Easier Done Than Thought
Làm thấy dễ - Nghĩ mới khó
By Phuong Bui
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In Easier Done Than Thought, Phương Bùi explores overthinking, procrastination and mindful observation through everyday experiences. A bilingual Vietnamese–English book.
Easier Done Than Thought by Phương Bùi begins with a familiar moment: sitting down to write while the mind suggests waiting for a beautiful day, the right time or a feeling of readiness. That experience opens a reflection on the thoughts that can hold us back before we begin. Stories about writing, learning English, playing piano, exercising and family life explore how the mind produces reasons to delay. Thoughts about difficulty, tiredness and fear can turn an ordinary task into a burden before it has even started. The author invites readers to notice those thoughts while taking action. Mindful observation runs throughout the book: recognizing thoughts as they arise, watching them come and go, and understanding their influence through experience. The reflections encourage gentleness toward oneself and question the habit of suppressing uncomfortable thoughts with imposed positive thinking. This edition presents Vietnamese and English text, short passages, lines with a poetic rhythm and illustrations. The English translation is by Đặng Thu and Trần Ngọc Anh. The author suggests reading with ease, continuing through passages that are not immediately clear and returning to them through everyday observation.
Who it is for
Readers who overthink, put things off or wait to feel ready before starting. People curious about how thoughts of difficulty, fear or fatigue affect their actions. Readers interested in mindful observation and understanding themselves in daily life. Those who enjoy short reflective passages, illustrations and bilingual Vietnamese–English reading.
Key ideas
- 01
Recognizing procrastination
Notice the reasons the mind gives for waiting or leaving a task until tomorrow.
- 02
Thoughts and action
Recognize thoughts as they arise while beginning the work in front of you.
- 03
Mindful observation
Watch thoughts come and go and explore how they operate.
- 04
Gentleness toward yourself
Question self-imposed pressure and the suppression of difficult thoughts with forced positivity.
- 05
Starting small
Bring observation into writing, learning, exercise and ordinary tasks.
- 06
Understanding through experience
Relate the reflections to what is happening in your own daily life.
Questions and answers
Who wrote Easier Done Than Thought?
The book was written by Phương Bùi. Its Vietnamese title is Làm thấy dễ - Nghĩ mới khó.
What is the book about?
It explores how thoughts can create hesitation and a sense of difficulty before a task begins, along with mindful observation and action in everyday life.
Is this book relevant to overthinking and procrastination?
Its stories examine being held back by thoughts, waiting for the right moment and finding it difficult to begin. Readers can relate those experiences to their own lives.
Is this ebook in English?
This is a bilingual Vietnamese–English edition. The English translation is by Đặng Thu and Trần Ngọc Anh.
Do I need prior knowledge of mindful observation?
The book introduces its reflections through everyday language and experiences such as writing, learning piano, studying English and exercising.
How does the author suggest reading the book?
Read with ease and continue through passages that are not immediately clear. You can return to the book later and observe how its reflections connect with your experience.
Ideas and articles about this book
Idea
How can a small task help us understand our thoughts?Easier Done Than Thought places observation within writing, learning and daily routines. A small task offers experience against which to compare what the mind predicts.
Idea
Must we force positive thinking when reluctant to act?Easier Done Than Thought invites gentleness and observation of thoughts as they are. Recognizing an uncomfortable thought can accompany action without forcing positivity.
Idea
Why can waiting to feel ready make starting harder?Easier Done Than Thought begins with reasons for waiting before writing a book. It invites readers to recognize delay and explore those thoughts through everyday action.
Article
Easier Done Than Thought: Beginning While Still HesitantRead Phương Bùi’s reflections on waiting, small actions and noticing thoughts while doing something, without adding pressure to feel positive.
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