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Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking
Overthinking isn't a personality trait. It's the sneakiest form of fear. It steals time, creativity, and goals. It's the most expensive, least productive thing companies invest in without even knowing it. And it's an epidemic. When New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff changed his life by transforming his overthinking, he wondered if other people might benefit from what he discovered. He commissioned a research study to ask 10,000 people if they struggle with overthinking too, and 99.5 percent said, "Yes!" The good news is that in Soundtracks, Acuff offers a proven plan to change overthinking from a super problem into a superpower. When we don't control our thoughts, our thoughts control us. If our days are full of broken soundtracks, thoughts are our worst enemy, holding us back from the things we really want. But the solution to overthinking isn't to stop thinking. The solution is running our brains with better soundtracks. Once we learn how to choose our soundtracks, thoughts become our best friend, propelling us toward our goals. If you want to tap into the surprising power of overthinking and give your dreams more time and creativity, learn how to DJ the soundtracks that define you. If you can worry, you can wonder. If you can doubt, you can dominate. If you can spin, you can soar.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2021
1261 people are currently reading
12355 people want to read
About the author
Jon Acuff
53 books3,338 followersJon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author of eight books, including Soundtracks, Your New Playlist, and the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done.
When he’s not writing or recording his popular podcast, All It Takes Is a Goal, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Nissan, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Chick-fil-A, Nokia and Comedy Central.
For over 20 years he's also helped some of the biggest brands tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team.
Jon lives outside of Nashville, TN with his wife Jenny and two teenage daughters.
When he’s not writing or recording his popular podcast, All It Takes Is a Goal, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Nissan, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Chick-fil-A, Nokia and Comedy Central.
For over 20 years he's also helped some of the biggest brands tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team.
Jon lives outside of Nashville, TN with his wife Jenny and two teenage daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,317 reviews
January 29, 2022
Hmmmm... something here is afoot. AFOOT I say!
Why do so many reviews on here start off with "Jon Acuff has done it again!"?
Feb. 25, March 13, March 21, March 23, March 24, March 27, April 6...
The book wasn't published until 4/6/21. So.... a bunch of advanced copy readers randomly decided to give 5 stars and say the EXACT same line in their review? (I know it's a line in his book, but no way everyone came up with that on their own!)
So like... where did they get the idea to do this?
I'm more interested in that than in the book itself!
More looking...every review published before release date is given 5 stars. Is this... fair?!
The reason I bought this book was BECAUSE of the 4.46 rating (and because it was $1.99 on Kindle for a day, hard to turn down those deals). BUT, I had also just read "Chatter", which I gave 4/5 so I figured another book on overthinking could be a nice combo.
But Soundtracks lacks any sort of actual studies like Chatter. It also uses the word "soundtrack" nearly 500 times (via a kindle search)... which is about 300 too many.
The soundtrack thing in general just came across as "positive thinking" to me. The author tried to separate how they were different but I wasn't won over. I mean, sure I can say "everything is going my way!" or "my life is dope!" until the cows come home, but if your mind doesn't actually believe it, repeating it isn't going to do anything. I mean, just type in "why affirmations don't work" and there's plenty of convincing arguments against it.
Also, one of the "studies" listed in the book about positive self-talk in the mirror sounded like it was conducted by his mailing list/social media groups. That's not really unbiased as those people are already buying into what he's selling.
I dunno. If Acoff has helped your life, more power to you! There was a couple funny things and I'm sure there's some sayings that could help certain people out. But this was a far cry from Chatter, or something with stats and actual studies behind it.
And now, I'm going to go run for my life because something here is afoot!!!
Why do so many reviews on here start off with "Jon Acuff has done it again!"?
Feb. 25, March 13, March 21, March 23, March 24, March 27, April 6...
The book wasn't published until 4/6/21. So.... a bunch of advanced copy readers randomly decided to give 5 stars and say the EXACT same line in their review? (I know it's a line in his book, but no way everyone came up with that on their own!)
So like... where did they get the idea to do this?
I'm more interested in that than in the book itself!
More looking...every review published before release date is given 5 stars. Is this... fair?!
The reason I bought this book was BECAUSE of the 4.46 rating (and because it was $1.99 on Kindle for a day, hard to turn down those deals). BUT, I had also just read "Chatter", which I gave 4/5 so I figured another book on overthinking could be a nice combo.
But Soundtracks lacks any sort of actual studies like Chatter. It also uses the word "soundtrack" nearly 500 times (via a kindle search)... which is about 300 too many.
The soundtrack thing in general just came across as "positive thinking" to me. The author tried to separate how they were different but I wasn't won over. I mean, sure I can say "everything is going my way!" or "my life is dope!" until the cows come home, but if your mind doesn't actually believe it, repeating it isn't going to do anything. I mean, just type in "why affirmations don't work" and there's plenty of convincing arguments against it.
Also, one of the "studies" listed in the book about positive self-talk in the mirror sounded like it was conducted by his mailing list/social media groups. That's not really unbiased as those people are already buying into what he's selling.
I dunno. If Acoff has helped your life, more power to you! There was a couple funny things and I'm sure there's some sayings that could help certain people out. But this was a far cry from Chatter, or something with stats and actual studies behind it.
And now, I'm going to go run for my life because something here is afoot!!!
