Conquering Chaos at Work: Strategies for Managing Disorganization and the People Who Cause It [Paperback]

Harriet Schechter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0684863146 | ISBN-13: 978-0684863146 | Publication Date: January 11, 2000 | Edition: Original

Are you a Mess Maven suffering from Paperosis Misplacea? Do you work with a Deadline Deadbeat or have Phone-o-phobic clients? Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overloaded?

For anyone struggling with too many projects, too little time, and too much paper, organizing guru Harriet Schechter -- aka The Miracle Worker -- offers innovative methods for conquering the five types of workplace chaos: Time, Memory, Communication, Information, and Projects. And she shows you how to handle the real Chaos Creators:

* Bosses who expect you to cover for them

* Coworkers who leave messes for you to clean up

* Assistants who are even more overwhelmed than you are

* Clients who won't return your phone calls

No matter who or what is creating the chaos that drives you crazy, Conquering Chaos at Work has the practical, easy-to-adopt solutions you need to overcome disorganization now...and forever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ken Blanchard coauthor of The One Minute Manager ...offers real life solutions that will help you keep up with the pace of today's fast moving world of business, without going crazy in the process.

Lillian Vernon founder and CEO of Lillian Vernon Catalogs This is a must read for busy people on the fast track.

Dr. James B. Maas author of New York Times bestseller Powersleep Disorganization causes daytime stress and nocturnal insomnia. Conquering Chaos at Work is a step-by-step, easy-to-follow program that will certainly give you more productive days and restful nights.

Paul G. Stoltz, Ph.D. president and CEO of Peak Learning, Inc., and author of Adversity Quotient This book fundamentally redefines the nature of work and productivity for the 21st century. At a time when people are facing unprecedented adversity, Conquering Chaos at Work gives us a vocabulary, mind-set, and method for climbing each and every day. Put all the old time-management manuals to rest. This book redefines the genre.

About the Author

Harriet Schechter (pictured on the cover wearing her Deadline Detector) is considered a pioneer in the field of professional organizing and has helped thousands of people and companies conquer chaos since 1986 through her company, The Miracle Worker Organizing Service. She lives in San Diego, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (January 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684863146
• ISBN-13: 978-0684863146
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, April 25, 2000

By 

Deborah Hanley (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conquering Chaos at Work: Strategies for Managing Disorganization and the People Who Cause It (Paperback)

Harriet Schechter's Conquering Chaos at Work is fun to read and very comprehensive. It covers different types of chaos creators and provides methods to deal effectively with these habits, whether they exist in ourselves or other people. In describing the way that people can contribute to unnecessary disorganization, the book does more than describe general behavior and various tips to overcome these tendencies - she gives interesting case histories as well. This is part of what makes it fun to read! It has just the right balance of substance and light-heartedness. I highly recommend it as an easy read that is well worth referring to again and again.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Business Book At The Beach?, March 23, 2000

By 

Lee Silber (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conquering Chaos at Work: Strategies for Managing Disorganization and the People Who Cause It (Paperback)

I took this book with me on vacation and said to myself, "I will just skim through it." After the first few pages I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. I think the reason I found it so compelling is that as the author is describing the different types of chaos creators I kept saying to myself, "Oh my God, she's talking about so and so." I was able to gain a lot of insight into the people I deal with and why they do the things they do. But the best part is she explains how to deal with them. I can't believe I read a business book cover to cover while sitting on the beach. (That in itself is the highest praise I could offer.) But it didn't feel like I was reading the typical dry and boring business book. As I already said it was relevant. It was also humorous and entertaining as well as practical and insightful. This is maybe the best business book I have ever read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Million dollar advice for a small business, March 4, 2000

By 

Henry DeVries (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conquering Chaos at Work: Strategies for Managing Disorganization and the People Who Cause It (Paperback)

This book is perfect for any size business, but especially useful for a small or start-up business trying to better organize what it does. We followed her advice step by step and transformed a file system that resembled "The Bermuda Triangle" into a well thought-out valuable asset. The book is well organized (naturally) and a fun read.