9 Ways to Improve Your Life Through Subtraction and the Science Behind It 

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that my new book, Things That Matter, is finally here. I put my heart into it, and I can’t wait to share it with you. You can pick up a copy at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676394/things-that-matter-by-joshua-becker/

1. Owning Less Possessions 2. Remove Unhealthy habits 3. Remove Unhealthy Foods 4. Subtract Processes at Work 5. Spend Less 6. Walkaway from Unhealthy Relationships 7. Limit the Number of Goals 8. Limit Amount of Social Obligations 9. Fewer Words are better. Speak Wisely.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. Antoine de Saint-Exupery

4:07 - I was hyperinsulinemic, and EVERY doctor and nutritionist wanted to ADD medicines and this food and that food. Pro tip: I subtracted FOOD! I used to always eat a pretty good portion of meat, and I would then eat "all day long" and eat cookies and drink a 500 ml Mexican Coke (I mention the country because the Cokes from country to country have different formulae), &c. So, along with subtracting refined carbs and sugar, I subtracted TWO meals per day, and some days I subtract a day or two from my week of eating. This subtraction then subtracted my insulin levels and blood glucose. In a mere three months of "sticking to it"; I have reversed my Type 2 diabetes, lost 11 kgs, and sleep apnea. I feel kind of bad because I did ADD more sleep to my life, but that's a good thing! Thanks Joshua ... partly your videos of minimalist forced me to see that even food could be minimalised as well. God bless the Becker family forever!

As I age, I let go of many more stored possessions. I'm in my 70s and probably am not going to need skis or heavy power saws henceforth! I have found younger folks who will help me clean out my storage buildings and are delighted to take these things off my hands for personal use or to add to their flea marketing sales. I don't recall ever regretting giving these things away or needing them afterwards.

In the 1990's I took a class from some really smart Russian scientists on problem solving. In their system the first step was called "trimming". Can this problem part or issue be eliminated all together was their question. I've used this step in 100's of meetings working in a manufacturing business. Some of the best advice I had in my life, including my personal life. Add to that advise is to solve the root cause of problems rather than treating symptoms and you can improve almost any bad situation.

Instead of buying more boxes, baskets and filing systems to organize our stuff, why don’t we just get rid of most of our stuff?

Brilliant as always. Should be taught at schools .

I subtracted people, best decision ever.

“There is power in rest & solitude…” ahhhhh yes. Great video! Ty!

So true! The go-to solution to clutter is fancy organization or a system right? When the simplest solution is to own less so that you don't even need a system.

On my way to downsizing I find less is truly more ! Less chaos, and less to care for. It's like my mindset switched at some point and I'm finding it easier to let go of the unnecessary things. Thank you for your videos and guidance

Great video! In keeping with the principle of this message, I love how there are no ads in your videos!! ❤️

I wish I had back all those hours of "creative" meetings that got in the way of our team actually being creative.

One of your best videos. Thanks for keeping the content substantive, brief, and valuable. 👍🏻

Algebra comes from the Arabic word "جبارة" or "jabara" ... "al jabr", which means "to consolidate". So even in the 9th century, a mathematician in Bagdad was finding a way to simplify elaborate squared functions like solving triangles, &c. The idea of turning tirangles into 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 gave rise to sundials and eventually our clocks, which are nothing more than a "timing device" and gears (circular levers). Simple, simple, simple!

Very little added to life, materially, will ultimately change it for the better. Instead, seek wisdom and experience that enriches your spirit.

We shouldn’t be surprised by these studies, we have been trained by society that we need more than less. May GOD help us

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This makes so much sense, and really hits home in my current situation. I’ve been thinking about adding habits to my life to improve my life, but after hearing this and doing some thinking I think the simplest and more effective approach will be to remove things and habits. Thanks!

You’re great, Joshua! You helped me changed my perspectives and priorities in life! Thank you, Joshua❤️

Very interesting! Subtracting the many complications in my life has lead to simplicity and more relaxation. Thanks for the list of areas to consider.. There are definitely more areas in my life that could use some subtracting.

Great video. It really got me rethinking my lifestyle. Lockdown never became time for stillness for me. It became renovations and work commitments and extra jobs and I'm run down and burned out. Lockdown declared here in Victoria Australia today and I'm actually strangely enough on bed rest. Sometimes the Lord needs to really nudge us for us to see through the world's crazy expectations and our own ridiculous ones too. Thank you for your message.

This is a true minimalist.. No ads that drives consumerism and clouding people's minds on his videos!❤

Wow, I’m impressed with the way you described human behaviour in adding rather than subtracting. I do believe that minimalism and spiritualism are inseparable and in fact one can’t exist without the other. 🙏🏻

Very inspirational. “Simplify your schedule” especially hit home for me.

Simplicity and less is more. In the US, we have so much abundance and sometimes this can cause problems

I really like the point about using less words. Im pretty good at wording my emails efficiently but I struggle with finding words and I tend to repeat myself a lot or ramble in conversation

This is probably my favorite video on his channel, very much appreciated and will put to use 🙌🏽

🙎🏻‍♀️This holidays I just spent a few weeks in a tiny house. It reminded me of when I was a student. For those who do not know it is necessary to try the experiment. The only thing that seems essential to you is SPACE 🌳so if you absolutely want to live in a tiny house, you must have a large garden or a large lot or be located next to a green space or a park.🌳🌳🌳🌳 Not to mention that many people will live their entire lives in a tiny house and not necessarily by choice.

I love your videos. I recently discovered minimalism and have been really enjoying listening to your content whilst decluttering. Thank you!

Subtracting to solve a problem is a better solution, brilliant!

Easily one of my favorite videos you'd done so far. 🙌🏼

Every boss needs to watch this!

Mom used to say "the less you have, the less you want" :)

Thanks for mentioning work processes. I forget about that, but I'm in a position where I can really affect this for my company. Thank you!

This came at the most perfect time! Looking at storage solutions for rooms being rearranged. Time to remove instead of just shuffle/organize it all. Thank you!

Minimizing screen time also bring productive work.

Thank you Joshua, for sharing your observations and research. Love, blessings, perfect health to you and your family good man !👍🏼🙏🏼🥰

I appreciate your consistency. Your approach makes sense and I believe if we live this way- we will live in a better meaningful world. Thanks 🙏🏻

Confusions of the psychology of simplistic life! Thank you for your invaluable advice, bless you and your family ❤️

Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Just what I needed to hear right now.

Great subject. I had never looked at problems (consciously) like this. Looking forward to applying subtraction to my life. Thanks for introducing it to me & others.

I really love the way you explain and help us with your vídeos Tks from Brazil.

Need to put this on repeat. So so so good.

Thank you wake up call less is more in art never thought about it for my life Will be home soon going Start small and watch your videos Great channel And the fact that you live this life give me hope

Love this!!! Thank you so very much!!! Am decluttering and it makes me soooo happy!!!

‘Speak a good word or remain silent’ Prophet Muhammed (saw)

I think that is why the federal government is so bloated and out of control!

Thank you for sharing , I’ve read your books and implemented so many learnings in my daily life.

This video is absolutely brilliant! I want to share it with everyone I know. Thank you, Joshua!

Awesome, these qoutes mentioned are amazing. Keep it up, worth subbing

One of the best videos I've seen on RU-vid in a long time. So good, I had to share it with my sister! I love that you added the notion that we need to be of service to others without expecting anything in return, that could easily have been overlooked in the video, but you didn't!! Well done, you👏!

In software project management we were taught the same idea, project managers tend to put more people on a late project to help finish faster, but they end up adding more variables and delays

Love the emphasis on habits, and removing unhealthy repeated things in your life that add stress or drag you down! Makes so much more room in your life for what you truly value! 😊

Love this content, makes so much sense. Thank you 😊

Very useful achievable tips. Your advice is always very grounding and calming.

This is super helpful and eye opening. Thank you for sharing ❤

I really find your videos thought provoking and interesting but got to admit I also see them to marvel about your incredibly gorgeous and abundant hair!

When you wrote this article in your blog several weeks ago, it really helped advance my thinking. It's great to have this as a video too. Thanks for sharing this great concept!

The rich stay rich by spending like the poor and investing without stopping and the poor stay poor by spending like the rich yet not Investing like the rich.

This is brilliant! I love it, and I want to remember it. I also need to share it with my 24 year old son.

Your advice is golden your manner of speaking is not cluttered with advertisements or such. Can you please address for us the feeling of, "losing money" when we give something away (we no longer need yet) has monetary value to it.

WOW!!! Love the concept , loking forward to apply it in all arenas .... Thanks a lot 💚💚💚

This just zapped into my time line. Great video Joshua! 😃

Amazing! The power of subtraction never struck my mind so strongly. Thank you for sharing the reasearch information.

This video is just wow! Valuable advice this!! Great job Joshua

This was great to hear. I think societal peer pressure pushes us to always be comparing our lives to others, which in turn leads to the "additions" constantly. It's eye opening to look at subtraction as a way to find the peace and gratitude in your life, which is what you are really seeking when you constantly need to add things to your life.

Wonderful video....very true and inspiring...thank you for such amazing insight!

Great video! Amazing and life changing advice(if implemented)! Thank you!

Wow, it's really eye-opening. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Joshua. Always great advice!!

I really needed to hear this today. This really woke me up. Thank you for making a difference in the world. I've seen most of your videos and this is one of the best. I will surely watch this over and over again.

Insightful contents that can only be found in your channel. Thank you!

Very good and useful message. 🙏🏼. Thank you Joshua.

Great video. Thanks for your wonderful, thought provoking content.

Good one!... thanks for your Insight.

Ahh, very insightful and helpful information. Thank you.

Great video. #8 is a great argument for full rest on Sabbath.

So true re goals, social expectations and words I like the saying less talking more listening The best thing I learned from this clip was the term and concept subtractive transformation I love learning something new You did well to keep this one under ten minutes well done Another good clip 😀

This is brilliant as always 🌟many thanks Joshua 🌟

Thank you Josh.

I think this is my favorite video of yours. Wow! I love your channel. Thank you for your content.

Cheers, I actually wrote out this ridiculous goal list, I think I will substract it, and will work on one thing at a time.

So good I listened twice.

Wise words, food for thought... thank you

Very sage advice - thank you

So many wise words. Thank you.

This is super wise. Thank you. You are very inspiring 👌

Thank you Joshua, this was very timely

Great insight ! Never thought of it this way. That Lego example is on point .Much respect from India 🇮🇳.

Love this. Thanks Joshua!

Spot on 🙌🏼 thank you!

thanks for this video full of wisdom king regards from France

Great video Josh! Thank You

I needed to hear this. Hopefully, I can apply these principles. The clutter makes me feel overwhelmed at times, yet I continue to buy items that I don’t even remember I’ve purchased. 🤷🏼‍♀️ The joy of ‘the find’ is always short lived. I admire the simplicity of a minimalist lifestyle. Just so far from making this my reality.

I love the concept there are many diets out there. Yet, just remove unhealthy as simple as that 😊 thank you soo much for all your videos i love them all. God bless. Shehnaz Ahmad. Tour Guide Johannesburg South Africa 🇿🇦

Very nice approach towards creating a more simpler life.

A great reminder! Thank you!!

Absolutely spot on, thank you