March 19, 2021
Full disclosure - I’m a Jon Acuff fan and a part of the launch team. I once drove three hours to stand in line to get his book Finish autographed. Fan girl here. But the reason is his humor, straight advice and genuine cheer have helped me in my own life and career. And this newest book Soundtracks is fantastic. It’s full of practical ways to get out of bad habits and negative thinking. It makes me want to shake off the lethargy of the last year and get back at joyfully charging into life. If you are sick of tripping yourself overthinking all the things then buy the book and get on with your dreams.
March 8, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It’s fun, funny, easy to digest and loaded with practical solutions to one of the biggest hurdles to success we all face. Our broken personal narrative. Acuff does a masterful job of helping us overcome these obstacles, not by ignoring them (because we know that doesn’t work), but by flipping them on their heads turning a weakness into a strength. Well done!
September 7, 2022
Like an English essay with a word count.
January 9, 2025
I’ve literally told everyone I know about this book and even tweeted about it, which is something I never do. This is the most personally revolutionary book I’ve come across. He doesn’t say anything I didn’t already know, but put together the way he has, I’m inspired more than I have ever been. I’m deeply grateful to my friend who told me to read it. Until today, I didn’t think of myself as an overthinker - not really. Now I realize that anyone with a brain is an overthinker. Loved it so much that after borrowing it from the library, I bought it on Kindle and on audiobook. Now I can’t wait to read his other books. This book can change your life! And I actually and literally laughed out loud all throughout it. It can change your life while you laugh about it :-D
January 30, 2023
Listening to this feels like going on a date with a business bro who never stops to ask you a question about yourself.
While I do think there is some truth to the sentiment, my brain gags at dudes who simplify the difference between “failure” and “success” as a shift in your thinking, as if systemic inequalities and biases don’t exist at all. And his examples of people who go from “nothing” to “successful” are people whose “nothing” is still superior to the average person’s nothing. And he deliberately undermines more feminine images of the same idea, not-so-subtly letting us know he looks down on anything that you might not consider traditionally masculine. So, like, respectfully, shut up
While I do think there is some truth to the sentiment, my brain gags at dudes who simplify the difference between “failure” and “success” as a shift in your thinking, as if systemic inequalities and biases don’t exist at all. And his examples of people who go from “nothing” to “successful” are people whose “nothing” is still superior to the average person’s nothing. And he deliberately undermines more feminine images of the same idea, not-so-subtly letting us know he looks down on anything that you might not consider traditionally masculine. So, like, respectfully, shut up
April 13, 2021
Jon Acuff has done it again! Every book I think is his best and then the next surpasses the last. I laughed out loud so much reading this book that the cats started suspiciously side eyeing me.
If you are now or ever have been an overthinker grab this book now so when it released you can literally change your life! There is hope, there are ways to control and change it.
If you are now or ever have been an overthinker grab this book now so when it released you can literally change your life! There is hope, there are ways to control and change it.
April 15, 2021
Some interesting strategies for turning off negative self-talk, but this didn’t feel like it needed to be a hardback book. More like a podcast or a series of YouTube videos.
February 20, 2023
It was just okay. I liked the audibook, and I think he is an engaging speaker. Finding out what Steven Seagal has been up to in Russia was the best part. Let me sum up how he says to not overthink... When you begin to overthink and spiral a bit, stop and think:
T - Is what I'm thinking True?
H - Is it Helpful?
I - Is it Inspiring?
N - Is it Necessary?
K - Is it Kind?
Ask yourself those questions about what has you overthinking, and you should be able to change your thoughts. Also, if you wouldn't say it to a friend, dont say it to yourself. That's it, you dont have to read the book now.
T - Is what I'm thinking True?
H - Is it Helpful?
I - Is it Inspiring?
N - Is it Necessary?
K - Is it Kind?
Ask yourself those questions about what has you overthinking, and you should be able to change your thoughts. Also, if you wouldn't say it to a friend, dont say it to yourself. That's it, you dont have to read the book now.
March 5, 2021
If you waste time constantly overthinking everything, then this book is a must read. There are so many life changing nuggets in this book. Now, I’m reading it again snd starting the process of re-recording my soundtracks.
This is a quick read and very funny, but thankfully you are given clear ways to change the way you think!
Grateful to have been given a digital copy of Soundtracks and to be a part of the launch team.
This is a quick read and very funny, but thankfully you are given clear ways to change the way you think!
Grateful to have been given a digital copy of Soundtracks and to be a part of the launch team.
December 19, 2022
Great, great ideas about overthinking and renewing your mind. Follow up questions I thought about: how can this work with Scripture? Is his life too "idealistic" or does it actually work? What do you all think about this?
September 15, 2023
Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff
5h 15m read by the author & 235-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Psychology, Business
Featuring: Thinking & Thoughts, Fear, Success, Music, Thought Soundtracks, Broken Soundtracks, Real Versus Fake Trauma, Confirmation Bias, Right Soundtrack-Right Actions, Bonus Stories Not in the Print Version, 50 Turn-Down Techniques You Can Use Today When Your Broken Soundtracks Get Loud, Flipping the Script, Checklists, Zig Ziglar, Affirmations, Overcoming Fear, Pocket Jury, Symbols You Can Use Today, 30 Challenge, Acknowledgments, Notes
CONTENTS
Introduction
I Think I Can Do This
The Choice Is Yours
Turn Down the Dial
Borrow From the Best
Win the Week
Don't Fight It, Flip It
Zig Your Way to Positive Thinking
Put the New Anthem on Repeat
Gather Evidence
Make a Soundtrack Stick With a Symbol
Conclusion
The New Anthem Challenge
Quotes: "Overthinking is when what you think gets in the way of what you want. It’s one of the most expensive things in the world because it wastes time, creativity, and productivity."
