“How do we get to the end of our lives with minimal regrets? We choose well. We set aside lesser pursuits to seek meaning in our lives. And we do it every single day.” —Joshua Becker
My new book, Things That Matter, is now available.
The Book I Had to Write
Three years ago, I sat in a Conference Room in Mesa, AZ attending a workshop called Start Finishing. At the beginning of the seminar, Charlie Gilkey, our trainer for the event, asked each of a pointed question:
“With your eyes closed, answer this, ‘If you were to die today, what is the one project you would be most disappointed that you weren’t able to complete?'”
After the question, we shared around the table what work we saw as most important. The young woman next to me mentioned an art project she wanted to complete. A mother of two spoke about her desire to prepare her two teenagers for life.
For me, without hesitation, I answered Charlie’s question this way: If I were to die today, I would be most disappointed that I never got a chance to write that book I’ve been thinking about for a long time now.
A book that takes the principles of minimalism I am known for and paints a bigger picture of how distractions can keep us from meaning, purpose, and satisfaction.
Things That Matter is that book. And I’ve spent the last three years working on it.
There is one message that drives me more than any other—and it’s not helping people clean out their closets, as useful as that is. The one message that burns most in my heart is the invitation to live an intentional, meaningful life.
I’ve used this blog for the last thirteen years to write on many of the distractions that are covered in the book: Money, Possessions, Fame, Technology, Leisure… even Fear and Regrets.
It’s one of the reasons people keep coming back to Becoming Minimalist year after year—this blog has always been about more than owning less. It’s about living a meaningful life—one that accomplishes the most good for the most number of people.
About Things That Matter
Things That Matter is a book about living well. It’s about overcoming the noise of a world focused on all the wrong things. And rethinking the common assumptions of today to find satisfaction and fulfillment tomorrow.
More specifically, Things That Matter will help you:
• identify the pursuits that matter most to you
• align your dreams with your daily priorities
• recognize how money and possessions can 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
• let go of past mistakes and debilitating habits
• figure out what to do with all those emails, notifications, and pings
I’m proud of the book. If you have found benefit from my writing here on Becoming Minimalist in either owning less or living more intentionally, you will enjoy and appreciate Things That Matter.
Where to Find Things That Matter
The book is available in three formats:
1. Hardcover
You can support your community by purchasing Things That Matter at your local bookstore.
Or at any online retailer:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-a-Million
Bookshop.org
Changing Hands
ChristianBook.com
Hudson Booksellers
Powell’s
Target
Walmart
2. Ebook
Things That Matter can be read on your mobile device:
Kindle
Apple Books
Nook
Google Play
Kobo
3. Audiobook
And it is available as an audiobook narrated by me:
Apple Books
Audible
Audiobooks.com
Google Play
Libro.fm
—International
If you are outside the USA, check your regional Amazon site for pricing and release dates. However, many international outlets are already out of stock!
If that is the case in your part of the world, Book Depository is currently offering free shipping to anywhere in the world for Things That Matter.
—
As I write in the acknowledgment section of the book, “Thank you to the entire Becoming Minimalist community, your encouragement and support have allowed me to do what I do.”
I am grateful to finally share this work with you.
PS: I’ll be hosting a live, 4-week virtual book club to discuss the book directly with you. The online Book Club begins Friday, April 29 and is free for anyone who orders the book this week in any format, from any retailer. Simply register here using your receipt number.
Hello, I am in a bookclub and we meet weekly to discuss 2 chapters at at time. Do you have bookclub discussion questions by chapter and can I have access to the questions at the end of the book as I have the audible version and don’t have a print out of the questions. Thank you for your help!
Laurie
I’ve been keenly following your Minimalist home principles for about a year now and my wardrobe is less than half, My mind is more clear on what I absolutely need.
I got the book on audible and am on Chapter 6, deeply touched by your narration of starting the Hope Effect with your sister and the story of the young kid who gave away all her savings for the puppy . So moving and motivating. I’ve immediately increased my donation to our local food pantry, started a new donation to The Hope Effect.
I’d love to do something similar in India, my home country where poverty is rampant and orphan care is much needed.
Just finished the book on Audible. Now I want to print out the exercise from the end of the book and share with family. Is there a link to this exercise on the web?
Linnea
I just finished listening to the audio book. It was very encouraging, thank you. I was wondering if you have a worksheet version of the questions at the end of the book to help us figure out our purpose?
On chapter 5 now (on audible) and loving this book! It’s insightful and hits at a deeper level then I expected by asking some questions that get to the root of your goals. I would highly recommend this book.
Thanks Tamara.
Just bought the book….waiting for its arrival. Looking forward to the book club event!
Dear Joshua, congratulations on your new publication. I’ve read your free excerpts. I have not watched your videos and hope to have some afternoon to do this soon too
Joshua, love all you have written and your videos, you are a great inspiration and are really focusing now on arguably the most important topic of each of our lives.
I’ve long thought about what matters in life and how to live intentionally, and agreed that so many things such as minimalism are the means.. not the end.
All along I have taken your messages as cultivating meaning and passion and how you can help more people as the highest life achievement.
It is transcendence, where you are helping others to self-actualize. I’ve not come across a book that helps people achieve transcendence more than this book.
Its something I have been deeply pondering the last few years, and take this book and your recent focus on meaningful/intentional living as a sign its time for me to contribute to the world.
I agree with you that this book addresses what I feel is the most important topic you could cover, helping others become the best version of themselves and do things that really matter and help others and achieve transcendence, and this is a legacy you have given the world.
What you are doing really matters. Encouraging others to get past roadblocks and find some way they can serve others in a significant and meaningful way, is the pinnacle of a life well lived.
Thank you for taking the time to create this, you are a great philosopher my friend.
This is a timeless book, this is your magnum opus.
This is beautiful Adam. Thank you.
Congrats! Have enjoyed your stuff and can’t wait to read in book form!
Congratulations on your Book Release Day!
Such an exciting day for you — the book was fantastic! I thought I knew what it was going to be about… but many of the chapters really surprised me (in a good way). I closed the book each night feeling more encouraged and motivated!