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How to Be a Well Being: Unofficial Rules to Live Every Day
***BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS - FINALIST 2021 - PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELLBEING***
Make the Most of Every Single Day Uncertainty, instability, pressure, anxiety and now pandemic pandemonium . . . the world is hell bent on robbing us of our wellbeing. It's time to fight back. Twenty-Two Rules for Life that Just work It's time to ditch the tired, old wisdom, and take life into your own hands. We've all fallen for the mantra that 'you only live once,' but it's a big fat lie. The truth is that you get to live – really LIVE – every single day of your life. Based on the wisdom of Positive Psychology, How to be a WELL BEING teaches you It's time to raise your personal bar from mental health to mental WEALTH. 'Memento mori' – remember death. No more messing around. No more wasting time. A new world calls for new rules. It's time to re-focus on what's most important and to take massive strides towards your true potential. 'I forget what came before sliced bread, but whatever it was, this is better than that.'
―Mylee from Swindon
Make the Most of Every Single Day Uncertainty, instability, pressure, anxiety and now pandemic pandemonium . . . the world is hell bent on robbing us of our wellbeing. It's time to fight back. Twenty-Two Rules for Life that Just work It's time to ditch the tired, old wisdom, and take life into your own hands. We've all fallen for the mantra that 'you only live once,' but it's a big fat lie. The truth is that you get to live – really LIVE – every single day of your life. Based on the wisdom of Positive Psychology, How to be a WELL BEING teaches you It's time to raise your personal bar from mental health to mental WEALTH. 'Memento mori' – remember death. No more messing around. No more wasting time. A new world calls for new rules. It's time to re-focus on what's most important and to take massive strides towards your true potential. 'I forget what came before sliced bread, but whatever it was, this is better than that.'
―Mylee from Swindon
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2020
18 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 2, 2020
My natural inclination on encountering a self-help book is to cringe - but I have to admit I rather enjoyed How to Be a Well Being by Andy Cope, Jim Pouliopoulos and Sanjeev Sandhu. It's amiable, quirky and doesn't take itself too seriously (a common fault of many such books).
Inside we find 22 (a strange number) lessons or rules for life, each getting a short section that gives us some detail, some thoughts on addressing the lesson and often a story of personal experience from one of the authors. Although the authors touch on spirituality occasionally, there is no resorting to woo, mindfulness and other such stuff (despite the dubious term 'wellbeing') but, rather, sensible observations on life.
One way to look at these 22 sections is a series of short sermons for those who don't go to church - little contemplations on something important to our lives. It's interesting how many of the rules are obvious. We all really know them. So we get, for example, things like 'seize the day' (without using those exact words), 'life isn't fair', the benefits of saying 'thank you' and the importance of getting enough sleep and eating well most of the time. Another way of looking at these rules is as the set from which most people choose their New Year resolutions (if they have them). Unfortunately, of course, most who do make New Year resolutions break them pretty quickly, which I suppose is why there needs to be more than one self-help book in the world.
Overall, then, it may be obvious stuff - but it's obvious stuff most of ignore much of the time. And it can't be a bad thing to get occasional reminders of the little things which can genuinely make our life better.
On the downside, I found the authors' relentless jokiness rather wearing. The book has the same tone as something like Horrible Histories, which works well for children, but can feel a bit heavy going for an adult reader. Also, while I'm happy to give the book 3 out of 5 stars, which is probably the most I would ever give a self-help book, I very nearly reduced that to two stars for one reason. One of the authors, Andy Cope, has a PhD. Where the other authors refer to themselves as Sanj and Pouli, Cope calls himself 'Dr Andy'. I'm sorry, that just feels uncomfortable to read - it's hard to trust someone who calls himself Dr Andy.
One other disappointment. The book opens by tell us this is a book for NOW (sic) because the world has changed due to the pandemic. I had hoped that meant the rules would give specific reflection on the impact of coronavirus on our lives and how to deal with it. In practice this seems to have been bolted on at the last minute as the pandemic isn't mentioned again.
Do you need this book? Quite possibly, because we are so bad at picking up on these simple but really helpful points in our life. Will it change the way you live your life? Experience suggests, no. But it's worth having a go.
Inside we find 22 (a strange number) lessons or rules for life, each getting a short section that gives us some detail, some thoughts on addressing the lesson and often a story of personal experience from one of the authors. Although the authors touch on spirituality occasionally, there is no resorting to woo, mindfulness and other such stuff (despite the dubious term 'wellbeing') but, rather, sensible observations on life.
One way to look at these 22 sections is a series of short sermons for those who don't go to church - little contemplations on something important to our lives. It's interesting how many of the rules are obvious. We all really know them. So we get, for example, things like 'seize the day' (without using those exact words), 'life isn't fair', the benefits of saying 'thank you' and the importance of getting enough sleep and eating well most of the time. Another way of looking at these rules is as the set from which most people choose their New Year resolutions (if they have them). Unfortunately, of course, most who do make New Year resolutions break them pretty quickly, which I suppose is why there needs to be more than one self-help book in the world.
Overall, then, it may be obvious stuff - but it's obvious stuff most of ignore much of the time. And it can't be a bad thing to get occasional reminders of the little things which can genuinely make our life better.
On the downside, I found the authors' relentless jokiness rather wearing. The book has the same tone as something like Horrible Histories, which works well for children, but can feel a bit heavy going for an adult reader. Also, while I'm happy to give the book 3 out of 5 stars, which is probably the most I would ever give a self-help book, I very nearly reduced that to two stars for one reason. One of the authors, Andy Cope, has a PhD. Where the other authors refer to themselves as Sanj and Pouli, Cope calls himself 'Dr Andy'. I'm sorry, that just feels uncomfortable to read - it's hard to trust someone who calls himself Dr Andy.