"If you listen to any thought long enough, it becomes a part of your personal playlist. Soundtracks made of music have the ability to completely transform a moment. Restaurants know this. Movies know this. Gyms know this."
"A plane can drop a bomb or food. A syringe can deliver poison or medicine. A stallion can start a stampede or win a race. The same is true of our thoughts. If you can worry, you can wonder. If you can doubt, you can dominate. If you can spin, you can soar. The same brain that told you for years that you couldn’t write a book can be taught to tell you just the opposite."
"Your thoughts empower your actions, which in turn generate your results."
"I was unknowingly teaching my kids that work was a terrible place that ripped you from your home and forced you to leave loved ones. We spend eighteen years teaching our kids that work sucks and then act surprised when they graduate from college and don’t seem eager to get a job."
"Read a bit of fiction. Don’t force yourself through the classics if you despise them. Grab a beach book, where every single chapter has a climax and the main character’s name is something dramatic like Jackson Steelsmith or Savannah Orion."
"Must be nice to get a book deal. Must be nice to set your own schedule. Must be nice to be able to afford that vacation. It’s probably cousins with the phrase “Somebody has a lot of free time!” If anyone ever says this to you, they’re saying, “I’m a lot busier than you and thus more important.” Only you can’t say that in real life, so instead people say things like “Must be nice” and “Somebody has a lot of free time!”"
"Replacing your soundtracks is about identifying what soundtracks you’ve been listening to and then owning the responsibility of changing them."
"Deb and Bryan Meyer, a married couple from Missouri, changed their relationship with money by flipping one word. “We renamed the ‘emergency fund’ to ‘opportunity fund’ and began thinking about that cash savings in a different context.” It was no longer a failure bucket, full of sad dollars tucked away for a terrifying season of ramen. They replaced the soundtrack associated with that money and in doing so, transformed their entire experience."
"The only person standing in my way is me, and I quit doing that yesterday."
Rating as a movie: G
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💭🤔
My thoughts: 📱4% 11:59 nine minutes into Ch. 1 - I can't absorb this information and play my game. Off to find some mindless fiction. FYI, it was good information and interesting.
📱24% 1:15:53 Ch. 3 - This is good. The is it true-helpful-kind part is common, but the whole soundtracks idea is new to me and a great way of explaining negative and positive thoughts.
🔖Page 115 of 235/52%Ebook/49% audiobook Ch. 6 Don't Fight It, Flip It - I switched to the ebook, I reread the first 3 chapters, and it was better for my brain, then I dual read from chapter 3 on. Jon said he would give bonus stories in the audiobook and identify them. In my opinion, he did not, but I wasn't mad about it. I noticed commentary and jokes and I enjoyed them, but I got lost on page 101 because of a bonus story. 🤣 I'm only taking a break now for a book discussion, I'm going to finish this book tonight. It's nice to be reading print again, away from that addictive game.
There weren't any religious references in this book so I'm guessing it was listed as Christian Nonfiction just because of the author. This book was awesome. Jon is a little busy, good luck speeding this one up.
Recommend to others: Yes! This book was very good.
5h 15m read by the author & 235-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Psychology, Business
Featuring: Thinking & Thoughts, Fear, Success, Music, Thought Soundtracks, Broken Soundtracks, Real Versus Fake Trauma, Confirmation Bias, Right Soundtrack-Right Actions, Bonus Stories Not in the Print Version, 50 Turn-Down Techniques You Can Use Today When Your Broken Soundtracks Get Loud, Flipping the Script, Checklists, Zig Ziglar, Affirmations, Overcoming Fear, Pocket Jury, Symbols You Can Use Today, 30 Challenge, Acknowledgments, Notes
CONTENTS
Introduction
I Think I Can Do This
The Choice Is Yours
Turn Down the Dial
Borrow From the Best
Win the Week
Don't Fight It, Flip It
Zig Your Way to Positive Thinking
Put the New Anthem on Repeat
Gather Evidence
Make a Soundtrack Stick With a Symbol
Conclusion
The New Anthem Challenge
Quotes: "Overthinking is when what you think gets in the way of what you want. It’s one of the most expensive things in the world because it wastes time, creativity, and productivity."
"If you listen to any thought long enough, it becomes a part of your personal playlist. Soundtracks made of music have the ability to completely transform a moment. Restaurants know this. Movies know this. Gyms know this."
"A plane can drop a bomb or food. A syringe can deliver poison or medicine. A stallion can start a stampede or win a race. The same is true of our thoughts. If you can worry, you can wonder. If you can doubt, you can dominate. If you can spin, you can soar. The same brain that told you for years that you couldn’t write a book can be taught to tell you just the opposite."
"Your thoughts empower your actions, which in turn generate your results."
