The Buddha and the Badass

“What if your purpose, your work, and your life could align seamlessly to make you feel inspired and unstoppable? It all starts by activating the Buddha and the badass within.”

1. Discovering Your Foundational Values

Foundational values shape how we see the world and make decisions, often operating beneath our awareness. These values are formed during our early years through personal experiences. By discovering them, you unlock the "Buddha" side of yourself, allowing your inner self to guide you toward purpose and alignment in life.

The author emphasizes that foundational values act like a personal constitution, amended only by transformative events. By understanding these values, you gain clarity on what truly matters, helping you to pursue a career or mission that resonates with your deepest beliefs. Without this understanding, it’s easy to end up in roles or situations that feel empty or unsatisfying.

To uncover your values, try an origin story exercise. Reflect on key life experiences, especially impactful or painful ones. Write these down with details about what happened, how you felt, and what lessons you took away. The values hidden in these stories will guide you to live a life powered by intent rather than accident.

Examples

• Faced bullying and realized the importance of compassion and diversity.
• Grew up in poverty and developed a commitment to financial security.
• Witnessed kindness from a stranger, instilling a lifelong belief in the power of generosity.

2. Attract Like-Minded People by Sharing Your Purpose

Surrounding yourself with the right collaborators requires communicating your values and “big why” clearly. It’s not just about the work you’re doing; it’s about why it matters. People are naturally drawn to shared values and meaningful missions.

Companies like Apple and Nike succeed because of their underlying “big why,” such as Apple challenging conventions or Nike motivating athletes. Similarly, your own personal mission and values can attract partners who believe in what you stand for. Sharing this vision through a manifesto gives others a roadmap to align with your purpose.

A manifesto is a public declaration of your beliefs, methods, and vision. By outlining what’s important to you and your long-term goals, you make it easier for the right people to connect with you and help achieve your vision. Pair this with a clear plan and timeline, such as envisioning the milestones for the next three years, and you’ll inspire others to join your journey.

Examples

• Apple’s “Think Different” philosophy influences its workforce and products.
• Writing a manifesto such as “I stand for eco-friendly innovation” can attract collaborators with similar values.
• Outlining a three-year vision can unify a team, creating shared goals.

3. Build Connections to Foster Joy and Productivity

Social bonds are vital for success, happiness, and progress in any group effort. Teams that know how to connect on a personal level tend to be more productive and joyful. Whether working professionally or personally, fostering collaboration is key.

Humans thrive in tribes; this inherent need for connection boosts creativity and intelligence. Think of workplaces where friends work together—studies show these teams are up to seven times more engaged than those lacking strong social ties. By giving people ways to bond, you can boost both morale and performance.

Create environments that encourage interaction. Introduce small rituals like sharing daily gratitude, or organize events where people can connect. Offer safe spaces for communication, like group chats to share challenges and triumphs. Be vulnerable first—opening up about personal matters fosters authenticity and gives others permission to be themselves.

Examples

• Gallup's survey found friends at work increased engagement by 7x.
• Gratitude circles allow coworkers to connect and share positivity.
• Sharing personal stories via group chats strengthens bonds.

4. Pursue a Mission That Leaves a Positive Impact

When driven by missions that improve the world, you unlock more meaning and fulfillment in your work. Such goals motivate you and also inspire those who join your cause. The author calls these Humanity Plus missions.

Consider organizations that focus on transformative goals. Google aims to make information universally accessible—a powerful objective that drives its teams. When your mission aligns with creating positive change, you not only create better outcomes but attract people who share a passion for making a difference.

If you’re not in a position to take on world-changing missions, consider taking a bold, values-driven stand. Even small businesses or personal brands can commit to promoting good, whether it’s sustainable practices or supporting social causes. Taking a stand shows commitment to values and resonates deeply with others.

Examples

• Google’s mission to provide universal access to information.
• A T-shirt designer promotes positivity using empowering designs.
• 66% of consumers favor brands aligned with political or social stands.

5. Big Goals Lead to Big Results

Scaling your vision can lead to surprisingly rewarding results. Just like fleas in a jar stop jumping when limited, small goals limit what humans think they can achieve. Bold visions, however, inspire action and long-term innovation.

