Customer Reviews

Organizing For Dummies

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book as a sort of gag for a friend who keeps claiming that he wants to get organized. On the way home I started flipping through it and ended up keeping it for myself. It came along just in the nick of time for my move to a new home. All my life I have been a clutter queen; now I can actually part with things I don't need and showcase the things I really like. My home and work environments are much more functional and enjoyable places to be. It's been several months since I picked the book up and I'm impressed by how much it helped me develop the skills to stick to my promise to get my act together!

My family raised me in an insanely messy environment. My father is likely one of the worst packrats alive, and my mother continuously hides her junk in countless bags. A few years ago I realized my own extreme clutter was a reflection of the disarray in my mind and, cyclically, reason for even further confusion. Perhaps this book isn't for those who already know where cleaning supplies are kept and how planners are used efficiently. But I highly recommend this book if you've not been blessed enough to have learned the aforementioned time-management skills other college students know as truisms (there is SOME reasoning behind the "for Dummies" title!). For beginners, this book will lead you section by section to a home as well as a life that finally has everything in place!

This book changed the way I organize my things to such an extent. Now I come home to an orderly apartment (which is important when you live in a place the size of a postage stamp.) If you want to get organized and feel better about your surroundings, this is the place to start.

I found this book wonderfully rewarding to read through, anywhere at anytime. I brought it with me when I traveled and I learned several great ideas: my favorite is "group like with like". That single idea cracked my shell and has helped me organize my entire pack-rat house, as well as my parent's basement. Every room in the house is detailed, and the mnemonics (memory devices) are useful as well, such as P-L-A-C-E (Purge, Like with Like, Access, Contain, Evaluate). Very well written, and organized! The time management section were very useful as well, such as travelling tips. The "Part of Tens" section at the end was very interesting as well, but I won't give away any secrets!

The principles of organization are very well presented here. Not too many anecdotes, but enough to get the point across. Also, this book lists the basic principles of home organization in an easy-to-read and easy-to-reference manner. A very practical how-to book!

I used this book when I was trying to get my new house organized. It had helpful ideas for each room in the house. It was a long book...but was easy to read. You can also jump from chapter to chapter depending upon your current needs.

This is a pretty large book, so I can't say I read it 100% yet. I have read the several intro chapters as well as the summary chapters and the time/life management chapters. I also read through specific chapters about organizing a few areas at home. I made a few photocopies of both sides of the 'summary card' in the front for quick reference.

I really like the book's clear layout, 'highlight/target' points, and helpful summaries. It seems like you can always organize things better, but yet you don't want to blow tons of time and you want your system to be flexible and USEFUL rather than just looking great. :)

This book has a lot of good information, some humor, and good insights too. It is entertaining, motivating, and informative. It also helps to get junk out of your house that you don't or can't use anymore! I am making improvement in that area now. Overall, I'm a satisfied reader.

I agree with an earlier review of this book. Nothing new here! Although the layout of this "Dummies" book, follows in the basic outline of all in this series, that is about the extent of the helpful content. It is obvious that the author is organized - as she practically refers back to her own talent in that area frequently. She must not have anyone in her life close to her that is of a different thought process. Namely - the unorganized. I don't believe that she undersands our mindset one bit.

If you want real help, keep looking!

In my early single days, living in a one room apartment, organization was never a problem: everything had its place, and cleaning turned out to be a daily affair - one room at a time. (one area at a time.) However, once married with children, the task at remaining organized can be difficult as one has other people to contend with...time has passed and living alone can be an advantage: no one else's messes to deal with and one can organize selfishly, as YOU only know where the washing powder is kept. This wonderful little book provides basics for the disorganized individual, and if the tenets are applied, may find life a little easier.

To quote a cliche, it is in the details; less "stuff", material posessions that has a tendency to accumalate until one day you discover your garage resembles the city dump!

What is necessary and what is not?

"No, I can't throw my red, fire engine hat away, it has sentimental value."

Even though it has been laying dormant under a pile of old carpet in the garage and hasn't been seen in three decades...

I've met a few "hoarders" in my time, and the "junk" just gets bigger and bigger...the owner smothering under a pile of trash.

One feels better if one's material surroundings are few and in order...organized, because it free's up the mind and suddenly life becomes a bit smoother.

This book's basic message is "keep it simple".

Clutter is a reflection of the state of one's mind and attitude to life in general. I've always believed this because 9 times out of 10, a messy person or disorganized person, more that likely, reflects in their general behaviour, their direct environment.

Organization for Dummies is a text for people who've had enough, and desire a clean, organized personal and working environment (work is another area) and know that their lives will be better, less stressed, less chaotic.
than before.

A book to consider.

I thought the whole approach very common sense ... though my reason for reading it might make one wonder if I had any common sense ... at least now things are organized. If you need (or even just think you need) some help getting organized, I would heartily reccomend it.