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

by Joseph Nguyen

Features a bonus conversation with bestselling poet and philosopher Yung Pueblo.

New York Times Bestseller!

From the author of the international bestseller Don't Believe Everything You Think comes a companion guide that transforms the paralyzing cycle of overthinking into clear, intuitive decision-making.

Your brain is wired to overthink decisions—not because something's wrong with you, but because you care deeply about making the right choice.

If you've ever found yourself trapped in endless loops of "what if," analyzing every option to exhaustion, or seeking everyone's advice while still feeling lost... this book is your way out.

The Overthinker's Guide to Making Decisions breaks new ground where "just trust your gut" advice has failed you. Unlike traditional approaches that leave you stranded between endless analysis and vague intuition, this book provides a counterintuitive system that bypasses the overthinking loop entirely.

This isn't about making perfect choices. It's about making aligned ones from a place of clarity instead of chaos.

This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how
Identify the surprising neurological root of overthinking and how to stop mental spirals before they hijack your mindApply the step-by-step TRUST framework that walks you through any decision, leaving you with absolute clarity on exactly what to doUse the revolutionary SAGE method to break through analysis paralysis in minutes, transforming overwhelm into a single, clear choiceInstantly distinguish between your intuition and fear when making any decisionSilence external opinions and reconnect with your inner wisdom so you hear your own voice louder than anyone else'sTransform paralyzing fear into psychological freedom, creating space for choices that were previously unimaginableEnd the exhausting replay of past decisions, releasing regret and creating genuine peace with your choicesDevelop unshakable emotional resilience so you can make bold decisions knowing you'll thrive regardless of the outcomeRecognize actualized the transformative choices that create the deepest peace, growth, and alignment in your lifeUncover the hidden patterns behind your choices with over 70 powerful journaling prompts, reshaping how you decide from a place of alignment, not anxietyImplement 20 ‘Mini Trust Experiments’ that build decision confidence in just days, using low-stakes everyday choices to rewire self-doubt patterns
This book isn’t about fixing your mind. It’s about freeing it.

You don’t need more advice. You need to trust yourself again.

This book won’t tell you what to do. It will help you remember how to listen to the one voice that’s always known.

Yours.

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

Audible Audio

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[Olivia G · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5. Maybe I completely miss the point of self help books, but it feels like every one is like "lol don't actually worry about your anxiety babes 🤪." I actually took stuff away from this one but for so few pages, it acts like it can solve very very complex issues in such a simple manner. Maybe it can but (like most other self help books I've read recently) it seems to ignore how complicated the world can be. The author seems very nice so I feel bad giving it a mediocre review.

[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.

[Lydia Maxwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contained some good truths in it. However, I would not recommend this book to someone who is pretty self-aware. Also, it was a bit too new age for me.

[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.

[Jung]

"The Overthinker’s Guide to Making Decisions: How to Make Decisions Without Losing Your Mind" by Joseph Nguyen speaks directly to anyone who feels trapped in endless mental loops whenever a choice appears. It starts from a deeply relatable place: the experience of replaying options over and over, opening countless tabs, asking for advice, making lists, and still feeling paralyzed. Nguyen reframes this struggle not as a flaw or weakness, but as a sign of exhaustion from carrying the emotional weight of fear, regret, and the pressure to get everything 'right.' Instead of offering more techniques for analyzing better, the book promises a gentler, more human approach to decision-making rooted in self-trust, emotional awareness, and alignment with the life you actually want to live.

A central insight is that overthinking drains far more energy and joy from your life than most imperfect decisions ever will. Small choices start to feel enormous because your mind loads them with meaning about your future, your worth, and your safety. The longer you delay, the heavier the choice becomes, and the more your body reacts with tension, restlessness, and anxiety. While you wait for certainty, time passes, opportunities fade, and experiences that might have helped you grow never begin. Staying stuck is itself a decision, and often one that causes more pain than taking a risk and learning as you go. Nguyen emphasizes that this pattern is not laziness or indecisiveness by nature, but a protective mechanism. Your mind believes that more thinking will eventually uncover a risk-free path, even though such a path does not exist.

The book then explores what actually drives this constant rumination. At its core, overthinking is fueled by fear and a desire to stay in control. You worry about failing, disappointing others, regretting your choice, or being judged as not enough. To protect you from these imagined outcomes, your mind runs scenarios, rehearses conversations, and searches for the perfect option that guarantees safety. This effort creates the illusion of control, but it also tightens your life into a narrow, anxious space. Nguyen invites readers to see overthinking not as an enemy, but as a misguided attempt at self-protection. Once you recognize that fear is running the show, you can begin shifting your attention from what might go wrong to what you actually want to create and how you want to feel. This change in focus starts loosening the grip of anxiety and opens the door to a more compassionate way of choosing.