Big goals inspire people to think and act differently. They connect with those who want to build the future alongside you. For instance, Richard Branson challenges his peers to take on big goals, knowing the inspiration it creates. To make bold visions reality, break them into actionable steps and allow room for failure, as learning opportunities emerge from mistakes.

Setting measurable goals and envisioning your future are tools for achieving significant results. Aim to excite and challenge others around you to dream big as well—it fosters collective growth.

Examples

• Google thrives even though 40% of its projects fail—its successes outweigh losses.
• Richard Branson’s bold challenge inspired a friend to set a swimming record.
• Imagining a bold ten-year plan inspires long-term action.

6. Foster Unrestricted Communication

When people communicate openly and freely, collaboration thrives. The author introduces a "unified brain" concept, where teams function as synchronized minds. This is best achieved by removing rigid hierarchies and encouraging rapid decision-making.

Pixar exemplifies this principle. Their decision to allow direct communication at any level helps foster creativity without barriers. Similarly, quick, responsive messaging systems like WhatsApp or Slack facilitate fast, collective problem-solving. Teams that embrace these practices often produce superior results.

Adopting this approach means giving teams freedom to voice ideas. Encouraging quick action, even when imperfect, cultivates an environment that thrives on experimentation. This balance enables faster learning and innovation.

Examples

• Pixar’s open communication policy fosters groundbreaking ideas.
• WhatsApp shortens decision-making times to minutes, improving team flow.
• Encouraging swift action inspires teams to grow and adapt faster.

7. Find Resilience by Redefining Significance

Feeling "enough" as you are removes pressure for approval and makes you more resilient. By rejecting societal expectations and prioritizing self-acceptance, you can design a life shaped by your own goals—not others’ standards.

People who confidently express themselves despite setbacks achieve the "badass" mindset. Develop this quality through habits like self-love—affirmations in the mirror—and gratitude for your positive traits. The focus then shifts toward creating a life aligned with your values, rather than seeking external validation.

Reflecting on personal dreams and designing lifestyle goals helps create this alignment. Whether it’s choosing a career or structuring your day-to-day activities, taking ownership of your life strengthens identity and fulfillment.

Examples

• Saying “I love you” to yourself fosters self-value and confidence.
• A shift away from a grandfather-advised career in computer science led the author to joy and fulfillment.
• Writing out personal dreams helps reveal the life you should build.

8. Growth Takes Priority Over Success

True fulfillment comes not from success, but from constant personal growth. Shifting focus from achievements to transformative learning ensures lasting growth in all facets of life.

Transformations are irreversible moments of growth, like learning to ride a bike. These happen through either painful experiences or proactive learning. To grow intentionally, create routines for personal growth—whether improving sleep, meditating on compassion, or practicing speed-reading.

Crafting a personal transformation routine enhances mind and body. In professional settings, this can mean allowing flexibility in schedules or allocating resources toward wellness and training. When individuals focus on growth, the effects ripple into their professional and personal impacts.

Examples

• Meditating on forgiveness opens the heart to ongoing healing.
• Investing in sleep quality improves daily productivity and emotional states.
• Flexing morning schedules allows space for personal progress.

9. Transform By Changing How You See Yourself

Your identity shapes your reality. Embracing a vision of your ideal self changes your brain’s perception of who you are. Once you see yourself in a new light, your behaviors and habits naturally follow.

To cultivate a new identity, begin by identifying a future version of yourself. Outline what this ideal self looks like and what their habits include. Practice Lofty Questions—a technique to pose empowering questions to yourself, like “Why am I so creative?” This reprograms your mind to adopt the positive beliefs you want to embody.

Regular journaling, reflection, and meditation on these perspectives creates a strong image of this future identity. Over time, thinking like this ideal self will help you become them in action, creating a life that mirrors your vision.

Examples

• Journaling about your perfect day helps clarify identity goals.
• Asking, “Why am I so creative?” primes your brain to find evidence.
• Meditation on identity reinforces intentions and builds belief patterns.

Takeaways

1. Create a morning growth routine—prioritize mindfulness, physical well-being, and learning.
2. Write a personal manifesto to clarify your values and attract the right collaborators.
3. Use Lofty Questions daily to strengthen empowering beliefs and transform your identity.