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Joshua Becker is a writer, blogger, speaker, pastor, husband, father… And he lives his life inspiring and encouraging others to find more life by owning fewer possessions. His story has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CBS, the Guardian and many more publications. Joshua Becker is the author of Simplify, Living with Less and Clutterfree with Kids.
Favorite Success Quote
“In every encounter we either give life or we drain it; there is no neutral exchange. ” – Brennan Manning
Key Points Early Challenge
1. Materialism is Overrated
We live in a society that not only encourages materialism, but demands it.
If you are not driving the fastest car, living in the biggest house possible, and wearing the most expensive clothes then average members of society will often look down on you.
But the thing is, those same people who might look down on you are living unfulfilling lives where they are constantly trying to keep up with the Jonses.
True fulfillment comes from relationships and experiences, not stuff.
You need to realize that materialism is wildly overrated.
While there is nothing wrong with having nice things, when you allow them to become a part of your identity and a determining factor in your happiness, you set yourself up for a failure and a life filled with broken promises.
2. Own Less and Experience More
Something that most people don’t realize is that the real juice of life is in the experiences that we have and the connections that we make with other people.
When you shift your focus from “Owning” to “Doing” your happiness and fulfillment will drastically increase.
Think about it…
What would really make you happier?
Doing what society wants and spending every penny of your new bonus on that fast car or taking that money and flying in old friends for a weekend in the mountains?
Are you really going to be happier in that bigger house? Or would it make you happier to invest the money that you would spend on a mortgage taking your wife out for a special date each month?
When you drop materialism and shift your focus to the experiences in your life, your happiness will skyrocket and you will realize that “stuff” doesn’t really make you happy.
3. Your “Things” Are Detracting From Your Life
Even though some of you might understand that it is more advantageous for your happiness and fulfillment to spend money on experiences and not things, what many of you might not realize is that the things you already own are detracting from the rest of your life.
Just think about it.
How would it feel if you never had to clean the garage again?
How would it feel is you didn’t have to spend time organizing your closet and sorting hundreds of clothes that you never wear?
How would it feel if you downsized your house and got to spend less time on maintaining and cleaning your excess space and more time hanging out with your kids.
The things that you own often end up owning you.
If you want to really level up your happiness and success then eliminate the excess from your life and focus only on the essentials.
Influential Books
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
More or Less Choosing a Lifestyle of Generosity by Jeff Shinaburger
Connect with Joshua Becker
Joshua’s Books: Simplify, Living with Less and ClutterFree Kids
Next Steps
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