Customer Reviews

Master Your Workday Now!: Proven Strategies to Control Chaos, Create Outcomes, & Connect Your Work to Who You Really Are

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I daresay this is the best book on workflow management I've ever read -- and I've read a LOT of books on that subject. I predict that this book is going to be a huge hit and a long-term classic in its field.

I'm seldom impressed by time management books these days since I've read so many of them, but I must say that Michael's Workday Now system impressed the heck out of me.

I've been gradually implementing changes to my own processes based on Michael's ideas, which are so intuitively and logically sensible that I can easily see they're going to make my workflow management significantly more effective.

It's hard not to compare Workday Now (WN) to David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD), which has been an extremely popular time management book, especially in the blogosphere. GTD deserves its position as a classic in the field, but in my opinion WN presents a superior overall system. I loved GTD when it first came out, but I had to make numerous tweaks to the system to make it more practical for me, and there were certain elements of the system that bugged me, like the tediousness of the weekly review, the potential for truly massive Next Action and Someday/Maybe lists, and the questionable Waiting For list.

The WN system is in many ways similar to GTD. Both of them start with a bottom-up approach to time management, encouraging you to first take control over the out-of-control elements of your work in order to reduce stress and restore a sense of order to your life. Both involve creating and organizing task lists and identifying next actions. Both stress the importance of processing your email inbox to empty and not using it as a surrogate to-do list. Both systems are complete in the sense that you can trust them not to leave loose ends if you work them as the authors propose.

What's different about WN, however, is that it focuses your attention on a specific time horizon, looking approximately 10 days into the future. This is called the Workday Now Horizon. Michael suggests that somewhere in the 1-2 week range is the natural time horizon people use when thinking about their upcoming to-do items. Beyond the 2-week range, most of us think of our to-dos as being somewhere "over the horizon" and not of immediate concern. We don't need to deal with them until they become more urgent.

This Workday Now time period is further subdivided into the Critical Now (tasks which are truly urgent and MUST be completed today) and the Opportunity Now zone (tasks which are pending within the next 1-2 weeks but which don't absolutely have to be done today. All other tasks and projects are placed on an Over the Horizon list.

The Opportunity Now zone is limited to 20 tasks maximum. It's an evolving list that you'll update each day. Once you complete your Critical Now tasks for the day, you set to work on your Opportunity Now tasks as time permits. The nice thing about your Opportunity Now list is that since it's fairly short, it keeps your attention focused on what needs to be done soon. You aren't distracted by tasks and projects that are weeks into the future; this was a problem with GTD's Projects and Next Actions lists, which could grow massive in size for busy people.

If you end up with more than 20 items on your Opportunity Now list, you have to push some of them onto your Over the Horizon list. This disciplines you to consider only on what can be accomplished within the next week or two when planning your current workday. Then at the end of each week, you can review your Over the Horizon list and pull some items onto the Opportunity Now list.

I really like this method of managing tasks because it offers an elegant way of balancing urgency and importance. Urgent tasks are a business reality. They must be dealt with in a timely manner. In the WN system, the truly urgent tasks are given top priority, and less urgent but still important tasks are given the next priority. By managing urgent tasks effectively and not allowing them to overwhelm you, the WN system helps you get control of your workflow, thereby freeing up time for important but less urgent tasks. This is a very practical approach because it doesn't compel you to over-organize long-term tasks and projects that you may never get to. In fact, WN assumes that you probably have more to-dos on your plate than you can reasonably complete. WN helps you take control of the urgent with a simple yet effective approach, so you soon become less urgency-driven.

WN fills in a lot of holes and solves many of the weaknesses of GTD. I would say that overall, WN can be more complex than GTD if you implement every element of each system, but I think WN will be much less burdensome to manage. WN's complexity is presented in layers of different options. The core WN system can be managed with nothing but a pen, two pieces of paper, and only minutes per day. I'd say that you can begin putting WN into action and getting results with it in less than an hour after you learn it. The basic GTD system takes a lot more work to implement because you must do so much pre-processing up front, typically on the order of 2-3 days' worth. As you get comfortable with the basics of WN, you can then begin adding more layers of refinement to suit your particular situation.

If you're already familiar with a system like GTD or if you use some other planning or workflow management system, then you're way ahead of the game; you'll likely find the extra subtleties in WN to be particularly useful; their practicality should be readily apparent.

What I described above is really just the first third of the book. The second third explains how to integrate higher-level goals into your life, including how to activate them with emotion. The final third explores how to connect your workflow to a greater sense of life purpose or mission. These sections are well-written too, but since these topics overlap my own work so much, I didn't personally get as much out of them. However, I agree wholeheartedly with the strategies Michael presents in these sections. I especially like his idea of setting goals that balance vision (the passionate image of an outcome) and targets (the specific deliverables to be achieved).

