Try free for 30 days

  • Things That Matter

  • Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life
  • By: Joshua Becker
  • Narrated by: Joshua Becker
  • Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (55 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Things That Matter cover art

Things That Matter

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

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

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

Critic Reviews

“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)

More from the same

What listeners say about Things That Matter

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    42
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    34
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

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
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A lot of value, again, from Joshua Becker’s book

As always, a joy to listen to Joshua reading his own work. Content a nice follow up on his previous work and again, a great help in staying on the path of living a more meaningful life, focussing on things that matter. I especially enjoyed how Joshua guides you step by step how to figure out what matters to you and how you can use your talents to make your own and other’s life better. 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

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

more like a lecture than a book but all good

felt like a collection of TED talks strung together. I enjoy his writing and have read a lot of blog posts so very consistent with those

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
    4 out of 5 stars

Loved this book.

Great opportunity to Declutter your mind and life for a life of purpose. Loved this book

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

Highly recommended

Such an easy read, with so many concepts presented that help change your perspective on different aspects of our lives. I particularly liked the chapter on work and retirement and how we should change our mindset around how we view them. A very worthy read!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Things That Matter

I liked the book, because it helped me reflect on things I hadn’t thought about.
Living a life on purpose & making more space for what really counts will ultimately make my own life more worthwhile. Therefore I give this book a thumbs up.


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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

A bit generic and preachy for my liking

Having read/listened to some minimalist texts (and no minimalism isn't just about throwing out possessions!), I thought I'd give this a go given who the author is. To be clear, "Things that matter" is not about minimalism, but more so a guide on how to live with purpose. While a laudable goal (and it's obvious that the author is passionate), I found it to be loaded with platitudes and stories that the author considers to be inspirational, rather than being practical. It may be some people's cup of tea, but it wasn't for me.

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

It wasn’t what I expected

I’ve been a fan of the author for close to 6 years and this wasn’t what I expected.
At times it felt very preachy and has taken me 3 months to finish listening too. Often choosing anything else than to be lectured too. I’m sure this isn’t how he meant it but I found it hard to swallow.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.