Book review – How to be brilliant

How to be brilliant – change your ways in 90 days! by Michael Heppell

Are you the sort of person who jumps out of bed early every Monday and shouts: ‘Yes, it’s a work day’? If so, you’ll really enjoy this book as it will help you feel even better about yourself. If you don’t feel that positive, but would like to, and respond well to being shouted at, then it will no doubt change your life – and in just 90 days.

The premise on which the book is based is sound enough: ‘Never do a job you don’t love. You spend a third of your life at work – make it a pleasure.’ The book vibrates with energy and confidence as it outlines a personal development regime for achieving major life alteration. Career change and development are just some of the areas tackled. The section on life balance for example, does not restrict itself to a discussion of how long you spend at the office. The actions advocated by the author are ones you must (not just ‘should’) take. There is no point in starting this book unless you’re willing to obey orders and go through with it, answering questions such as: ‘What type of friend are you? What sort of relationship do you have with your close family? Are you thinking about ways to make your society better or complaining that things aren’t what they used to be?’

And don’t think you can simply read and contemplate your shortcomings. Oh no – this book demands participation. ‘Just sitting there reading this information isn’t going to be enough… understanding something on an intellectual level is worthless. Life is about taking actions.’ OK, so you mentally agree to a demanding 90-day regime but there’s no relaxing afterwards. Readers with that attitude should heed the warning that this is not a one-off exercise. ‘You must work continuously. Every day, every week, every month.’

The author has a number of practical suggestions that could help some move closer to their ideal way of living and working. However, the overuse of large fonts barking statements such as TRY IS A WEAK WORD and WATCHING TV IS NOT RELAXING becomes increasingly irritating; the presentation of this book will not appeal to those who prefer a tranquil, more thoughtful approach to self-improvement. Some readers will no doubt respond to Heppell’s approach. Others will feel as if they are trapped in a small space with a loud, self-satisfied evangelist. It’s enough to convince you that being quietly and peacefully average is not such a bad thing after all.

Irene Krechowiecka is a career coach, author, and freelance journalist learning

"Some readers will no doubt respond to Heppell’s approach. Others will feel as if they are trapped in a small space with a loud, self-satisfied evangelist"