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Things That Matter

Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life

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Things That Matter

Written by: Joshua Becker
Narrated by: Joshua Becker
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About this listen

#1 WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER • Discover practical steps you can take today to live a life focused on things that matter, from the bestselling author of The More of Less and The Minimalist Home.

Things That Matter points the way to free ourselves from the distractions of everyday life so that we can build the lives we seek to create.”—Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project

Everywhere around you are distractions: That text you respond to quickly, just to get it out of the way. The newest money-making side hustle to cross your mind. The evening spent organizing your overflowing kitchen cupboards.

Disruptions are the enemies of a life well lived—both the new distractions of our generation and timeless ones that have existed for centuries. They all add up to make you feel restless, tired, and unfulfilled. They’re keeping you from living with joy, from accomplishing the good that only you can do.

But that can change today.

In Things That Matter, Joshua Becker uses practical exercises, questions, insights from a nationwide survey, and success stories to give you the motivation you need to:

  • Identify the pursuits that matter most to you
  • Align your dreams with your daily priorities
  • Recognize how money and possessions keep you from happiness
  • Become aware of how others’ opinions of you influence your choices
  • Embrace what you’re truly passionate about instead of planning that next escape
  • Figure out what to do with all those emails, notifications, and pings
  • Let go of past mistakes and debilitating habits

Things That Matter is a book about living well. It’s about overcoming the chatter of a world focused on all the wrong things. It’s about rethinking the common assumptions of today to find satisfaction and fulfillment tomorrow.

How do we get to the end of our lives with minimal regrets? We set aside lesser pursuits to seek lasting meaning. And we discover the joy of doing it every day.

©2022 Joshua Becker (P)2022 Random House Audio
Personal Success Happiness Inspiring Career
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What the critics say

"The thought-provoking insights and stories inside Things That Matter will help you live your one precious life with more presence, purpose, and peace.”—Rachel Macy Stafford, New York Times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama

“This book’s siren call—that we should aim to be generous, not wealthy, and get dirt under our fingernails by serving others—cements Joshua’s status as a much-needed voice of reason and kindness in the modern world.”—Helen Russell, bestselling author of How to Be Sad

“Ten years from now it won’t really matter what shoes you wore today, how your hair looked, or what brand of clothes you wore. What will matter is how you lived, how you loved, and what you learned along the way. And Things That Matter is a beautiful guide for getting there.”—Marc and Angel Chernoff, New York Times bestselling authors of Getting Back to Happy

What listeners say about Things That Matter

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great book

Excellent book!! Really got me reflecting on how Im living and why. I highly recommend!

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inspiring read and good for reflection

Thank you Joshua. Your work has inspired me.
I appreciate the sound advice in this book. Really a help for mental health as well.

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Laser focused advice

Man does this book make you think. The last couple chapters had me scribbling notes and really digging deep. So much more work to do to figure out my purpose, but I know what questions to ask myself now, and I can work to push aside the distractions to make time for new, more important pursuits. Thank you, Joshua!

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Very important things to be thinking through

My husband and I really enjoyed listening to this book it is very thought provoking. I appreciate books that cause some self reflection and that is what this book did for us. I find in life we often need to be reminded about important things may times simply because as humans we do easily get distracted or are forgetful. I would recommend this book to others. Use it as a way of reflecting on your own life. You don't have to agree with every single thing an author says to take something valuable from it.

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Thank you Joshua !

Absolutely loved this book. Big fan of Joshua Becker. Now I want to share this book with everybody I know . Exactly what I needed to hear now . Thank you Joshua .

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Amazing

Very powerful I loved the unique perspective and the sound of his voice and just how the whole book float. It was a very good read. I would totally recommend it and read it again.

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Great Ideas

The book was full of great ideas. you need to take notes. I am going to listen again, without distractions, and take notes. Needs a PDF with the questions.

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Mixed feelings

A lot of what he says ties to be minimalist or Christian. Just because you're not doing good deeds for free for others doesn't mean your life is not meaningful. what about just living a good positive life. I will take good things from this book and use them thanks btw.

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Unoriginal

I feel this book shares no original ideas, but instead is a man that repeats the common life lessons/mottos we all have heard seen many times before. I get the sense he carriers a saviour complex which is likely causing harm he does not see. Overall do not recommend

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