My only real criticism of the book is that I felt that the second and third sections could be better integrated with the low-level workflow management system in the first section. The lack of top-to-bottom integration was a major weakness in GTD, and while WN goes much further in achieving such integration, I still felt it stopped short of the completely integrated top-to-bottom package I was hoping for. Nevertheless, it gets pretty darned close to that ideal, closer than any other book I've read to date.

I give Master Your Workday Now! a huge thumbs up, and I highly recommend it if you're at all interested in improving your personal effectiveness, getting your e-mail under control, and aligning your actions with your life's purpose. This is not a book to be read in a single sitting and tossed aside. This is a book you'll want to keep as a reference, so you can refer to it again and again. I expect you'll gain powerful and practical insights you can apply from nearly every chapter.

Linenberger's new book has an excellent mix of practical daily tips for staying ahead of the deluge at work, but also very powerful insights into why work slips out-of-control so easily, and how to prevent that. Book has the best write up on Goals I've ever seen.

I have been successfully using Mr. Linenberger's systems for quite some time now. I started back 1n 2006 with "Total Workday Control". in 2008 I started working his 2nd edition of "Total Workday Control" with Outlook 2007. This is when I first started working the "Master Your Now" methodology discussed in his current volume. He introduced the MYN system in the 2nd edition of his Outlook book and has expanded on the processes in "Master Your WORKDAY NOW!"

In this current book he has moved the system to paper for a faster implementation. This book is divided into three main sections that correspond with his Workday Mastery Pyramid. The MYN and Workday Mastery Pyramid are graphically represented to resonate upon first reading. My personal Outlook implementations from the first two books have worked great and been a huge success for myself and other teammates who have also implemented these systems.

Mr. Linenberger's teaching style as presented in this book, like his others, is through and patient. He provides many examples and offers up some great companion worksheets on his website as well as a Quick-Start Guide. I downloaded and printed all the worksheets to use while reading the book. These forms are very handy while reading so you will want to download and print a set before you start chapter 2 and then again in Chapter 5 when you really get started. The companion website has lots of stuff so check it out early in the reading process.

This book is no fast read. You will want to spend time working with each section. It reads like a conversation between an expert and his charge. I spent the most time in section two "Create" since I was familiar with the MYN system. I would even recommend starting with chapters 9-13 if goal-setting is high on your list. If one of your goals is to become more efficient and effective in the management of your personal productivity, start with chapter's 9-13 to articulate and activate that goal. Then go back and start the Control process beginning with chapter 1 to help you realize that goal.

In summary, everything presented in this book works. It takes some time and thought to implement, but works great when used daily over time. Give it a couple of months, stay in the process, and you will see improvements daily. I have been working the Now Goals process for about three weeks. It really does change your thinking process about the achievement of personal goals. It inspires confidence. Even if you are familiar with the MYN system and methodology, the processes presented in this book will enhance your understanding. Mr Linenberger will be releasing a paper planner for this system and I will probably move to a manual implementation when that becomes available. It just makes sense to have your daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annual, annual, Now Goals, and personal vision and mission all in one planner to facilitate the processes outlined in the book.

I've never succeeded well with to-do lists at work. They always get too big, with everything being marked "Important," so I usually end up going back to doing whatever seems really urgent at the time. I'm so relieved to have finally found a book that can show me how to create a to-do list that really works.

Linenberger's techniques are amazingly simple--the best solutions always are!--but very powerful. My tension level has dropped significantly since putting them to use. Also, the book gets you started in just a few pages--the very first lessons will help you clear your deck. Get the book. You'll be glad you did."

As an organizing freak, I'm probably way ahead of most when it comes to organizing time, space and information. Yet this book helped take me to new levels of organizing power. Michael LInenberger's formulas for prioritizing tasks and handling email are brilliant. I used to have more than 100 emails in my Inbox at any given time; now I typically have fewer than 20. And of 50 directions I could go in and 100 tasks demanding my attention on any given day, I am able to clearly see what needs to be done today, tomorrow, next week and down the road.

The result is nothing short of spectacular! I am now facing life's demands with less stress and zero overwhelm. What a gift! Michael Linenberger's clear style of writing and cutting-edge thinking have made a huge impact on my life.

I'm about two thirds of the way through the book. I may update this review when I finish. I'm writing this as someone who's used David Allen's Getting Things Done System for about eight years. The GTD system is in the background for me, now. I barely think about it, and I just use it. That said, while I'm basically an efficiency blackbelt, and I'm selling new ideas to my boss and pretty much running my own show at work, I've been having trouble getting my big personal goals off the ground. I've been unable to fuse long term vision with in-the-trenches action, for the things that *really* matter to me. So, I picked up this book on Steve Pavlina's recommendation.

And now I feel compelled to write this review, having not even finished the book yet. This book is very, very smart. It's phenomenologically aware, as in, it's closer to how my brain works than the GTD system. I've basically been doing what's in this book, having modified GTD to actually work for me. But now I have a way to employ an operational system in pursuit of my truly long-term goals--GTD isn't nearly as nuanced and complete about everything above the runway.

In the book, there's an exploration of how to craft goals using a two-part vision/target goal definition. There's also an extended exploration of how to mold and shape a goal until it truly feels possible and personal. The author suggests many possible techniques, such as NLP and EFT. To this list I would add Eugene Gendlin's Focusing technique (search on here for a book called "Focusing" or click here: Focusing). I plan to use Focusing in combination with this book. I think the two-part goal definition, especially the emphasis on having a nuanced vision that I've gently worked with until it feels 100% right, has been the missing piece for me

In any case, I'm really, really excited. I think this book is exactly what I've been needing. At first I was a little concerned--The author is conversant with things like the "Law of Attraction" and other new agey stuff. But he takes a neutral stance, doesn't push any of it, and offers alternative worldviews and explanations for why his system works. The bottom line is that the author understands the psychology and phenomenology of creating and getting stuff done, and I highly recommend this book.

Michael Linenberger's "Master Your Workday Now! Proven Strategies to Control Chaos, Create Outcomes & Connect Your Work to Who You Really Are" is a good addition to anyone's productivity resource library. The book provides solutions and strategies to not only take control of your daily work activities, but also to determine just what those activities should be to live YOUR most fulfilling life.

The book is divided into three main parts: Controlling Your Workday Now, Creating Your Workday Now, and Connecting Your Workday Now. Linenberger does a very good job of connecting these parts and illustrating why each part, though different, is very important to the whole. He also provides an introduction that describes his three layers of success (Control, Create, Connect) and offers a short strategy for using the book.

The first part, Controlling Your Workday Now, is for everyone who feels too busy and is on the brink of losing control of their workday. In this part, Linenberger provides strategies to control your work before it controls you. A large part of this strategy involves Linenberger's method of creating "to do" lists. It's not the same old "to do" list you may be familiar with. He does provide an interesting twist, and explains why his method is more productive. It involves a Now Tasks List, Opportunity Now list, and for projects that are not right now, an Over the Horizon list. Again, he explains why these list are effective and offers good guidance on their use. He also breaks them down to become even more productive. I definitely learned some things to incorporate into my own daily scheduling and will use some of these ideas. (My personal system is a mix of a number of systems that I've personalized) There is also a chapter on e-mail mastery, an area I'm sure many people can use, and I know I'm going to try his ideas out because e-mail is one area I get very behind with.

Part two focuses on Creating Your Workday Now. Essentially this part of the book is about goal setting. Many people have written on goal setting, but I do think this book has some good ideas and suggestions to help people in this area. If you are new to goal setting, you'll learn a lot. If you already set goals and have read other books on the topic, you'll still probably pick up and idea or two that will help you be even more effective. I liked this part of the book, even if some of it only reinforced what I was already doing.

Part Three, Connecting Your Workday Now, was a motivating chapter on vision, purpose, and connecting with yourself and your life's work. If you have never written a personal mission statement, this book will assist with doing so. If you have, maybe this part of the book will inspire you to review yours and make sure you are working toward that higher purpose. There's also a very good recommended resources section in the back.

Over all, I really did like this book. I've read so many similar books that it wasn't all new to me, but I still believe Linenberger did a great job of putting this information together and that if people read the book and then apply the strategies and suggestions provided, they will undoubtedly be more productive and have better control of not only their workday, but their life. If you want to control your life, be more productive, and live with a greater purpose, "Master Your Workday Now" will help you get there.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks.

This book gives what for me has been the most useful to-do list format and methodology that I have come across. It is actually useable, by even someone as undisciplined as me. And the later sections on goals are explained really well, and give you a way to look at the writing and reviewing of goals as a lifelong process, one that is fun and useful.

Normally, I do not like business books at all, even though I am a small business owner. However, after perusing this book by Michael Linenberger, I am nothing short of amazed. Not only does he give us many practical skills as to how to be more efficient, have more fun, and to prioritize one's daily work tasks, but he also reaches the heights of spirituality by delving into visions, goals, and the use of refined intuition to get one's life (and business) in order.

For example, Michael talks about the 3 C's - Control, Create and Connect. By connecting he means to connect your work with who you really are. This is what has taken me over 4 decades to discover for myself through trial and error. If you don't love your work - CHANGE JOBS!

Also included in this pithy volume are sections on mastering email, managing tasks (at many different levels), and - my personal favorite - Connecting to Your Personal Mission. In short, this is a truly profound tome that will benefit all of us, whether we are workers, managers, or business owners. If you want to change your life in the direction of your profoundest Dharma (life purpose), read this book.

I am reading Michael Linenberger book Master your WorkDay now after Steve Pavlina suggested it on his website.

I am so surprised. I was using GTD before this and now I am doing a revolution on my way to organize tasks and goals.

It makes everything so simple and the best thing is that well, it gets things DONE and there is no more stress and important/urgent things are always completed