The Good Decision Diary - by Anna Mathur (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

'A guiding star in a world filled with infinite choices' - Emma Reed Turrell

The gentle guide to getting where you want to go, without beating yourself up on the way there.

I'll never eat sugar again!
I'll work out every single morning!
I will never, ever shout at my kids!

Sound familiar? Anna Mathur, Sunday Times bestselling author and psychotherapist, has been there too. In The Good Decision Diary, Anna introduces a compassionate and realistic alternative to unsustainable promises. This isn't about perfection - it's about progress.

The journey begins with 21 days of reflection and observation, where Anna shares her own experiences and equips you with tools to approach change with kindness and curiosity.

From there, she gently guides you through a 14-day practice of questioning behaviours, challenging long-held beliefs about change, and identifying patterns of self-sabotage. You'll discover how a decision that nurtures you one day can hinder you the next - and how to tell the difference in the moment.

The Good Decision Diary will help you make better decisions, not all of the time, but more of the time.

'An essential companion' - Zoe Blaskey

'Compassionate, real, and quietly powerful' - Simon Gilham

Review Quotes

Anna Mathur asks just the right questions to stop us sleepwalking through life, getting what matters most to us front and centre, without the usual self-flagellation. Her prompts and approach help us become our own accountability partner, brainstorming new ways of responding to life and self--Suzy Reading

Anna's diary made me feel supported and seen, but crucially also, gently challenged. Her honest encouraging words prompt a realistic personal accountability with grace and understanding at the core. As always with Anna's writing, it left me feeling uplifted and understood--Ellie Taylor

Anna guides us safely and expertly through our inner dialogue and our outer worlds--Julia Bradbury

A reassuring and comforting read, offering immediately actionable insights. It stands as a guiding star in a world filled with infinite choices and indecision--Emma Reed Turrell

The Good Decision Diary offers a reflective, low-pressure approach to personal growth. It's designed as a daily guide for those looking to untangle habits and better understand their inner voice, with more gentleness than the typical fix-yourself-fast approach--Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Neuroscientist and author of Tiny Experiments

Anna provides a transformative approach to personal growth. This book is an essential companion for anyone looking to make meaningful changes with kindness and self-awareness--Zoe Blaskey, Founder of Motherkind

Compassionate, real, and quietly powerful. Anna gives you permission to stop chasing perfection and instead start making progress that actually sticks--Simon Gilham, author of Stop Lying to Yourself

This book is like a dear, wise friend who knows you, gets you, believes in you and is wholeheartedly committed to helping you grow. Like any dear friend, keep it close--Fiona Buckland

About the Author

Anna Mathur is a psychotherapist and bestselling author. She's passionate about taking therapy beyond the consulting room, sharing honest, supportive insights drawn from her personal and professional experience. She offers encouragement through her books, Instagram (@annamathur), online courses, in-person events and her podcast, The Therapy Edit, which had over four million downloads. Anna also works with corporate organisations to support mental wellbeing and regularly share her thoughts in national media, including TV, radio and press.