Detailed Summary

We are often scared to accept it when we find the next best thing for us in our lives, profession, or relationships. The reason is not the thing itself. What makes it hard for us to move from one thing to another is the fatigue we face while making this decision to switch and move. We tend to overthink and overanalyze. Sometimes we even feel scared and intimidated by the next right thing. Emily P Freeman in the next right thing book shares experiences from her personal and the holy bible to push you towards the next best thing and ease the process of decision-making for you.

You need to declutter and minimize your life in order to sharpen the decisions you make daily. There is no shame in being a beginner and that is why this label should not stop you from trying new, different, and intimidating things in life. Do not overthink the outcomes of the far future. Just choose the next right thing and you will be good to go!

The Next Right Thing Book Summary Key Points

Being a Beginner VS Beginnings

If I ask you, what you generally think about new things and beginnings you will probably reply to my question with one of the following ideas: new beginnings are refreshing, they are exciting, they present new possibilities, new chances, or a chance to do over. In short, most of us welcome new beginnings. Like the transition from school to college and the transition from autumn to winter every year.

On the contrary, being a beginner is a perception that is not eagerly welcomed. If you are a beginner at something that translates as you being weak, not perfect. Being a beginner means you will be making a lot of mistakes. Due to these preconceived notions, most of us are shy at starting over and letting others know that we are a beginner. If I am a beginner at painting; I will be less likely to show my artwork to the world because of the fear of judgment towards myself and my art. The author, Emily P Freeman advises the readers to accept this initial stage with an open heart and mind. Instead of rushing towards the final stage of mastery, accept and learn through the beginning.

Outcomes Vs Present Moment

Many times, we are scared to decide because we are analyzing the outcomes, results, and future. To overcome this, the author advises you to stay in the present and see if the decision will affect you in the present. Think about making one decision at a time. Think about the next right thing. Does finishing this task help manage the stress that is weighing you down? Now ask yourself what can be the next right thing in this situation and not the possible outcomes in the far future.

 Remember these words by Theodore Roosevelt: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing… and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Modern Humans Do Not Have Great Decision-Making Skills and Here is Why

Sometimes you listen to the stories of great Greek Gods, scientists that have lived in the past, and your brave ancestors. These anecdotes make all of us wonder how they had such amazing decisions making skills. They used to make a decision and after that, they stood firm on it, no matter what happened their confidence did not waver. The reason is just not the firmness they had in their character and the confidence they had in their abilities. Other things made their decision-making skills sharp too and a simple, decluttered, and minimal life is one of those reasons.

On the other hand, as a human living in the twenty-first century, I can say with affirmation that my day is not simple nor is any activity in it. In the modern world, our concentration is constantly divided.  we get notified every second with useless crap as well as stressful news.  this hinders and slows down the part of our brain that deals with decision-making. To cope with the noise of the world, the author keeps all of her notifications off. In this way, she gives attention to things only when she decides to. A minimal lifestyle where nothing is weighing you down will improve the quality of your life.

The Next Right Thing Book Quotes

“Just because things change doesn’t mean you chose wrong in the first place. Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have to do it forever.” ― Emily P. Freeman

“Desire often lives next door to grief inside the soul. Access the grief, and you wake up the longing as well.” ― Emily P. Freeman

The Next Right Thing Book Review

The Next Right Thing is a great book for those who suffer from anxiety while they make decisions and for people who do not want to try new things outside of their comfort zone. If you are religious, you will also like the embedded anecdotes from the bible and the life of Jesus.

To Whom I Would Recommend the Next Right Thing Book

• To the anxious and indecisive nerd who spends a lot of time overthinking his decisions.
• To anyone who wants to make quick, smart, and right decisions in their daily life.
• And to the millennials who do not want to be labeled as ‘beginners’.