The Overthinker's Guide to Making Decisions: How to Make Decisions without Losing Your Mind

by Joseph Nguyen

A companion to the New York Times bestseller, Don’t Believe Everything You Think

We always intuitively know what to do deep down. It’s only when we’re clouded by racing thoughts (driven by anxiety and external influences) that we get stuck and don’t know what to do. Your intuition will always take care of you when you trust it.

Every single day, those who suffer from anxiety and racing thoughts have a singularly challenging time with something we all have to make decisions. Whether big or small, getting to the other side of indecision with peace and clarity is something we all crave, but some of us have a very hard time getting there. Fear and doubts crowd in, making any action impossible.

Just as Joseph Nguyen has provided relief to hundreds of thousands of readers through Don’t Believe Everything You Think, he now invites us to move beyond intellectual understanding into practical application.


Original essay by the author. Exercises that help the reader frame the decision, identify their fears, get to the route cause of these feelings, unlock their intuition, and then make a decision. Select poetry by the author plus inspirational quotes from notable people about the art and philosophy of making decisions.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Audiobook, Personal Development

192 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Amanda NEVER MANDY · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Your peace does not need to be sacrificed for someone else’s comfort.”

I didn’t love the journaling/worksheet shit, but I loved everything else. It is a bit repetitive, and it doesn’t need to be as long as it is. I know many will gripe about those things.

I would recommend this book to experienced self-helpers looking for a voice to reassure them that they are on the right path. It really is that hard to make yourself a priority. People like to fight against it and make you feel awful for the decisions that you make. Stay true. I promise it is worth it.

“Those who truly love you want your authentic happiness, not your compliance.”

Three stars to a book that gave me the boost I needed.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

can’t decide how I feel about this book.

says a lot about how it failed to achieve what the title sets out.

[Dr. B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could’ve easily been a blog post instead of a full book!

I really wanted to like this book, but the constant repetition drove me crazy. While the tone is friendly and easy to read, there’s very little real value. If you’re looking for something short and to the point, this isn’t it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. It’s a short but insightful read that encouraged me to take a closer look at how and why I make the decisions I do, and what’s influencing that process. I found myself highlighting 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 statements that genuinely resonated with me.

Yes, there’s some repetition throughout, but that didn’t bother me at all. In fact, I think there’s real value in it. Sometimes hearing the same ideas phrased in different ways helps them truly sink in.

The bulk of the book (about 60%) is dedicated to guided worksheet space, walking you through the TRUST decision-making framework. The same exercise is repeated 50 times, allowing you to apply it to multiple real-life decisions, big or small. The final section includes low-stakes exercises to practice making choices with less pressure, which I found really helpful.

Overall, I found this book both practical and grounding. Joseph offers a gentle, self-aware approach that brought me a lot of clarity and awareness around my own decision-making habits.

Special thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Authors Equity for the gifted copy

[Heather Daughrity · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first third of this book receives five stars. The pages are full of gentle yet firm guidance on why we choose based on fear and simple ways to change our mindset. I found much of the information and instructions to be inspiring and helpful.

The second third of the book is mostly workbook pages the reader is intended to use daily, weekly, or whenever a difficult decision pops up in their lives. This section contains a lot of repeated information from the first third of the book. Roughly half of these "worksheets" are the same exact preface and questions, intended to be filled out as needed (there is also a QR code to download and print these worksheets).

While I found the information and guidance on the first third of the book useful, I was annoyed that so much of the book was simply repeated instructions and questions.

If you're looking for a short introduction followed by a workbook format, you might enjoy this one. If you're looking for deep psychological writing and scientific understanding of the curse of overthinking, look elsewhere.

[Elisabeth Aubut · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book offers helpful insights, although not revolutionary, into how fear and perfectionism lead overthinkers to struggle with decision-making. I appreciated the reminder that clarity often comes after we start moving through small, imperfect decisions, as well as the practical tools and self-talk prompts at the end. The reframing of “good” and “bad” outcomes was also helpful, acknowledging that difficult paths can be blessings in disguise. Though written from a secular, humanistic perspective, it still encouraged me to reflect on trusting God more in the outcomes of my imperfect decisions.

[Krystal Myrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot better in physical form. Do I think it will help me make decisions? Meh. Will I remember things from it? Yes, possibly. I am glad to have reread it.

[Oz Lubling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book pure gold. The message is profound and applicable to some many people I know. I think the point of this being a book and not a blog post is so you can use it as a reference time and time again. I definitely plan to do that. highly recommended!

[Liam Manesh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went in expecting this book to back up its claims with evidence and research, but it didn’t. It’s split into two parts: the first third lays out a framework for making the “right” decision, and the remaining two thirds is framed as a workbook to reflect on (and “reinvent”) your decision-making.



