Listen free for 30 days

  • Things That Matter

  • Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life
  • Written by: Joshua Becker
  • Narrated by: Joshua Becker
  • Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (51 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Things That Matter cover art

Things That Matter

Written by: Joshua Becker
Narrated by: Joshua Becker
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $23.31

Buy Now for $23.31

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

#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

What the critics say

“Packed with insights and practical examples, Things That Matter points the way to free ourselves from everyday distractions - money, possessions, past mistakes, applause, and fear - so that we can build the lives we seek to create.” (Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project)

“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 best-selling author of Hands Free Mama)

Things That Matter is a must-read to recenter yourself and filter out the distractions of the world.” (Chris Norton, motivational keynote speaker featured in 7 Yards)

What listeners say about Things That Matter

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    39
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    35
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    31
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars

great book

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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 .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Tia
  • 2022-10-13

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful