Your Next Right Thing

How are you at making decisions?

I can be terrible at decisions because I consistently hesitate. I want to know all the options and explore all possible outcomes before I decide. Which means that you might see me in analysis paralysis at Target trying to decide which milk/shampoo/crackers/mouthwash to buy. Quick decisions don’t come easily to me.

It’s probably because there are so many decisions to make in a day with endless options. Psychologists say that many of us suffer from decision fatigue.

Decision fatigue is that sense of exhaustion and frustration we feel from having to make so many decisions. Yes, it’s big decisions like whether we should move, which school to send our kids to, or where to go on our next vacation. But more often than not, decision fatigue comes from the hundreds, maybe thousands, of decisions we have to make in a day. Like what to wear, what to make for dinner, saying yes or no to a play date your kids were invited to, joining that committee, etc.

It’s all those little decisions that just plain wear me out sometimes. You too?

Enter The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman. In Chapter 1 she says, “The decision is rarely the point. The point is you becoming more fully yourself in the presence of God.”

Love that.

This was the first book of Emily’s that I’ve read, and it came in the perfect season for me. Summer is often the time when I’m trying to decide what to focus on in the fall when my kids head back to school. I read it this summer, honestly hoping for some big revelation of what my next right thing would be.

The answers didn’t come all at once and when they did, they weren’t big or anything new. I felt God telling me to keep working on the things He’s already called me to do. I work on some of those things regularly, but others I’ve held in my heart and head, a little afraid to take the next step. I know my next right thing is to make space for those things. (Stay tuned for details on one of those things next week!)

The Next Right Thing is a book I know I’ll come back to again and again. I write in my books and there were so many things I underlined and starred that I want to remember. It gives practical tools to making daily decisions like picking what you like, finding a no mentor, and wearing better pants, just to name a few.

Each chapter is packed with great insight and wisdom, along with a practical step and a prayer.

Your next right thing might be to get a copy of the book for yourself. You can get it for just $8.92 via Amazon!* It’s a beautiful hardback book and normally retails for $19.99.

I also recommend subscribing to Emily’s podcast, also called The Next Right Thing. My friend Ginger told me about it last year and I’ve found it really beneficial. The episodes are short, but powerful. I admit that it took me some time to get used to the tone and rate of the podcast because it’s slower and more reflective than most other podcasts I listen to. But I’ve come to love it. I hope you will too.

I’d love to know: what is your best tip for making decisions?

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which mean I may receive a small commission for your purchase at no cost to you. I only recommend products and companies I personally use or think you’ll enjoy. :)