About this Course

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This course is an interdisciplinary look at how we can make each day the best day of our lives by examining the question, “How can you be your most brilliant, passionate self?” You will be joined on this journey by our animated host, Lewis!
You will envision your “perfect day” and then slowly deconstruct the elements of that day to better understand key elements such as finding your purpose, defining success, mental and physical health, the importance of community, and navigating risks and challenges. In addition, you  will hear stories from a diverse array of individuals, including students, doctors, teachers, professional storytellers, professional athletes, coaches, and others sharing their own journeys, communities, and sources of inspiration.

Finally, you will participate in the What’s Your Purpose? Project, utilizing storytelling techniques to share your own purpose and inspire other members of this global learning community to pursue theirs.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Beginner Level

No prerequisites needed!

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Reflect on the best moments of your life and describe connections between those moments.
Describe the personal qualities that represent your best self
Articulate what growth mindset and mindful compassion are and how they support self-improvement
Create a life purpose statement based on your best self and values

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

No prerequisites needed!

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.63/5 (87 Ratings)

Brilliant and Passionate Experts

University of Michigan

34,022 Learners

6 Courses

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating99%(5,369 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

The Best Day of My Life

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 24 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

The Brilliant, Passionate You2mThe Best Day of My Life1mBecoming Your Brilliant Passionate Self9mMy Best Day, with Dr. Okanlami4mMy Best Day, with Professor Sankaran2mBeing the Best Version of Yourself, with Aaron Gougis3m

6 readings

Course Overview5mHelp us learn more about you!10mImagine10m"Picturing the Best Day of Your Life" - A Letter from Lewis5mWelcome to Week 1, Lesson 21mA Brief Introduction to the Gamut Workbook10m

Week2

Week 2

5 hours to complete

What Do You Want to Be Known for on Earth?

5 hours to complete

15 videos (Total 95 min), 10 readings, 2 quizzes

15 videos

What Do You Want to Be Known for on Earth?1mPurpose: Find Your Why2mWho Am I?2mWhat Do I Value?3m7 Questions Exercise Introduction3mThree Questions about Purpose10mFeeding Your Soul5mDefining Yourself and Finding Success4mThe Odyssey Plan Activity4mOn Street Interviews - What is Success?1mWhat is Success?23mWhat is a Growth Mindset and How Can it Help You Succeed?14mMindful Self-Compassion 6mCreating a Personalized Action Plan - Overview1mCreating Your Action Plan9m

10 readings

You and Your Purpose5m"Reflecting on your Purpose" - A Letter from Lewis1mWelcome to Week 2, Lesson 22mDisclaimer for Feeding Your Soul Video10mHow Have You Redefined Your Life's Purpose Over Time? 2mOdyssey Plan Handout10mWelcome to Week 2, Lesson 32mIntroducing the Personalized Action Plan2mCrafting an Action Plan - A Letter From Lewis30m"What’s My Purpose?" - A Letter from Lewis5m

1 practice exercise

Module 2, Lesson 1 Quiz5m

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Feeling Your Best Self

3 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 66 min), 7 readings, 1 quiz

11 videos

Feeling Your Best Self1mThe Importance of Physical Fitness and Adaptive Sports6mStart with Om4mGratitude Journals4mThe Epidemic of Chronic Partial Sleep Deprivation6mTwo-Process Sleep Model7mSleep Duration1mKeep Going and Slow Down by Managing Your Energy3mVignettes on Sleep Deprivation1mBalancing Work, Play, and Love14mTake Each Day as Something Special14m

7 readings

Getting Back to Basics2m"Reflecting on Intent" - A Letter from Lewis2mReflecting on Sleep - A Letter from Lewis2mEnergy Audit Activity10mHow has physical and mental health impacted the quality of your life?2mDisclaimer for Take Each Day As Something Special Video10mThe Schema Exercise10m

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Building a Brilliant, Passionate Community

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 49 min), 7 readings, 1 quiz

9 videos

Building a Brilliant, Passionate Community1mIf You Want to Go Far, Go Together10mThinking About Communities: An Interview with Dr. McCray 9mCulture: It matters more than ever 3mIntroducing the GIVE Model5mIntroducing Strength Spotting4mLook for helper feelings in your culture 4mLearning from Your Community4mSee yourself through the eyes of others5m

7 readings

Introduction to Communities3mHow Do We Create Positive Cultures? - A Letter from Lewis2mA Deeper Dive into the GIVE Model10mWelcome to Module 4, Lesson 21mReflecting on Helper Feelings - A Letter from Lewis2mWhat’s important in a community? 2mWhat’s the Best Day of Your Life? - A Letter from Lewis10m

Reviews

4.6

59 reviews

5 stars
72.38%
4 stars
21.42%
3 stars
3.80%
2 stars
1.42%
1 star
0.95%

TOP REVIEWS FROM BRILLIANT, PASSIONATE YOU

by SPDec 17, 2020

A great class to come back to again and again --- stay inspired and experience the power of learning to transform lives! Thank you everyone for your inspirational lectures and recommended activities.

by DPMar 19, 2022

tons of great ideas and practices on becoming your best self.

by JLMar 5, 2022

It was great! I hope to use the videos I emailed myself with my students and also for presentations I will give duringduringy education journey.

by ACFeb 25, 2021

Very informative and motivating class. thanks for the opportunity. highly recommend this course

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Brilliant, Passionate You