Unfortunately, I found both sections very repetitive. I also wish it leaned on actual research, the kind you’d expect from a title in this category. The workbook portion especially felt padded; it could’ve been condensed into a few pages without all the empty space left for writing answers.



Content-wise, the central idea is that we overthink out of fear, not thoughtful consideration, and that fear is often rooted in needing to prove we’re “good enough”, rather than in the real consequences of the decision. The book encourages shifting attention from fear to intuition (classic “What if I fall?” to “What if I fly?”). It also argues that focusing on fear strengthens it, because “attention is the architect of reality”. Instead, you’re encouraged to focus on the upside: growth, possibility, and expansion, and to distil dilemmas down to the “root decision” (for example, quitting your job isn’t about making your boss happy or sad; it’s about staying vs leaving).



The book introduces two frameworks:



SAGE


Serenity: Which choice will bring me the deepest peace?
Alignment: Which choice aligns with the person I want to become?
Growth: Which choice will help me grow the most?
Emotion: Which choice is driven by love and abundance rather than fear?


TRUST


Take five deep breaths
Reveal the root decision
Uncover the fear, and the cost of listening to it
Shift from fear to intuition
Take the smallest possible action


Overall, there are a couple of useful prompts here, but the lack of evidence and the repetition made it feel longer than it needed to be. The best takeaway is the idea of not tying decisions too tightly to outcomes, treating outcomes as a by-product of growth, and using SAGE as a compass rather than obsessing over consequences.

[Mireya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Authors Equity for the ARC copy. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

This book is supposed to help those of us that think and think and think about a decision for hours, imagining all possibilities and more. AKA, the overthinkers. This book will give out a detailed guide, with exercises and an introductory part, all divided in four sections to follow when making decisions both big and small.

At least, that's in theory and what the book's page summarizes. Yet, it isn't exactly what is found in there. Sure, the first two sections, are the introduction, the talking about overthinking, about how to try to make decisions without going at it for ages but more with instinct or in a few moments, instead of going through all the possible scenarios. Nguyen talks about why this might happen, fear of wrongness, and such, and gives a little introduction to the future exercises the book will go through to help the reader.

So, sure, that first two sections were pretty interesting, they give valuable advice and I even took note of some stuff, yet the book failed for me when it reached the next two sections: the exercises to help with the making decisions aspect. Why? Repetitiveness, mainly. Meaning, that the book gave out 4-5 different exercises with minor goals to amount to the bigger goal of decision-making, and then just copy and pasted then to do any time we're taking a decision. I'm not saying they're not helpful, just, that I expected more variety.

All in all, the theoretical section of this book is quite helpful, and for some people, I'm sure that even the whole book can change their ways. While I leave this book not being a fan, I can accept its potential and how it can influence some way for the better.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read via audiobook, about 1 hour of the book, another on a conversation with the author. 

I think there's some good ideas in here and I appreciate that it didn't drag on. Very Buddhist-informed for Western audience. Turned me all the way off for quoting Tony Robbins though.


Here's basically the book:

When overthinking (ie anxious) take a few deep breaths, zero in on what the root decision you're thinking about is and get rid of the "white noise" - think about your fears around it, potential peace it could bring, then take a small step toward the goal. (Example given is you want to leave your job but worried about coworkers being upset but the root question is about leaving the job)

Decisions should be made toward what gives you peace, what aligns with who you are, what helps you grow, what is driven by love not fear (Donnie Darko entering the chat)


That's pretty much it. Simple, but not bad advice

[Victoria Fairchild · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Overthinker’s Guide to Making Decisions is a wonderfully supportive read for anyone who tends to get stuck in their thoughts. Joseph Nguyen writes with an easy, calming voice that makes even the most tangled mental habits feel manageable. His insights are simple to understand, beautifully explained, and surprisingly empowering.

What I loved most is how the book gently guides you toward trusting yourself more. The tools and perspectives he shares feel practical and encouraging—you can start using them right away, and they really do make everyday choices feel lighter and less stressful. It’s the kind of book that brings clarity without pressure and confidence without overwhelm.

A thoughtful, reassuring companion for anyone wanting to make decisions with more peace and ease. This is a book you’ll want to keep nearby and revisit whenever your mind starts spiraling.

[Sarah G. · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5-
I went into this book excited to hear this author out, especially because I am a massive overthinker myself. However, upon reading this book, I was wildly dissapointed to find out that it's all the things I've heard over the years recycled and bounded into a book.
I know, that part is mostly on me, and it honestly pains me to rate this book this low.
I got the audiobook of this, and 50% is where the book ended. Unfortunately, I did not care for the conversation with Yung Pablo at the end of it. I felt as if I was pushing myself through the writing, and did not want to push myself through the conversation. I'm sure it was a nice addition for those who enjoyed the contents of the book.
I'm hoping 2026 is the year where I can finally find a self-help book that will not make me fall asleep and does not contain the same 50 bits of knowledge.

