The average person makes an astonishing 70 decisions per day. This may range from the mundane, like whether to have cereal or toast for breakfast, to the profound, such as choosing a life partner or finding a new job. While not every decision carries the same weight, the toll of constant decision-making can add up. The average American second-guesses more than a third of their daily decisions, and more than a quarter find decision-making stressful.
Luckily, decision-making books can help make this process easier and increase your confidence in your choices. The best books on decision-making can also help you learn how to make good decisions while decreasing your stress and worry.
Decision-Making Books Worth Reading
Books on decision-making can improve your life by moving you from impulsive reactions to choices based on strategy. Books can help you identify the mental shortcuts that have derailed your decision-making in the past and create repeatable frameworks to make good judgments.
This list of great books about decision-making is based on the reputation and qualifications of the authors, commercial success of the books, awards they have received and critical kudos upon publication. As a senior correspondent covering media for Forbes for nearly a decade, I also drew on my knowledge of the publishing industry and my research on relationship books and communications books to put together this list. The list includes a mix of both science- and experienced-based books to suit different tastes.
1. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (2011)
Written by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, this New York Times bestseller has sold more than 2.6 million copies and was named one of the Wall Street Journal’s best books of 2011. Kahneman explains the two systems of the brain—one fast and intuitive, the other deliberate and logical—and how they work together on decisions.
This book is best for those who want a better grip on when to trust their intuition. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is available from publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan.
2. Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke (2019)
Annie Duke is a former World Series of Poker champion who became a business consultant, advising leaders based on the decision-making strategies that made her great at taking chances. Her bestselling book outlines smart ways to play the odds when faced with uncertainty, such as finding ways to minimize risk.
This book is best for poker fans and those who want to stop making decisions based on emotions. Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke is available from publisher Portfolio, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
3. Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio (2017)
A No. 1 New York Times bestseller that has moved more than 5 million copies, the book draws on lessons Ray Dalio learned as the founder of Bridgewater Associates, a hugely successful investment firm. He urges readers to approach life and business decisions based on a set of tightly defined rules.
This book is best for those who find comfort in organization and precision, two qualities that uphold Dalio’s principles. Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio is available from publisher Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
4. The Decision Book: Fifty Models for Strategic Thinking by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler (2012)
Translated by Jenny Piening, this international bestseller by a journalist and a creative producer draws on teachings from MBA courses, distilling their 50 best decision-making models into a list. The models can guide you in creating better presentations, judging others’ business ideas or even getting to know yourself better.
This book is best for visual learners, as it includes lots of detailed visual process guides. The Decision Book: Fifty Models for Strategic Thinking by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler is available from publisher W.W. Norton.
5. Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness (Final Edition) by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein (2021)
This updated edition of Nudge explains how to use choice architecture, a term economist Richard H. Thaler coined, to improve decision-making. It includes loads of real-life insights on decisions related to debt, retirement, medical care and more. Plus, Daniel Kahneman, author of the No. 1 book on this list, recommends Nudge.
This book is best for people looking for a fun way to navigate decision-making, as the authors emphasize finding joy in the process. Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein is available from publisher Yale University Press.
6. Decisions That Matter: How to Make Decisions in a World of Endless Choice by Adrienne Adhami (2025)
Advances in technology have created more choices in our daily lives than previous generations faced. Business advisor Adrienne Adhami says the best way to make these decisions is to tune out distractions and build confidence in your choices. She also details ways to preserve mental energy when making decisions.
This book is best for anyone experiencing decision fatigue. Decisions That Matter: How to Make Decisions in a World of Endless Choice by Adrienne Adhami is available from publisher Penguin Random House UK.
7. Think Smarter: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills to Refresh Your Decision Making by Michael Kallet (2014)
Critical thinking expert Michael Kallet offers a template to train your brain to improve your critical thinking skills and make better decisions. He provides exercises to aid you in working through a problem and real-world examples of how to use your new critical thinking tools.
This book is best for those who want step-by-step coaching for changing their approach to decision-making. Think Smarter: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills to Refresh Your Decision Making by Michael Kallet is available from publisher Wiley.
8. Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip Heath and Dan Heath (2013)
This reader-friendly book by brothers Chip and Dan relies heavily on anecdotes and case studies to illustrate how to stop getting distracted by short-term emotions in our decision-making and start noticing all the ways we could change course. The Heaths, business strategy experts, explain what information to include in decision-making and what to leave out.
This book is best for people who doubt their current decision-making process. Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip Heath and Dan Heath is available from publisher Crown Currency, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
9. Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman (2012)
Making good decisions is foundational for great leadership. Gino Wickman created The Entrepreneurial Operating System® after taking over his family business. It creates cornerstones for decision-making by addressing six core areas: vision, people, data, issues, process and traction. He argues that shortcomings in these areas hurt the business and prevent decisions from being made.
This book is best for business leaders who struggle with decision-making. Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman is available from publisher BenBella Books.
10. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes (2015)
Superstar producer Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy) found herself in a rut when she realized she was refusing most of the fabulous invitations her unique position afforded her. She decided to say “yes” to everything for a year to help balance her “no” instincts and bring more nuanced decision-making into her life.
This memoir is best for those who struggle to try new things. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes is available from publisher Simon & Schuster.
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