The go-to guide to Mindvalley’s top (and free) personal development courses

There are moments in life when that nagging sense of a more purposeful life appears.

“Hello,” it says, stirring up something in your soul that you never knew existed. “There’s more to life than complacency.”

Much like Truman from The Truman Show, with the feeling of being boxed in. Or Peter from Office Space, whose days were “same sh*t, different day.” Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, even sang a song about it.

However, they didn’t have any personal development courses to get them through their provincial life.

Lucky for you, though, there are programs out there that can help you step out of the hum-drum of your life. And Mindvalley has some of the top ones—five here, specifically—for you to explore.

3 Most Important Questions—free quest

Self-improvement isn’t self-improvement if it doesn’t get you to look at your current state and how you’d like it to be. That’s the beauty of the 3 Most Important Questions (or 3 MIQs for short) Quest—it helps you gain clarity on why you’re here on this planet.

”It is a set of questions that get you to think and reflect on the life you want to create for yourself,” says Vishen, the trainer of this free Quest. Most importantly, it extracts you from what he calls ‘culturescape programming,’ the limiting beliefs or societal ideas that are bullsh*t but still hold true in this day and age. And the great thing is, it opens you up to so many more possibilities than you can ever imagine.

This methodology has been used by millions worldwide to overcome the limitations of traditional goal setting. You’ll only need 20 minutes a day for six days, and you’ll find yourself with the tools to discover your purpose and craft goals aligned with your core values.

Course duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

What you’ll learn:

• Find your true calling and set meaningful goals.
• Differentiate between means goals and end goals.
• Embrace continuous self-evolution.
• Achieve a balanced and impactful life.
• Turn your visions into reality.

About the trainer: Vishen is the founder of Mindvalley and a New York Times best-selling author. He has reimagined the human experience through his global education movement, impacting millions of students worldwide.

What the students are saying:

“I experienced a spiritual and mental change. I feel good, and for the first time in my life, I have a vision of where I want to take my life.” — Nicolas Becerra; Bogotá, Colombia

Becoming a Super Learner masterclass

“Where did I put those dadgum glasses again…”

“What’s your name again?”

“Crap, I forgot my wedding anniversary…”

These are only a handful of many instances where forgetfulness doesn’t work in your favor. But what’s great about the brain is, you can always improve it.

“Your memory, your focus, your creativity is not fixed like your shoe size,” says Jim Kwik, the trainer of this masterclass. In fact, research shows that brain training can significantly improve memory and cognitive abilities, even in older adults.

This free course is a prelude to the Superbrain Quest on Mindvalley. So if you’re looking to improve your mental clarity, enhance your brain performance, or accelerate your learning, this may just be one of the best personal development courses out there.

Course duration: 1 hour 27 minutes

What you’ll learn:

• Discover the big lie about your brain and unlock its full potential.
• Clear mental fog with brain-boosting foods and enhance your focus.
• Prime your brain for optimal performance with a perfect morning routine.
• Use a powerful memorization technique to never forget important details.
• Learn unconventional exercises to activate untapped areas of your brain.

About the trainer: Jim Kwik may have been known as “the boy with the broken brain” in his youth, but he’s now a renowned expert in speed-reading, memory improvement, and brain performance. So much so that he’s become a sought-after trainer for top organizations like Nike, Harvard, and Virgin.

What the students are saying: “I consistently got better grades and could remember little details as well. Even in conversations with people, I can remember their names and details about them.” — Sooni Mohammed, high school student; Toronto, Canada

How to Craft Your Own Extraordinary Life masterclass

What we’re often taught in terms of personal growth is to focus on one thing at a time. For example, if we want a job that we’re passionate about, we focus on our career. Or if we want the kind of love we read about in books, we focus on our relationships. And so on and so forth.

