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"The Art of Being Brilliant" is a popular self-help book written by Dr. Andy Cope and Andy Whittaker, with illustrations by Amy Bradley.¹ It's known for its accessible, humorous, and practical approach to positive psychology and personal development.²

Key Themes and Message:

The central message of the book is that success and happiness aren't about dramatic change, but about identifying what genuinely works for you and then doing more of it. It emphasizes that you have the power to influence your own mood and outlook, and by doing so, you can significantly impact your work, relationships, and overall life.³

The authors, particularly Dr. Andy Cope who has a PhD in happiness, aim to make the science of positive psychology digestible and actionable.⁴ They challenge the idea that happiness is something that just happens to you, instead proposing that it's a skill you can cultivate.

Some core concepts and principles explored include:

• Positive Thinking: The book champions the idea that a positive mindset, while not a magic bullet, enables you to make the most of your abilities and face challenges more effectively than negativity.
• The 90/10 Principle: This suggests that 10% of life is made up of what happens to you, and the other 90% is decided by how you react to it.⁵ This highlights the power of personal response and responsibility.
• "2%ers" vs. "Mood Hoovers": The book introduces the concept of "2%ers" as highly positive, energetic individuals who actively choose their attitude, contrasting them with "mood hoovers" who drain energy with negativity.⁶ It encourages readers to aspire to be a "2%er."
• Bounce-Back-Ability (Resilience): The importance of being able to recover from setbacks and challenges.
• Setting HUGGs (Huge Unbelievably Great Goals):⁷ Encouraging ambitious goal setting that motivates and challenges.
• Playing to Your Strengths: Focusing on and developing what you are naturally good at, rather than solely trying to improve weaknesses.⁸
• The Power of Your Impact: Understanding how your mood and actions affect those around you.
• Addressing Modern Issues: Newer editions of the book have been updated to cover contemporary concerns like screen time, social media, anxiety, and resilience.⁹

Style and Format:

The book is characterized by its:

• Humorous and non-patronizing tone.
• Rich illustrations.¹⁰
• Case studies and inspiring quotes.¹¹
• Practical advice and questions designed to prompt self-reflection.¹²

It's often described as a "pep talk in your pocket" and aims to be a fun, engaging, and inspiring read that helps readers "feel brilliant" and "rock up in life as your best self."¹³