[Alex Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure that I should really count this one towards my reading goal. This is mostly a workbook with exercises and reflective prompts. While not what I was expecting when I purchased the book, the prompts feel like a fun way to push myself in the real world.

The actual book portion is very short. Similar to Don’t Believe Everything You Think, the writing style is a bit poetic and philosophical. Much of the key points focus on overcoming fear and the emotional weight behind decision making.

It doesn’t reinvent the wheel but what it does, is still important. It says the hard part out loud. If you feel like you drown in the weight of your own decisions then the philosophy and exercises that this book provides may be worth your time.

[Muaz Erdem Yiğit · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are books you wish would never end, and then there are books where you find yourself asking, "Was all this length really necessary?" Unfortunately, this book falls squarely into the second category.

The author actually holds a gem of an idea. It is solid, valuable, and thought-provoking. However, it hasn't been fleshed out enough to support the spine of a full-length book. Instead, the content feels diluted.

The fine line between "explaining" a topic and "stretching" it has definitely been crossed here. Had this been a punchy blog post or a threaded Twitter/X, it could have been brilliant. But as a book, it suffers from a severe case of repetition.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had expected this book to be more of a research-based, informative work. It is more of a self-help workbook, with an introduction with a common sense explanation of a system to analyze your personal decision-making followed by journaling worksheets to help you explore your patterns and apply the strategies. This seems to be a useful tool, but I think it would be more effective if used in conjunction with a therapist to help you process more deeply.

Thank you to Authors Equity, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this work.

[Deep Frey · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is some good content in this book... the role of fear in decision-making... thinking about others reactions versus what's best for us. I even thought some of the exercises in the latter portion of the book were interesting. however, I found the advice of following your heart or your intuition to be simplistic. as a spiritual person, I found it hard to completely detach decision-making from my relationship with God. maybe I browsed the wrong aisle in the library.

[Meg Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fluff for me. No substance, and contradicted itself within the same chapter at times. I wanted more from this book - it’s “worksheet” type formats for the second half or so.

The bits on intuition too were just not helpful for me anyway. It’s sort of embed in the book philosophy too, ‘you’ll know what the right decision is.’ I enjoyed the stoic elements and the idea that you should base decisions on the life you want to create for yourself.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of this book is great; I ended up highlighting a lot of statements and the quotes in the book were really good as well. The second part of the book is very repetitive and boring, but could be good for some as journaling prompts, this part just wasn't for me.

Thank you to Net Galley, and Authors Equity for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[luciddreamer99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

In large part an activity book, but I still like it. As someone who is very indecisive and overthinks everything, I appreciate the advice in this book. Much like the author's first book, this volume offers simple, yet effective, maxims. Overall, I'd recommend this book to fans of self-help books, with the caveat that there is work to be done in many of the sections, though it could help you.

[Katie Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a whole, this wasn’t my most favorite or impactful book. However, the bits I did take away were very interesting and I believe useful for anxiety and decision-making. Focusing on positivity and embracing the unknown are two essential practices. I listened to the audiobook and the conversation at the end was the most impactful.

[Arne van Batenburg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dug into this one after a long break from self-help books, but it wasn’t what I expected. Single concepts are explained through the repetition of multiple metaphors which undermines their effectiveness. The lack of emotion and real-world examples prevent an “aha” moment, even though the lessons and principles are sound.

[Austin Scarpino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent first half, great tools and steps to navigate big decisions. Second half of the book was basically a worksheet to fill out and use the tools for future decisions. Definitely something I may use in the future.

[Misrab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an evening read and worth it.

Contains some simple truths that really ought to be a standard part of schooling in society or at home, and are helpful to state explicitly, even just as a reminder.

[Someya · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a couple interesting frameworks mentioned in the book, but most of it reads as repetitive ChatGPT AI slop which I could’ve prompted myself if I wanted to. That’s not what I want from the books I read.

[Libby Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Attention is the architect of your reality.”

More workbook-y than I had hoped for, but still a very worthy read for its pillars of truth about indecision=fear. I felt a little braver and bolder after reading it!

[Desiree Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this book really made me re-think how I actually think, lol. But in overall I would really recommend this book if you’re an over thinker, it helps you come to terms why you over think. It also helped me find a part of myself that I didn’t think I can be.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it provided noything I already knew, this quick book did remind me why some overthink decisions (people like me). I enjoyed the brevity and actually did a few of the "tiny acts of self-trust" at the end of the book.

[Power In Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of worst book of 2025

[Rachel Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was just what I needed to give me clarity on a decision. very short but powerful