But little do many of us realize that all the aspects of our lives are connected. As Jon Butcher, the trainer of Mindvalley’s Lifebook Quest, says, “There is a powerful correlation between the warmth of your friendships, health, happiness, financial success, and the length of your life.” (To be more specific, there are 12 life categories that Jon and his wife, Missy, will help you find clarity in.)

While this free masterclass is a stepping stone to the Lifebook Quest, there is still tons of wisdom the Butcher’s impart. And understanding the premise of this unique approach ensures you achieve balance and fulfillment not only in one part of your life but across all aspects of your existence.

Course duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

What you’ll learn: 

• Discover your personal Life Quality Score and uncover what’s been holding you back.
• Identify the 3 Silent Saboteurs that hinder your goals and dreams.
• Create your deeply personal Lifebook to decode your true desires.
• Learn why focusing solely on career and wealth is a trap and what to do instead.
• Eliminate uncertainty and make decisions aligned with your true desires using a unique mind hack.

About the trainer: Jon and Missy Butcher are serial entrepreneurs and the masterminds behind the Lifebook program. They’ve leveraged their unique approach to life—prioritizing fulfillment across various dimensions—to build a fulfilling life many would deem “impossible.”

What the students are saying: “Before Lifebook, like most of us, I had started over so many times in so many things. I lacked the commitment and self-discipline to see a mission to the end. After completing Lifebook, I am just amazed at how easy everything is. I never have to use willpower to eat right, to workout, to work; it just happens. It is my identity, the core of who I am. I am amazing myself every second of the way.” — Karey Carol, computer customer support specialist; Nairobi, Kenya

True Manifesting From the Soul masterclass

If you’re familiar with The Secret, you may recognize Michael Bernard Beckwith. He’s one of the experts on it…And with good reason.

He knows what it’s like to live a life free from societal imprinting. He knows what it’s like to connect with what the soul truly desires. And he knows how mindfulness practices, which are a core component of manifesting, can enhance self-awareness and lead to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.

“If you are not consciously directing your life,” he says, “you will lose your footing and circumstances will decide for you.” And this is one of the top personal development courses where you’ll gain the tools and techniques to break free from limiting beliefs and cultivate a powerful alignment with your true desires.

Course duration: 1 hour 28 minutes

What you’ll learn:

• Why you can’t manifest the things you really want and how to overcome it.
• The difference between Manifesting and True Manifesting for lasting happiness.
• The 4 Stages of Spiritual Development and their impact on your awakening.
• How to surrender to your Soul’s grander vision and embrace new opportunities.
• Techniques for overcoming your biggest challenges through spiritual shortcuts.

About the trainer: Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, with a congregation of over 9,000 members. He is a renowned spiritual leader who has appeared on major platforms like The Oprah Show and PBS, spreading his transformative teachings globally.

What the students are saying: “I went into it with an open mind and I trusted the process. This class made my vision for life so clear to me. To impact the world and inspire people across the world.” — Nick Schultz, actor; Roseville, United States

Reconstructing Reality masterclass

“This is not a personal development class,” says Vishen. “This is a personal disruption class.” And it’s one of the top personal development courses online that teaches you how to go beyond a limited view of what’s possible.

“The aim here is to create people who are true visionaries,” says the founder of Mindvalley. Those are people who take the tools they’ve learned to fix, grow, and improve the world and uplift those around them.

And in this free masterclass, guided by Vishen, you’ll cultivate a growth mindset and explore techniques for operating at higher states of consciousness. This will ultimately help propel you towards a life of extraordinary possibilities and actively shape you reality.

Course duration: 1 hour 9 minutes

What you’ll learn:

• Determine your level of consciousness with a quickfire exercise.
• Shape your world through intuitive decision-making frameworks.
• Overcome thought patterns that hold you back with transformational mind hacks.
• Discover the side effects of expanding your consciousness, such as peace of mind and stronger relationships.
• Hack your happiness and master your emotions with cutting-edge neuroscience techniques.

