“What is one next right thing you can do today?” – Emily P. Freeman, The Next Right Thing
The Basics
Title: The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman
Genre: Christian Living
From the Back Cover: Nothing gets our attention like an unmade decision: Should I accept the new position? Which schooling choice is best for my kids? How can I support my aging parents? When we have a decision to make and the answer isn’t clear, what we want more than anything is peace, clarity, and a nudge in the right direction.
If you have trouble making decisions, because of either chronic hesitation you’ve always lived with or a more recent onset of decision fatigue, Emily P. Freeman offers a fresh way of practicing familiar but often forgotten advice: simply do the next right thing. With this simple, soulful practice, it is possible to clear the decision-making chaos, quiet the fear of choosing wrong, and find the courage to finally decide without regret or second-guessing.
Whether you’re in the midst of a major life transition or are weary of the low-grade anxiety that daily life can bring, Emily helps create space for your soul to breathe so you can live life with God at a gentle pace and discern your next right thing in love.
My Thoughts
I have been indecisive my whole life. I tend to be a black-and-white thinker, so I often feel like there are only two choices: right or wrong, and I feel pressure to make the right one. Since decision making is something I’ve struggled with, I was excited to read Emily P. Freeman’s new book! If you’ve listened to her podcast, also called The Next Right Thing, some of the content in the book may be familiar. I haven’t listened to the podcast, but the book exceeded my expectations!
This book is not a guide making quick decisions and it won’t give you easy answers, but it is an invitation to a slower, more reflective way of living. Focusing on doing the next right thing, through the practices outlined in the book, helps to cut through everyday “decision fatigue” and to gain clarity when making big life decisions. Even if you don’t have a big decision to make now, reading this book would still be a good way to prepare your heart and mind for when you are facing one in the future.
Each chapter is short and easy to read, with a prayer and a practice (an action step or reflection) at the end. I found myself underlining parts in almost every chapter; this is one of those books you could read again and learn something every time. I especially enjoyed the chapters on embracing being a beginner, staying in today, and not rushing clarity. There’s something in this book for everyone, and it would make a great gift – especially for graduates or anyone going through a transition.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, Revell!