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\nWhatever it is\u2014your thinking, that is\u2014just know this: according to some, it might be the source of most (if not all) of your problems.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the gist of a book I just picked up. I was at Barnes & Noble to grab a copy of Orwell\u2019s 1984 (a story for another post!) when a small stack of books caught my eye at the checkout counter. Sitting on top was a tidy little hardback with an irresistible title: \u201cDon\u2019t Believe Everything You Think.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Cute. Creative. Clickbait for the analog world.<\/p>\n It piqued my curiosity. Plus, the book had that satisfying heft in the hand and, thanks to some B&N credits, it was basically free.<\/p>\n Why the curiosity? I\u2019ve long wrestled with my own thinking. I think a lot. Too much, I think. Sometimes it serves me well. Other times, it takes me down mental rabbit holes with no cheese at the end.<\/p>\n See? There I go again\u2014thinking about my thinking<\/a>.<\/p>\n So I figured: maybe this Nguyen fellow might provide some valuable insight.<\/p>\n Setting the Stage<\/strong><\/p>\n But before diving into the book\u2019s ideas, let me offer three quick caveats\u2014wisdom gleaned from four decades in politics, marketing, communications, and the occasional stint as a high school English teacher<\/a>. As for the latter, when analyzing a piece of non-fiction, I typically advise my students to do three things.<\/p>\n First, look up the author. Mr. Nguyen has a well-polished online presence: website, blog, Instagram, YouTube. But here\u2019s the catch\u2014no bio. No credentials. No clear academic or professional background. It\u2019s all sizzle, very little steak.<\/p>\n Second, when it comes to nonfiction, follow the sources. In this case, there aren\u2019t many. Vague personal anecdotes, sure. But no studies, no citations, no bibliography. It’s kind of like eating soup with a fork\u2014you’re not sure you’re getting the full nourishment.<\/p>\n Third, consider the style. Nguyen writes in a self-help, motivational speaker kind of tone. Lots of \u201cYou can do it!\u201d and \u201cHere\u2019s the secret I discovered!\u201d Think Tony Robbins meets the latest \u201close weight now!\u201d commercial.<\/p>\n The Big Claim<\/strong><\/p>\n Nguyen\u2019s core message is clear: \u201cThe root cause of our suffering is our own thinking.\u201d (pg. 21)<\/p>\n OK. I get it. As someone who struggles with overthinking, I can relate.<\/p>\n Yes, anxiety is rampant. A 2024 poll from the American Psychiatric Association<\/a> found that 43% of U.S. adults feel more anxious than last year. That\u2019s up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022.<\/p>\n Why the uptick? Some blame the economy. Others point to climate change. Or political polarization. Or gun violence. Jonathan Haidt, in The Anxious Generation<\/a>, puts the blame squarely on technology.<\/p>\n