About the trainer: Vishen’s a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Mindvalley. With over 15 years of experience in personal growth and transformation, he has dedicated his life to helping others unlock their true potential and achieve extraordinary success.

What the students are saying: “Through Be Extraordinary, I’ve been able to manifest some of my Most Important Questions: having experiences leading to growth that in turn allowed me to contribute to those around me. I plan to go back to the program now and apply these same principles to my love life and I am excited to see the results it will bring! There is truly no greater gift than investing in oneself, to create what you wish to become and share with the world!” — Monica Haynes, motion picture costumer, Local 705; Winnetka, United States

FAQ

How can I find the right personal development course for me?

No doubt, finding anything you’re unfamiliar with can be overwhelming…and that goes with personal development courses. With that said, though, here are a few things you can keep in mind during your research:

1. Identify your specific goals. Are you looking to improve your career? Boost your mental clarity? Maybe you’re seeking life coaching to find your purpose? 
2. Once you know your goals, find the courses that focus on those areas.
3. Look at the reviews and testimonials—see what people say.
4. Consider the expertise of the instructor.
5. Take advantage of free online learning. For instance, when you sign up for a free Mindvalley account, you can gain access to the first few lessons. That way, you can get a feel for the course content and teaching style before committing.

Remember, everyone’s journey is unique, but it all starts the same—with the first step.

What are the benefits of taking personal development courses?

Don’t be complacent, they say. Learn about yourself, they say. Be the best version of yourself, they say.

The thing is, “they” may have a point. There are plenty of plus points when it comes to doing better, being better.

As a matter of fact, a 2021 study found that people with higher levels of personal growth initiative “have clearer goals and formulate specific life plans according to life stages, making them more likely to achieve their goals.” What’s more, taking personal development courses can help you…

• Learn valuable skills and techniques, like time management, enhanced memory, and effective goal-setting, and
• Boost your confidence and motivation, which helps tackle challenges with a positive mindset.

So chances are, you’d no longer be looking at other people’s lives and wishing it were yours. Instead, you may just find that your life is amazing because you made it so.

What are some success stories of people who have taken personal development courses?

Check the internet, and you’ll likely come across countless stories of people who’ve taken personal development courses. In fact, Mindvalley Stories houses thousands of testimonials from students who’ve taken courses (be it the free ones or the quests themselves) on the transformational platform…

Like Elvis Seow, an entrepreneur from Singapore, who went through the 3 Most Important Questions Quest: “This journey has been a revelation. The course provided me with profound clarity on my life’s aspirations and the necessary steps to achieve them. More importantly, it instilled in me a deeper sense of purpose, guiding me to ways I can give back to society through kindness, love, and charity.”

…Or transformation coach, speaker, New York Times best-selling author, and trainer of Mindvalley’s Speak and Inspire Quest, Lisa Nichols, who says this about the Lifebook Quest: “Taking the Lifebook course was the absolute best decision I could have ever made. It was life-changing. Well, first it was life-giving, and then it was life-changing. I’ve never gone through a program that allowed me the space, the opportunity, the content, and the direction to so thoroughly orchestrate and navigate my future.”

…Or professional tennis player Bianca Andreescu, who’s a graduate of Vishen Lakhiani’s “Be Extraordinary” program in 2018. She tweeted, “Had an amazing experience at the Be Extraordinary Seminar in Downtown Toronto yesterday. One day, I would love to be part of this incredible team. What Mindvalley is doing for humanity is what we needed a long time ago. Respect.”

Awaken your unstoppable

There’s no doubt the rewards of taking personal development courses can be immeasurable. As Vishen says, “Your soul isn’t here to achieve. Your soul is here to grow.”

So if you’re looking at where to start, Mindvalley’s 3 Most Important Questions Quest is a great place. Six days is all you’ll need to learn how to set meaningful goals, achieve clarity, and embrace a growth mindset.

This is how legends are made. And it begins with a first step. 

Welcome in.