"I was unknowingly teaching my kids that work was a terrible place that ripped you from your home and forced you to leave loved ones. We spend eighteen years teaching our kids that work sucks and then act surprised when they graduate from college and don’t seem eager to get a job."
"Read a bit of fiction. Don’t force yourself through the classics if you despise them. Grab a beach book, where every single chapter has a climax and the main character’s name is something dramatic like Jackson Steelsmith or Savannah Orion."
"Must be nice to get a book deal. Must be nice to set your own schedule. Must be nice to be able to afford that vacation. It’s probably cousins with the phrase “Somebody has a lot of free time!” If anyone ever says this to you, they’re saying, “I’m a lot busier than you and thus more important.” Only you can’t say that in real life, so instead people say things like “Must be nice” and “Somebody has a lot of free time!”"
"Replacing your soundtracks is about identifying what soundtracks you’ve been listening to and then owning the responsibility of changing them."
"Deb and Bryan Meyer, a married couple from Missouri, changed their relationship with money by flipping one word. “We renamed the ‘emergency fund’ to ‘opportunity fund’ and began thinking about that cash savings in a different context.” It was no longer a failure bucket, full of sad dollars tucked away for a terrifying season of ramen. They replaced the soundtrack associated with that money and in doing so, transformed their entire experience."
"The only person standing in my way is me, and I quit doing that yesterday."
Rating as a movie: G
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💭🤔
My thoughts: 📱4% 11:59 nine minutes into Ch. 1 - I can't absorb this information and play my game. Off to find some mindless fiction. FYI, it was good information and interesting.
📱24% 1:15:53 Ch. 3 - This is good. The is it true-helpful-kind part is common, but the whole soundtracks idea is new to me and a great way of explaining negative and positive thoughts.
🔖Page 115 of 235/52%Ebook/49% audiobook Ch. 6 Don't Fight It, Flip It - I switched to the ebook, I reread the first 3 chapters, and it was better for my brain, then I dual read from chapter 3 on. Jon said he would give bonus stories in the audiobook and identify them. In my opinion, he did not, but I wasn't mad about it. I noticed commentary and jokes and I enjoyed them, but I got lost on page 101 because of a bonus story. 🤣 I'm only taking a break now for a book discussion, I'm going to finish this book tonight. It's nice to be reading print again, away from that addictive game.
There weren't any religious references in this book so I'm guessing it was listed as Christian Nonfiction just because of the author. This book was awesome. Jon is a little busy, good luck speeding this one up.
Recommend to others: Yes! This book was very good.
March 24, 2021
I’ve enjoyed hearing Jon speak live at events before, so I already know what a gifted and humorous communicator he is, and this book certainly does not disappoint! But I’ll admit this is my third Acuff book purchase, but I didn’t start Start and never finished Finish, so this is the first I read cover to cover, and couldn’t put it down!
It’s almost as if Jon is telling my story from the future, with exactly the encouragement I needed in this season of life! I started a business and outlined a book a little over a year ago, and was stuck overthinking both for the past year. Jon talks about how he has gotten stuck in both writing and growing his business, but in an empathetic and helpful way that really helped move me forward.
Some of the examples Jon gives are literally things my coach and our marriage counselor have told me, and their advice costs a lot more than this book! The level of candidness with which Jon talks about imposter syndrome, being a bad boss to yourself, and the pocket jury collecting evidence to prove you aren’t good enough is both refreshing, and also a relief to know I’m not the only one fighting those same broken soundtracks.
My favorite soundtracks that have been most helpful over the past few weeks are, “my life is dope”, “today is brand new and tomorrow is too”, “I am the CEO of me and I am the best boss”, and “momentum is messy”. Those nuggets are great fuel to start finding new soundtracks and collecting evidence to support them!
The blend of Jon sharing his own story, where he has gotten stuck in overthinking, and the tools that helped him make this a very personable and relatable book. And I love the practical advice to help turn down the broken soundtracks, replace them with healthier ones that “tell the truth in advance”, and make them memorable to play on repeat until they stick.
Such an enjoyable and helpful read for us high achieving overthinkers, definitely one you don’t want to miss!
It’s almost as if Jon is telling my story from the future, with exactly the encouragement I needed in this season of life! I started a business and outlined a book a little over a year ago, and was stuck overthinking both for the past year. Jon talks about how he has gotten stuck in both writing and growing his business, but in an empathetic and helpful way that really helped move me forward.
Some of the examples Jon gives are literally things my coach and our marriage counselor have told me, and their advice costs a lot more than this book! The level of candidness with which Jon talks about imposter syndrome, being a bad boss to yourself, and the pocket jury collecting evidence to prove you aren’t good enough is both refreshing, and also a relief to know I’m not the only one fighting those same broken soundtracks.
My favorite soundtracks that have been most helpful over the past few weeks are, “my life is dope”, “today is brand new and tomorrow is too”, “I am the CEO of me and I am the best boss”, and “momentum is messy”. Those nuggets are great fuel to start finding new soundtracks and collecting evidence to support them!
The blend of Jon sharing his own story, where he has gotten stuck in overthinking, and the tools that helped him make this a very personable and relatable book. And I love the practical advice to help turn down the broken soundtracks, replace them with healthier ones that “tell the truth in advance”, and make them memorable to play on repeat until they stick.
