Joshua Becker
Joshua Becker in 2019
Joshua Becker in 2019
Born (1974-12-11) December 11, 1974
Aberdeen, South Dakota, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Nebraska Omaha
Occupation(s)Writer, Pastor
Known for
  • ‘’Simplify’’
  • ‘’The More of Less’’
  • ‘’The Minimalist Home’
Websitewww.becomingminimalist.com

Joshua Becker (born 1974[1]) is an American author, writer, and philanthropist.

Becker has written four books on minimalism and intentional living, which have collectively sold hundreds of thousands of copies and have been translated from English into several languages including Chinese, Spanish, German, and Polish. In particular, his books The More of Less and The Minimalist Home have been named best sellers by the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Audible, and Amazon.[2]

He has appeared live on Huffington Post Live, the CBS Evening News and the Wall Street Journal. Becker has spoken publicly on his writing and on minimalism throughout America and internationally.[2]

He maintains the website Becoming Minimalist which was named one of the top ten personal development websites by SUCCESS Magazine in 2015.[3][4] He is currently a contributing writer at Forbes.[5]

Early life and education

Becker was born December 11, 1974, in Aberdeen, South Dakota as one of twins. With a sister born about a year later, the three were close in age and had a great influence on each other. His grandfather Harold Salem, a well-known pastor in Aberdeen, instilled a strong work ethic into the children. The family moved frequently.[1][6] Becker attended junior high and high school in Wahpeton, North Dakota between 1987 and 1992.[7] He finished high school at Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska,[8] and stayed there to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he would meet his future wife.[9][3] Becker attended graduate school at Bethel College and Seminary and completed a master's degree in theology.[10]

Career

Becker began his career as a pastor in Vermont.[7][11] In 2008, after a frustrating weekend of cleaning out the garage, Becker realized he was spending more time caring for his possessions than with his family. After this breakthrough, Becker became a writer and pioneer of the minimalism movement with his website Becoming Minimalist, which has garnered a following over a million readers a month and over a million fans on Facebook.[12][13] He cited that “the practical benefits of owning less are more money, more time, more calm, more freedom.”[14]

Becker has since downsized 75% of his possessions and written 5 books and a course detailing his experiences and methods of living a minimalist lifestyle.[15][16] Becker moved from Vermont with his wife and two children to Arizona, where they have remained since.[7][9]

He shared his family's experience as minimalists in the 2013 film Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, by American filmmakers Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known professionally as The Minimalists.[7] He also played the role of his pastor grandfather Harold Salem in the film Heart of a Shepherd.[6][17]

Inspired by his wife Kim Becker's own experience being adopted, in 2015 Becker and his wife founded The Hope Effect, a non-profit organization for orphan care.[15][18]

Publications

  • Clutterfree with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your home (2014, Becoming Minimalist) ISBN 978-0991438600
  • Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home & Life (2014, Digital) ASIN B006431ADS
  • The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own (2016, WaterBrook) ISBN 978-1601427960
    • Polish Translation: Im mniej, tym więcej. (2017, Znak) ISBN 978-83-240-4541-9
    • Chinese Translation: 极简：在你拥有的一切之下，发现你想要的生活. (2016, 天津人民出版社 Tianjin People's) ISBN 9787201108971
    • Spanish Translation: Más con menos. (2017, Unilit) ISBN 978-0789923479
    • German Translation: Weniger macht reich: Entdecken Sie die einfachste Art, glücklich zu leben. (2017, Gerth Medien) ISBN 978-3957342270
  • The Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life (2018, WaterBrook) ISBN 978-1601427991
  • Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life (2022, WaterBrook) ISBN 978-0593193976

References

  1. 1 2 Ehman, Mandi (2014-08-25). "Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow in the Life of Joshua Becker". Life Your Way. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  2. 1 2 "About the Author: Joshua Becker". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  3. 1 2 "OETC Community Interview: Joshua Becker". Educational Technology Purchasing Consortium. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  4. ↑ "And the 2015 #SUCCESSBlogStars Are…". SUCCESS. 2015-09-17. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  5. ↑ Valliant, Michael (2019-01-15). "Uncluttered:Less Stuff and More Adventure". Tidewater Times. Easton, MD: David C. Pulzone. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  6. 1 2 Pharris, Kelda J.L. (2017-12-04). "Biopic captures pastor's deeds: From 10 to 96, Harold Salem has led a full life". AberdeenNews.com. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Floersch, Alexandra (2017-09-11). "'Distraction from happiness'Writer encourages people to live with less". The Jamestown Sun. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  8. ↑ Lange-Kubick, Cindy (2014-02-06). "A minimalist comes to town". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
  9. 1 2 Andrews, Avital (2019-03-07). "Q&A with Minimalist Author Joshua Becker". AAA Via Magazine Arizona. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  10. ↑ Becker, Joshua (2016). The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own. About the Author: WaterBrook Multnomah. p. 231. ISBN 9781601427960.
  11. ↑ Hall, Derek (2018-12-15). "Feeling holiday stress? Consider a minimalist approach..." AZ Central for USA Today. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  12. ↑ Becker, Joshua (2019-01-25). "The Top 5 Ways to Declutter Your Home—and Keep It That Way". Parade. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  13. ↑ Chandramouli, Devishobha (2016-06-08). "The More Of Less: Craft An Intentional Life With Minimalism". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  14. ↑ Armstrong, Lisa (2018-10-22). "How to Raise a Minimalist". Real Simple. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  15. 1 2 Black, Michelle L. (2019-03-26). "I Tried Minimalism—and I Saved $150,000 in the Last 10 and a Half Years". Reader's Digest. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  16. ↑ Kaysen, Ronda (2019-03-29). "The Gurus of Tidiness: If You Like Marie Kondo …". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  17. ↑ Amundson, Barry (2018-05-13). "'Movie to premiere about Sunday morning regional TV staple who's still preaching at almost 97'". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  18. ↑ "How Joshua Becker Plans To Revolutionize Orphan Care In 2 Years". Frugaling. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
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