Another major shift the book предлагает is redefining what a 'good' decision really means. Instead of chasing a single correct answer, Nguyen argues that decisions should be judged by alignment rather than by outcomes. There are no flawless choices, only options that either move you closer to the person you want to become or pull you further away. A meaningful decision supports long-term peace, growth, and integrity, even if it still feels uncomfortable or uncertain in the moment. He introduces the idea of an 'actualized' decision, one that comes from self-respect, presence, and love for your own life rather than fear, pressure, or the need for approval. This kind of choice may stretch you beyond old limits, but it also carries a quiet sense of rightness beneath the nerves.

To make this more practical, the book offers a simple inner compass built around four themes: peace, alignment, growth, and love. Instead of asking which option is safest or most impressive, you ask which one leaves you with deeper calm over time, which one reflects the values and identity you want to embody, which one helps you expand rather than shrink, and which one feels rooted more in curiosity and care than in fear and scarcity. Nguyen encourages readers to test these questions on real decisions and notice how the body often already knows the answer before the mind finishes arguing. This exercise helps reveal that clarity is not something you must manufacture through endless analysis, but something you can sense when you tune into your deeper priorities.

The book then turns inward, asking readers to study their own decision-making patterns without judgment. Everyone has habits around choices: some people rush into decisions and regret them later, while others stall until the moment passes. Some defer to others, and some freeze altogether. By observing what happens in your body and mind when a decision appears, you can begin to understand your personal style. Do you feel pressure to hurry, a tightness in your chest, or a desire to escape into distractions? Which decisions trigger the most spiraling, and what emotions show up most often? Nguyen also highlights the invisible rules many people carry, such as always choosing security, never upsetting family, or equating self-worth with success. Bringing these patterns into awareness creates the foundation for changing them.

From there, Nguyen invites readers to step into a new identity: someone who trusts their own decisions. This is not about becoming reckless or ignoring consequences, but about shifting from fear-driven reactions to conscious choice. The guiding question changes from 'What should I pick?' to 'Who do I want to be while I’m choosing?' He encourages remembering times when decisions felt clear and grounded, and noticing what was present then: a sense of inner truth, curiosity, or excitement rather than dread. Readers are asked to imagine how it would feel to choose without constant self-judgment and to define how they want to experience the decision-making process itself. This identity-level shift is paired with challenging old beliefs, such as the idea that your value depends on getting everything right or that you must always choose the safest option. By prioritizing growth over applause and inner peace over external approval, you begin rebuilding a more resilient form of self-trust.

To support this new mindset in real moments of anxiety, the book introduces a practical framework called TRUST. This step-by-step approach is designed for times when your mind is spinning and you cannot access clarity. It begins with pausing and breathing to calm your nervous system so you are not deciding from panic. Then you clearly name the actual decision you are facing, which reduces overwhelm by turning a vague cloud of worries into a single, concrete choice. Next, you uncover the fear underneath your hesitation and the cost of carrying that fear, including how it has already shaped your life. After that, you shift your focus from fear back to intuition and alignment, using the earlier principles of peace, growth, and love as your guide. Finally, you take the smallest possible action in the chosen direction, rather than trying to solve everything at once. This emphasis on tiny, manageable steps reinforces the idea that decisions are not final verdicts on your life, but experiments you can learn from and adjust.

Nguyen also stresses the importance of rebuilding trust through small, playful challenges rather than dramatic life overhauls. Big theories about self-trust only become real through daily practice. He suggests simple experiments like flipping a coin on a low-stakes choice and noticing which outcome you secretly hope for, ordering the first meal that genuinely appeals to you without scanning every option, or answering honestly when someone asks what you want instead of defaulting to 'whatever you like.' Another exercise is keeping small promises to yourself, such as going for a short walk or shutting down work at a certain time, and treating those moments as training grounds for bigger decisions. These acts gently teach your system that it is safe to act without perfect certainty and that your inner preferences are worth honoring.

Throughout the book, Nguyen returns to the idea that fear is not something to eliminate, but something to understand and move through. Courage does not mean feeling no anxiety, but choosing in alignment with your values even when anxiety is present. Over time, each small act of aligned decision-making chips away at the belief that you cannot trust yourself. The result is not a life free of uncertainty, but a life guided less by constant worry and more by a growing sense of inner steadiness.

In the end, "The Overthinker’s Guide to Making Decisions: How to Make Decisions Without Losing Your Mind" by Joseph Nguyen delivers a compassionate and practical message: you do not need perfect information or guaranteed outcomes to make meaningful choices. What you need is a clearer connection to who you want to be, an understanding of how fear shapes your habits, and a few simple tools to interrupt spirals when they arise. By redefining good decisions as aligned decisions, practicing small acts of self-trust, and shifting your identity from someone who waits for certainty to someone who moves with courage and care, you can transform everyday choices into opportunities for growth. The book ultimately reassures readers that clarity is not something you must earn through suffering, but something that emerges naturally when you learn to trust yourself and take gentle, intentional steps forward.

[Anthony Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my perception on critical thinking

[Snezana Cook · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is obvious this book is largely written using AI, so much so I gave up reading it after a few chapters. I find it ethically and intellectually insulting to pass off such work as one’s own without full disclosure that it has been heavily assisted by AI. Besides which I abhor the generic AI tone so prevalent in many pieces of writing. It is a pity because I think the author may have a few useful ideas.

[Billy Claunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page 1 - 64 was great, the rest was an in-depth workbook of self-analysis about how and why you overthink, which I did not complete. So, I guess maybe I’m not an over-thinker overall? I’ll give that some thought. Seriously though the first 64 pages were fantastic and worth getting the book. I will likely read them again.

[Sam Grimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful, reassuring read for overthinkers. The concepts are easy to understand, and the exercises are practical and useful. It’s the kind of book I can easily refer back to when I start overthinking decisions.

[Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and useful guide. Audiobook also has a podcast at the end with the author.

[Cecilia Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

las primeras 60 pgs están muuuy buenas, para mi gusto le hubieran agregado más de eso porque el resto es como un workbook y si no lo haces en el momento luego da hueva

[Aagje Trompert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veel open deuren. Moest er alleen even doorheen lopen

[Sarah Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to dislike this book without overthinking it or losing my mind.

For those new to self help it might have value but there’s a lot of recycled material in it for the seasoned reader.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[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.

[Gleb Berloff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a genuinely life-changing book.
This had a decisive, and positive, impact on my wellbeing. I'm one of those people who indeed agonises over making decisions almost all of the time.
The foundational message of this book caused this agonising over making decisions to nosedive and has caused a significant reduction in my stress levels as a result. Additionally, the chapter on avoiding people pleasing and happiness was also life-changing.
Despite the low rating (which in my opinion is not justified), I can definitely say that so far, this is the self-help book that has had the biggest and most significant positive impact on my wellbeing.
The chapters are very brief, digestible, and easy to read, which is a bonus if you're stressed all the time!
Extremely highly recommended.

[roberta trevino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo ameee!!! Me ayudo mil me identifique en milll cosas que dice, quería highlight todoo literal

El unico pero que le pongo es que al final es mucho para journaling asi que lo termine haciendo en mi journal pero lo AME

[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.

[David Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am in the process of updating my "Critical Thinking and Decision Making" training session, so I picked up this book to see if it had anything to offer.

Overall, it is geared more towards making decisions in your personal life, not professional life. Yes, the frameworks and exercises Nguyen shares with the reader can help in both areas. But he does seem to focus on helping folks stop overthinking their personal decisions more than professional ones.

While I appreciated some of his content, my ultimate conclusion was that the book was simultaneously repetitive and shallow. The repetition came in the first half of the book, where the author set up his frameworks and exercises. I just felt he said the same thing over and over again - just in slightly different ways.

In terms of the shallowness...

I've read a number of other works that address many of the same issues/topics. And I think almost all of them delved into those issues/topics in a more thoughtful, deep way. While his content may help readers who have never engaged in self-awareness activities, it probably won't offer anything new to folks who have done so but are just looking for additional resources.

Ultimately, my reaction to this book was "meh." I didn't hate it - but neither did I love it. And if 2.5 stars were an option, I probably would have given that rating.

Having said that, I'm planning to give the author another chance by reading his "Don't Believe Everything You Think." Perhaps I'll find that more enjoyable.

[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.

[Gulhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a short book with a good message. Only 1 hour 5 mins in audio format with another 1:05 of chat at the end. My problem is that it was too abstract. I understand “decide based on who you want to be, not out of fear” but I need examples to show how to apply that to everyday life. Even if the examples are different from what you are dealing with, they still provide a lot of value in showing how the concept can be applied to everyday situations.

And I guess another thing I expected based on the title was some focus on mundane decisions. If I am thinking about a major thing like “whether I should quit my job”, I am fine with overthinking. What I want to let go of is overthinking minor stuff, like travel itinerary or which socks to buy… Based on the title, I thought the book would have things to say about that but it is more about “how to make big decisions”.

[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.