Such an enjoyable and helpful read for us high achieving overthinkers, definitely one you don’t want to miss!
September 6, 2024
I did it again. Reading a self help book written by not a professional. Guess how it ended? As it always does, with me irritated and disappointed.
I was recommended this book by a job recruiter.
This book was reminiscent of Girl, Wash your Face, and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck. I couldn't even finish GWYF and TSAoNGaF was just a rich entitled guy telling you to quit your job and go write a book even if you're scared! (he came from money and was bank-rolled to do so.)
I'm not sure what Acuff's background is but usually if there is formal education then there are letters after the name, which he doesn't have. In the book he talks about having ideas and then partnering with researchers to test out his ideas. So maybe there's something there....Regardless, I didn't like his style. I wonder if it's the light-heartedness? Maybe I don't need humor in my self help books? I'm here because I want to better this area of my life that I don't like, maybe don't make light of it. Maybe it's the blasé way he speaks. Just do this! It's wonderful, and it's that easy!
Instead of reading this, read Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It . Another book about overthinking and the voice inside your head that I found much more educational and entertaining.
Straight from the Soundtracks book:
"My life is dope and I do dope shit" - Kanye West
Add that to your daily affirmations and you're off to a great start.
March 10, 2022
The information is not revolutionary but it's delivered in such a simple, straight-forward, simultaneously funny and reasonable way, that it can't help but make sense. I also like the formula of this— funny personal story, scientific research, someone else's experience. Rinse and repeat.
Jon's narrative style on the audiobook is unbelievably genuine, and when he calls himself an "olympic-level overthinker" you BELIEVE HIM. I laughed out loud during the part where he was like, "Here's 5 ways you can do X. Oh, you think it's crazy that I only came up with 5? You're right. I came up with 50. Here's 50 ways to do X."
When I was taught the basic forms of persuasion, they were logos (logic) pathos (emotion) and ethos (credibility), with a fourth less often mentioned: kairos. Kairos is just timing, and I think with all personal growth / self help / motivational books, it will always come down to timing. So let me also say: I wanted this to work. After a three month anxiety spiral, I had become non-functional. I didn't recognize the person living in my head. When this was recommended to me, I went in believing things could get better.
I don't think this transformed me body and soul, but I feel like it woke me up. And the person I've been (and the person in my head) since I started reading is actually someone I like. 10 stars.
Jon's narrative style on the audiobook is unbelievably genuine, and when he calls himself an "olympic-level overthinker" you BELIEVE HIM. I laughed out loud during the part where he was like, "Here's 5 ways you can do X. Oh, you think it's crazy that I only came up with 5? You're right. I came up with 50. Here's 50 ways to do X."
When I was taught the basic forms of persuasion, they were logos (logic) pathos (emotion) and ethos (credibility), with a fourth less often mentioned: kairos. Kairos is just timing, and I think with all personal growth / self help / motivational books, it will always come down to timing. So let me also say: I wanted this to work. After a three month anxiety spiral, I had become non-functional. I didn't recognize the person living in my head. When this was recommended to me, I went in believing things could get better.
I don't think this transformed me body and soul, but I feel like it woke me up. And the person I've been (and the person in my head) since I started reading is actually someone I like. 10 stars.
March 30, 2023
I was just thinking I should perhaps round my rating up to 4 stars, but there I go overthinking a book that was designed to help me stop overthinking! SMH
This book has some very valuable strategies to help combat overthinking. However, I found some parts of the book a bit repetitive and slow (thus, the 3 rating). It could’ve been a little shorter in my view. I am in a bit of a reading slump though, so take this all with a grain of salt.
If you are a serious overthinker, this book is for you. I would recommend giving it a try even if that means skimming through the repetitive, slow parts towards the middle and end.
This book has some very valuable strategies to help combat overthinking. However, I found some parts of the book a bit repetitive and slow (thus, the 3 rating). It could’ve been a little shorter in my view. I am in a bit of a reading slump though, so take this all with a grain of salt.
If you are a serious overthinker, this book is for you. I would recommend giving it a try even if that means skimming through the repetitive, slow parts towards the middle and end.
January 4, 2022
Repetitive. Repetitive. Repetitive.
Pyramid scheme: Author describes his no-overthinking tips [OK so far]... B U T his main arguments that demonstrate that his ideas are solid, are based on the author successfully applying the principles to his process of writing the actual book he wrote that describes said ideas. Recurse()
Pyramid scheme: Author describes his no-overthinking tips [OK so far]... B U T his main arguments that demonstrate that his ideas are solid, are based on the author successfully applying the principles to his process of writing the actual book he wrote that describes said ideas. Recurse()
April 14, 2023
Loved it. Great for all over-thinkers. Also, pretty humorous and relatable.
March 13, 2021
Acuff has always excelled in being concise, introspective, funny, and helpful. In Soundtracks, he continues to dial into each of those qualities more effectively.
Don’t make the mistake of lumping him and his work in with much of the surface-level “self-help” and “power of positive thinking” voices. He’s got data, stories, logic, and jokes.
I’ve been excited about this work, in part, because I’ve caught myself doing some of these same things unwittingly. Jon’s voice gave confidence to my own healthy habits and charted specific next steps for moments when I previously would have gotten stuck in loops of “what now?”
I was already thankful for Acuff’s work and am a fan. But even if you’re not, don’t overthink it, give this book a read.
Don’t make the mistake of lumping him and his work in with much of the surface-level “self-help” and “power of positive thinking” voices. He’s got data, stories, logic, and jokes.
I’ve been excited about this work, in part, because I’ve caught myself doing some of these same things unwittingly. Jon’s voice gave confidence to my own healthy habits and charted specific next steps for moments when I previously would have gotten stuck in loops of “what now?”
I was already thankful for Acuff’s work and am a fan. But even if you’re not, don’t overthink it, give this book a read.
April 26, 2021
Had I not read so many powerful psychology and self-help books in the past 2-3 years, I'm sure I'd wholeheartedly give this a full 5 stars. It's very good; I'm just not sure it's as powerful as The Practice: Shipping Creative Work, The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle, The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results, or even Acuff's own Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. But it's a simple premise: use your tendency to overthink and transform it into an advantage. Take the broken soundtracks in your head ("I'm not good enough." "This is too hard" etc) and rewrite them ("Nobody is good enough when they get started." "Let's just do this next step" etc). Once again, Acuff is entertaining as well as motivational.
March 25, 2021
Jon Acuff's book might just be my favorite--and that's saying a lot! Jon packs a punch to help you get out of your head and start shifting your overthinking from a superproblem to a superpower. As always he delivers strong insight and simple to implement advice while making you laugh on every single page. This is a great book for anyone who has found themselves overthinking (which means it's a great book for anyone!).
May 17, 2023
4.0 // This short book is packed with some down-to-earth advice for quelling one’s overthinking by rejecting broken soundtracks (that is, one’s counterproductive or harmful thought patterns) and embracing healthy soundtracks (truer, kinder, and more helpful thought patterns). It has already been beneficial.
That being said, I would have two major caveats. First, Acuff’s primary goal in helping his readers reject broken soundtracks can be summed up in two words: productivity and success. From the get-go, Acuff heralds his solution as one that can help someone write more books, snag more clients, earn more money, or run more miles. This makes sense; it is a self-help book, after all. But while I am sure some of my broken soundtracks lower my productivity, many more rob me of something just as (if not more) important: rest. Not just the physical kind. I’m talking the kind of rest humans were designed for, a whole-person-Sabbath-day kind of rest. There were times when Acuff’s book just made me more exhausted.
Second, I wrestle with discerning affirmation based on my own feelings (“I am successful and will achieve all my goals today”) and affirmation rooted in reliance upon God as the One who sustains me. More than my own determination or my ability to string the right affirmative words together, I desperately need the strength that He provides. Now, that doesn’t mean there are no affirmations that marry these two things. I’m just feeling cautious as I move forward.
But all that said, it was still four stars. And Acuff is a fantastic narrator.
That being said, I would have two major caveats. First, Acuff’s primary goal in helping his readers reject broken soundtracks can be summed up in two words: productivity and success. From the get-go, Acuff heralds his solution as one that can help someone write more books, snag more clients, earn more money, or run more miles. This makes sense; it is a self-help book, after all. But while I am sure some of my broken soundtracks lower my productivity, many more rob me of something just as (if not more) important: rest. Not just the physical kind. I’m talking the kind of rest humans were designed for, a whole-person-Sabbath-day kind of rest. There were times when Acuff’s book just made me more exhausted.
Second, I wrestle with discerning affirmation based on my own feelings (“I am successful and will achieve all my goals today”) and affirmation rooted in reliance upon God as the One who sustains me. More than my own determination or my ability to string the right affirmative words together, I desperately need the strength that He provides. Now, that doesn’t mean there are no affirmations that marry these two things. I’m just feeling cautious as I move forward.
But all that said, it was still four stars. And Acuff is a fantastic narrator.
July 26, 2022
This book is going on repeat for me.
I have been interested in neuroplasticity for a while now, but some of the angles I have seen about “brain retraining” have been far off and maybe slightly scary. This book is relatable, practical, and humorous. It is all about mindset shift but not in a new-age way.
As a Christian reading this, I could easily see Biblical principles woven through, though there was no actual Scripture used in this book.
Being a musician, the concept of soundtracks appeals to me and “speaks my language.”
There were several mic-drop moments, both in realizing “THAT was why” for myself or for friends. Our thoughts are powerful and Jon Acuff gives scientific yet practical reasons why and supports it with solid, tested principles that can be immediately applied so the reader (or listener) isn’t left wondering “how am I supposed to change?”
I personally like the unveiling of our own responsibility regarding the thoughts we listen to. As Acuff said, “Fear comes free, faith takes work.”
This isn’t necessarily a feel-good book, but it is a book that equips which then makes it a feel-good book for me.
In case I haven’t made it clear, I highly recommend it for the average person who struggles with overthinking—or even those who are like me and think you don’t overthink. We can all use a little more help controlling our thoughts.
I have been interested in neuroplasticity for a while now, but some of the angles I have seen about “brain retraining” have been far off and maybe slightly scary. This book is relatable, practical, and humorous. It is all about mindset shift but not in a new-age way.
As a Christian reading this, I could easily see Biblical principles woven through, though there was no actual Scripture used in this book.
Being a musician, the concept of soundtracks appeals to me and “speaks my language.”
There were several mic-drop moments, both in realizing “THAT was why” for myself or for friends. Our thoughts are powerful and Jon Acuff gives scientific yet practical reasons why and supports it with solid, tested principles that can be immediately applied so the reader (or listener) isn’t left wondering “how am I supposed to change?”
I personally like the unveiling of our own responsibility regarding the thoughts we listen to. As Acuff said, “Fear comes free, faith takes work.”
This isn’t necessarily a feel-good book, but it is a book that equips which then makes it a feel-good book for me.
In case I haven’t made it clear, I highly recommend it for the average person who struggles with overthinking—or even those who are like me and think you don’t overthink. We can all use a little more help controlling our thoughts.
July 10, 2024
I have a huge tendency to decide in advance what others are going to say or think. Why not decide in advance what I am going to say and think? Why not lay out my thoughts like i do my gym clothes?
My favorite quotes from this book:
Borrow from the best (another plug for lots of wide reading). “These people are trying to give me money” translates for homeschooling mom of 6 “these tiny humans LOVE me”. I will feel awesome after” translates to “this will make a great memory, story, picture for the next album, or fodder for my novel”. Pivot, Don’t Panic translated to “I want this”.
When something you are up against is hard, don’t tell yourself “this is easy”. Remind yourself “I have done hard things before and I can do this too”
Plan in advance how you are going to respond (delay in travel, toddler tantrum, teenage talkback). Your attitude should already be decided
Somebody may beat me but they are going to have to bleed to do it. stay at home homeschool mom isn’t a competition but I want to be good at it.
If you see something, say something. Collecting evidence that “everything is always working out for me” translates to “we are learning so much in our homeschool”. “I am seeing the Lord’s hand in this”. A little bit of evidence goes along way in defense against the pocket jury
Now and Later. Over thinking leads to overreacting in the now. Later is the land of intentionality. Identify the thought by writing down the scenario. Analyze the thought and plan for the next time this happens
My favorite quotes from this book:
Borrow from the best (another plug for lots of wide reading). “These people are trying to give me money” translates for homeschooling mom of 6 “these tiny humans LOVE me”. I will feel awesome after” translates to “this will make a great memory, story, picture for the next album, or fodder for my novel”. Pivot, Don’t Panic translated to “I want this”.
When something you are up against is hard, don’t tell yourself “this is easy”. Remind yourself “I have done hard things before and I can do this too”
Plan in advance how you are going to respond (delay in travel, toddler tantrum, teenage talkback). Your attitude should already be decided
Somebody may beat me but they are going to have to bleed to do it. stay at home homeschool mom isn’t a competition but I want to be good at it.
If you see something, say something. Collecting evidence that “everything is always working out for me” translates to “we are learning so much in our homeschool”. “I am seeing the Lord’s hand in this”. A little bit of evidence goes along way in defense against the pocket jury
Now and Later. Over thinking leads to overreacting in the now. Later is the land of intentionality. Identify the thought by writing down the scenario. Analyze the thought and plan for the next time this happens
November 30, 2025
The solution is not really surprising. It's about the power of self affirmations and positive thinking. The tone was kind of annoying and I almost dnfed after listening to the beginning but decided to go on. It had a few ideas to try out regarding changing automatic thoughts (or soundtracks but if it helps anyone to call them that way then that's fine).
December 10, 2023
This book was so simple and powerful! I love that Jon Acuff can give such practical advice and keep his audience engaged throughout the whole book! This was a great book to read right before a new year, it also got me hooked on his podcast 😂
May 2, 2022
Funny and relatable while also being a great resource for an over thinker like me. I’ll be referring back to this one for awhile.
March 7, 2022
Phenomenal. Hilarious and life changing.
March 19, 2021
Jon Acuff has done it again! Over the years I have enjoyed several of Jon’s books including “Do Over” and “Finished”. Each time he brings in fresh ideas of on how to move forward and get things done.
The content in “Soundtracks” is full of wisdom and easy tools to use to help you stop overthinking and start taking action. Not only does he speak from his personal experiences but he actually did the research into how people overthink with the help of Mike Peasley, PhD. He also shares several testimonials from people that did the surveys and that were part of a special Facebook group during the research period.
Soundtracks are the thoughts we tell ourselves—whether positive or negative. We all have soundtracks playing throughout the day. Jon does a wonderful job of explaining how to retire your broken soundtracks, replace them with new ones, and then you just repeat these new soundtracks until they are as automatic as the old ones.
One of my favorite topics in this book how to either create your own new soundtracks (positive thinking) and/or borrow soundtracks from other people. Little did I know that I have been doing this for quite some time. Phrases like “Dream, Believe, Live”, “Choose Gratitude”, and “Seek Adventure” cover my walls in front of my desks. These are soundtracks that I personally have, but I love gleaning soundtracks from this book and influencers in my life.
One last tool that I found really helpful from this book is The New Anthem. You’ll need to dive into Chapter 8 to read the full Anthem. For me, it gave me a good list of 10 soundtracks to tell myself every morning and evening. If you want, take up the The New Anthem Challenge at the end of the book. You read the morning anthem in the morning, the evening anthem in the evening, and do one action step toward your one of your goals each day. During the week I read this book, not only was I encouraged by doing The New Anthem Challenge but also go a lot of stuff done by doing one or two action steps each day.
I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of “Soundtracks” and practice the tools Jon gives to help you turn your overthinking into a superpower.
The content in “Soundtracks” is full of wisdom and easy tools to use to help you stop overthinking and start taking action. Not only does he speak from his personal experiences but he actually did the research into how people overthink with the help of Mike Peasley, PhD. He also shares several testimonials from people that did the surveys and that were part of a special Facebook group during the research period.
Soundtracks are the thoughts we tell ourselves—whether positive or negative. We all have soundtracks playing throughout the day. Jon does a wonderful job of explaining how to retire your broken soundtracks, replace them with new ones, and then you just repeat these new soundtracks until they are as automatic as the old ones.
One of my favorite topics in this book how to either create your own new soundtracks (positive thinking) and/or borrow soundtracks from other people. Little did I know that I have been doing this for quite some time. Phrases like “Dream, Believe, Live”, “Choose Gratitude”, and “Seek Adventure” cover my walls in front of my desks. These are soundtracks that I personally have, but I love gleaning soundtracks from this book and influencers in my life.
One last tool that I found really helpful from this book is The New Anthem. You’ll need to dive into Chapter 8 to read the full Anthem. For me, it gave me a good list of 10 soundtracks to tell myself every morning and evening. If you want, take up the The New Anthem Challenge at the end of the book. You read the morning anthem in the morning, the evening anthem in the evening, and do one action step toward your one of your goals each day. During the week I read this book, not only was I encouraged by doing The New Anthem Challenge but also go a lot of stuff done by doing one or two action steps each day.
I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of “Soundtracks” and practice the tools Jon gives to help you turn your overthinking into a superpower.
June 7, 2021
Update: I read it again on audio:
I had an ARC of this book because I was on the launch team, so I read it months ago (and reviewed it). This week when I finished my previous audio book and had run out of podcasts in my feed I was interested in (so many are released on Tuesdays and I finish them by end of the day on Thursday), I thought “Let’s listen to Jon.”
I’m so glad I did too – the audiobook is short, but inspiring. I need more of this kind of content in my life – stop overthinking things. Start telling yourself a different soundtrack for your life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (it was 5 ⭐️ on ebook and it’s 5 more ⭐️ on audio)
——
I’ve been following Jon Acuff on and off for years. His books on business have been helpful in my desire to start and finish goals that were not business related more often than not. When his new book was just an idea, I stopped following him on Instagram because I’d just read Anne Bogel’s book on the same subject and thought “he’d never be able to do it better than her so why waste my time.”
He passes the book off as overcoming overthinking but it’s more of a thought-work/rewriting your brain method. The preorder bonuses were good so I ordered, then joined the launch team, then got an ARC to read early, then signed up for his OOC event the first week of March. Read the book in just a few hours and wrote so many notes during day 1 of the challenge (less than an hour) that I ran out of post-it’s.
It’s so good I’ll probably read the paperback then listen to the audiobook all before the middle of summer. So many practical suggestions about rewriting the soundtrack (that thought cycle you listen to all day, every day) that I can apply right away.
When a thought comes ask: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind? If all three aren’t a YES then find a new thought. It takes time to rewrite your soundtracks. That time is the effort needed to live a happier life, one where you’re the biggest fan of you and all you do is root for yourself. Even if the world is crashing down and seems to be entirely against you, what help does it do for you to be against you.
You’re the narrator of your story … and if the narrator isn’t rooting for the main character then why should anyone else?
I had an ARC of this book because I was on the launch team, so I read it months ago (and reviewed it). This week when I finished my previous audio book and had run out of podcasts in my feed I was interested in (so many are released on Tuesdays and I finish them by end of the day on Thursday), I thought “Let’s listen to Jon.”
I’m so glad I did too – the audiobook is short, but inspiring. I need more of this kind of content in my life – stop overthinking things. Start telling yourself a different soundtrack for your life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (it was 5 ⭐️ on ebook and it’s 5 more ⭐️ on audio)
——
I’ve been following Jon Acuff on and off for years. His books on business have been helpful in my desire to start and finish goals that were not business related more often than not. When his new book was just an idea, I stopped following him on Instagram because I’d just read Anne Bogel’s book on the same subject and thought “he’d never be able to do it better than her so why waste my time.”
He passes the book off as overcoming overthinking but it’s more of a thought-work/rewriting your brain method. The preorder bonuses were good so I ordered, then joined the launch team, then got an ARC to read early, then signed up for his OOC event the first week of March. Read the book in just a few hours and wrote so many notes during day 1 of the challenge (less than an hour) that I ran out of post-it’s.
It’s so good I’ll probably read the paperback then listen to the audiobook all before the middle of summer. So many practical suggestions about rewriting the soundtrack (that thought cycle you listen to all day, every day) that I can apply right away.
When a thought comes ask: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind? If all three aren’t a YES then find a new thought. It takes time to rewrite your soundtracks. That time is the effort needed to live a happier life, one where you’re the biggest fan of you and all you do is root for yourself. Even if the world is crashing down and seems to be entirely against you, what help does it do for you to be against you.
You’re the narrator of your story … and if the narrator isn’t rooting for the main character then why should anyone else?
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