One other disappointment. The book opens by tell us this is a book for NOW (sic) because the world has changed due to the pandemic. I had hoped that meant the rules would give specific reflection on the impact of coronavirus on our lives and how to deal with it. In practice this seems to have been bolted on at the last minute as the pandemic isn't mentioned again.
Do you need this book? Quite possibly, because we are so bad at picking up on these simple but really helpful points in our life. Will it change the way you live your life? Experience suggests, no. But it's worth having a go.
March 28, 2021
Love this book. I have dipped in to it chapter by chapter, over the last month, reading a bit and digesting it. It’s going to be one of those books I come back to time and time again, to check the rules for life... I think my take home from this book is about being present, living in the here and now. It’s about accepting who we are, the cracks, the breakages. It’s about taking time away and switching off our phones and social media. It’s also questions whether busy is right, with a very funny story, and all the way through I was actually muttering the punchline, which was reassuring that I could actually see the wood for the trees.
Well written with humour and love. Choose happiness but also sit with other emotions, because they have to be experienced too. Love is tough, hard, difficult, but we can choose to be positive and change our hardwired negative bias.
Well written with humour and love. Choose happiness but also sit with other emotions, because they have to be experienced too. Love is tough, hard, difficult, but we can choose to be positive and change our hardwired negative bias.
December 16, 2024
This book has been revolutionary. It’s not even because the authors have told me anything I hadn’t heard before, but it’s the WAY in which they conveyed their 22 “unofficial rules to LIVE every day.”
I have been raving about this book at work, I have taken so many notes, tabbed many pages and even took time to look into their website “Art of Brilliance” to see what courses and workshops they offer so I can promote their services at work.
I have been looking at life a little differently since starting this book and I am so glad that I came across this book in a charity shop, it was clearly meant to be!
I would highly recommend this book. It felt like they were talking directly to me, it was such an easy read with enough detail for your brain to not stray away.
If you aren’t a usual “self help book” reader like me but want to start, read this book!
I have been raving about this book at work, I have taken so many notes, tabbed many pages and even took time to look into their website “Art of Brilliance” to see what courses and workshops they offer so I can promote their services at work.
I have been looking at life a little differently since starting this book and I am so glad that I came across this book in a charity shop, it was clearly meant to be!
I would highly recommend this book. It felt like they were talking directly to me, it was such an easy read with enough detail for your brain to not stray away.
If you aren’t a usual “self help book” reader like me but want to start, read this book!
November 14, 2020
To pick you up and remind you of the importance of you
I bought this book when I was feeling low and lost. I’m a fan of “The Art of Being Brilliant” team, I knew I didn’t deserve to be feeling low or lost, but I needed some help to bring me out of that funk and I had a feeling this would do it. And it did. It lifted me up and reminded me that I have choices, my future is within my power by setting my mind in the right way. I normally delete a book from my Kindle once read, but this is one of those I will forever dip in and out of when I need a boost or a timely reminder that my life is up to me, so live it in the best way and love every minute (or learn from it when you don’t but move on anyway)!
I bought this book when I was feeling low and lost. I’m a fan of “The Art of Being Brilliant” team, I knew I didn’t deserve to be feeling low or lost, but I needed some help to bring me out of that funk and I had a feeling this would do it. And it did. It lifted me up and reminded me that I have choices, my future is within my power by setting my mind in the right way. I normally delete a book from my Kindle once read, but this is one of those I will forever dip in and out of when I need a boost or a timely reminder that my life is up to me, so live it in the best way and love every minute (or learn from it when you don’t but move on anyway)!
August 13, 2020
This should be required life reading for everyone; the young, not so young and young at heart. I’d even go so far as to say it should be on every school book list. After having only read a few pages, I was smiling so much and nodding my head, I could’ve been mistaken for a bobble doll. It is hands down the nicest book I’ve read so far this year.
Yes, I love it - so much so that on finishing it, I’ve turned it round and started again 😉 takeaways from it so far (without spoiling it for you) and I’m sure there’ll be more ... I now happily consider myself a wrong way around IKEA, toothpaste squeezing, knowing the importance of doors kinda person. 💫🎉⭐️
Yes, I love it - so much so that on finishing it, I’ve turned it round and started again 😉 takeaways from it so far (without spoiling it for you) and I’m sure there’ll be more ... I now happily consider myself a wrong way around IKEA, toothpaste squeezing, knowing the importance of doors kinda person. 💫🎉⭐️
March 25, 2021
Another well written, accessible book which has the intent to make a real difference. Wellbeing should be at the core of our daily routines and this book offers tips and perspectives as to the importance of doing so. Another superb read. My one slight criticism is the content shares similarities with a previous book in the series and I was expecting new content. That said reminding me of another great book and great tips is a good thing.
April 21, 2025
How to Be a Well Being is an easy, uplifting read with clear, practical advice for living a happier life. The authors keep things simple and relatable, making it perfect for anyone looking to boost their well-being without getting overwhelmed. It’s full of good points that everyone could benefit from. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2022
A little bit to tongue in cheek for me, there are some really good points in this, that deserve a greater detail than they give it.
This book reminds me of a school project I did back when I was 14, I thought it was hilarious 😂 and everybody else thought it was at best mildly amusing!!
This book reminds me of a school project I did back when I was 14, I thought it was hilarious 😂 and everybody else thought it was at best mildly amusing!!
November 8, 2023
This book has some great tips and advice for people on how to after their well-being, and I do like the comedy element to this book, it makes the information more understandable and real.
September 9, 2023
Really cute book with great digestible life lessons. Some were a little clique, but the authors did a great job of not making it feel that way. A great book gift for someone in a rut who you want to help, but not give a lengthy self-help book that they won’t finish.
September 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews