Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organizing Your Life

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was really excited to get this book, hoping it would get me more organized, especially as far as keeping my house tidy and organized. However, aside from a few exercises that helped me prioritize my needs, I was quickly disappointed as there is really nothing in this book I didn't already know.

For instance, as for keeping house, who doesn't know that dishes need to be done after every meal? Or that vacuuming should be done twice a week? I needed and hoped for a book that would help me find a way out of my rut that gets me past KNOWING what I need to do into DOING it. For that, I highly recommend either *Sink Reflections* by Marla Cilley, or *Conquering Chronic Disorganization*, by Judith Kolberg.

One big problem with this book is that it only offers one way to battle disorganization. If you are Chronically Disorganized like me, you've already tried that way and it's a bad fit. That's why it doesn't work in the first place.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organizing Your Life is too basic and assumes that once you know what you're supposed to do, everything will magically fall into place. That may be true for some, but for chronically disorganized people, I feel this book is truly lacking.

Of the three organizing guides I own - this is my favorite. I am very organized but I found this book inspirational. It touches on the basics for getting organized and would really be helpful for those who need to pick up basic skills. The thing I enjoyed most about this book was that it didn't dwell on complex systems (if you're trying to get organized, the last thing you need). I also like the reference section. If you buy one organizing book then get this one - a good valuable tool for the money. Read and get organized! Lockwood should promote on Oprah - this is the best book - beats "Organizing from the Inside Out" and far surpasses the Beverly Hills organizing book.

If you have one million things to do in a short period of time and feel there is no way you could possible do everything this is the book for your. It will guide you all the way showing you ways to organize your time so that you can complete all one million tasks in an orderly non stressfull fashion.

This book changed my life. By following the steps in this book I have greatly improved the quality of my life. Simple, practical, entertaining -- the best book on organization I have seen.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject. Generally people who are disorganized need books that are very neatly planned out and state simply what needs to be done. The Idiot's Guide to Organizing your Life, has saved me years of fuddle. Not only was it helpful in basically every aspect of my life, from budgeting money, taking care of a household, and whether or not to purchase a pet, but it was enjoyable to read and made me laugh. I reccomend this book to anyone who is a little behind in getting on track with their lives.

I cannot recommend another book as highly as this one. Although it sounds rather silly to say that a Complete Idiot's Guide can change one's life, I must say that this one does.

Excellent..... this book puts all those little things you know into perspective.... it's really helped me pull things together in my life at home, work, and school... every working college student should read this.

Let me first say briefly that I don't care for the "Complete Idiot's ...." series name. It's one thing to be called a "Dummy" by another popular series, but a "complete idiot" is taking it a step too far, at least for me. So why did I pick up the book and read it? Well, frankly, most of the other titles available looked a bit too dry, and this was cheap.

In spite of my prejudices against the book, the first four chapters really impressed me, particularly the foundational discussions that analyze what role "stuff" plays in our lives and why we become bound to "stuff." This section of the book cut pretty deeply. As a matter of fact, I should go back and reread it every year or so.

The middle sections of the book dealing with actual organizational techniques, were in my opinion good but only average. I read a couple other organizational books at the same time as this book, as well as many web sites, and found that there is a lot of common wisdom about organization that is expressed in different words, but is more or less equal. However, if you really need this book, then it's likely that you need a plan to be laid out for you, even if it is only common sense. After all, not all recipes are amazingly creative, but we still need to follow a recipe!

Toward the end, the book includes chapters on organizing your taxes, your finances, your pet supplies, your vactions, etc. This is where I more or less lost interest. It's also the primary reason this is a four star (maybe three and a half) rather than a five star review. I've no doubt that these chapters may help some readers. However, if you just want to organize your "stuff," then you may be left wishing for more advice on organizing general THINGS and less advice on organizing specific items such as vacations and taxes.

one of the best books oon organisation I have read ( I found it in the italian translation) Thank you, Ms Lockwood!