Project: Organization Paperback August 17, 2007

by Marie Calder Ricks

Professional organizer Marie Ricks comes to the rescue of every "home manager" with 52 projects to conquer clutter and create a house of order. This practical guide breaks down your biggest problem areas into achievable, bite-size projects that take no more than 20 to 50 minutes to complete. Learn how to create a home office without adding another room to your house, tackle problem pantries, store seasonal clothing, organize your family photos, and set up the laundry room to handle laundry more efficiently. Being well organized creates peace of mind and leaves more time for the things your really want to do. Organization makes it easy with projects that will help you take control of your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

Unknown Binding

First published August 17, 2007

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

covers too many things not associated with organizing your home. not enough time explaining actual organization. weird. also, assumes that you are a 100% stay at home mom with 4+ children. also strange. I liked one section in this book, the introduction. lol.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, I did like this book. I am the Queen o' Clutter and I'm working on getting more organized. The chapters were very short (2-3 pages max) and the ideas were useful for someone like me. If you're already organized, well, then this wouldn't be the right book for you. I update my review after we move to see if it works (not going to start this in the middle of a move!).
My favorite organizational ideas from this book:
Wear a deep pocket apron (what an excuse to make a cute new one!) and do a walk through of the house each morning collecting trash for one pocket and miscellaneous items for the other. When you're done, empty your pockets.
The other was her idea for organizing major events for each season.
Read it and find out!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I am currently in a disorganized rut, I felt I needed something like this. This book was a good place to start; it's definitely for beginners. The chapters are short and give a good overview what should be done to organize each area. She covers specific cupboards, like the pantry, to organizing for holidays and meal planning. I would have liked more detail. Some ideas I liked and have/will start implementing are: Large 3-ring binders with tabs dividing each year/grade to organize papers to keep from school and having toys "go on vacation" - separating toys into separate bins and labeling them with a different vacation destination, then only keep one bin out at a time so there is less mess to keep clean and kids enjoy toys more since they don't have them all the time.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feeling on this book. There were some "gems" in this book. Great little tips which made me think "Wow, what a great idea - I'm going to do that". Then the next page would be something I would roll my eyes at thinking "yeah right". Take for example her garage chapter -my car should have 3 feet of space on each side and 1 foot in front and 2 feet behind it. Have you seen my garage? Do you know I drive a Suburban? Great idea but that's IMPOSSIBLE! Some ideas were just impractical or way more work than they were worth.
So worth reading but just to gleen those nuggets that applied to my situation.

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for organization books and this one grabbed me with it's pretty cover photos and the words "quick and easy" in the title. Unfortunately, I was quickly laughing at her absurd ideas and easily deciding not to finish the book.
The author may have a few hidden gems in this one, but I wasn't willing to read past her condescending tones and her apparent abhorrence to grocery stores. Most of her ideas stem from ways to eliminate trips to the store- not my problem.
One hilarity I discovered- her bright idea for standardizing wedding gifts? Oh, SPOILER ALERT! Give a garden hose. That's right! Don't you wish she was on your guest list?

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Marie Ricks. We're sort of kindred spirits. This is a good book, but I already do most of the things she suggested. I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels their life is not in order. Even if you are very organized already, there are good tips, and the book is easy and quick to read because it's so well organized! I especially liked the sections at the end about simplifying Chrismas and other holidays and serving in a time of sorrow. I am going to go back through and quickly jot down things I learned (which I should have done as I read--guess I'm not as organized as I proclaim to be!).

[Hilary Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was full of ideas for organizing various areas of life - house, kids stuff, time, etc. Each idea was presented in 2-4 pages. I liked how it was presented because I could skim or skip areas that didn't apply to me or that I wasn't interested in. I was amazed at how many of the things I already do - my house should be seemingly perfect! :) I think what this book is best for is just getting your brain going with ideas. Several things she suggested gave me similar ideas of things that would really help me out. So quick and easy to read through.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great organization book for people like me that want to be better organized and don't know where to start. Each organizational tip is meant to be worked on for a day, a few days or a week. It's 52 chapters of tips, so it's meant to be a year long project focusing on everything from kitchens to offices, garages and even school papers, mail and holidays. I loved reading this and will buy it and work on it weekly.

[Michelle Guffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is that you can do little organizational projects- each chapter is one- that take 15-45 minutes. I thought that some of them were great projects, but others were really large ideas that didn't fit the premise though they were great ideas. My favorite and most useful project was the Launching and Landing area to help getting in and out of the house for errands and trips more efficiently. I own this book if you want to borrow it.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really find anything useful for myself in this book, as I am already a neat freak and very organized. But it was an easy read and had very good ideas. I was glad to know that I am already doing most of the things she suggests to make your home and life organized and stress free. I really recommend this book to those of you who need help in thses areas.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I've started reading so many organizing books that end up being too unrealistic(space-wise or finacially...), or too lame and boring that I never finish them or get anything out of them. But before I realized it I had read this book cover to cover and written down a million ideas I could try without buying a thing.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful. We just moved into our first home and it has helped me every step of the way. I read it cover to cover and now use it as a reference book as I set up each of our rooms. I am an overly organized person to begin with, but I learned so many little things that will help me throughout my life. I recommend it to everyone running a home!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book to organize your house and home. It was full of good and practical tips to getting and staying organized-- from household chores to holiday management.

My favorite quote was: Life is not about owning-- it is about loving. It is not about keeping-- it is about giving.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been reading this one on and off for a few months. It has some great practical ideas. I like the Ultimate Career better. If you are looking for straight up ideas for organization this would be good.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good, easy-to-do plan. She didn't have much that I didn't already know, but just had some good ways to implement her ideas of organization...now if I could just remember where I put my book...just kidding! It's back at the library. :)

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some good tips, also somethings I felt were a little impractical, at least at my stage of the game. (three small children) I did glean some good and a have implemented a few changes. Everything counts right?

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my life. I have free moments in the day. My house is in order. And, I never have laundary to finish. Even my three year old is more organized and is working on "pick it up -don't pass it by".

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too many new tricks in this book, but I did learn a couple of things. It was nice to know that most of the items she covered I've already been doing.
If you are new at getting organized you would love this. Very fast reading and lots of tips.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I keep skimming this one. Not as good as "It's here...somewhere". Marie is better to hear in person and then use her handbook for worksheets. I don't know what this book is supposed to be. It just gives you brief overview's and not enough details for me.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, quick read with lots of ideas for different "projects" (hence the name) that you can do to get organizing. Not a lot of new ideas for me (but then I've been to several of Marie Rick's classes) but there were some and it motivated me to get my own life more organized.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book about a year, but didn't implement too many of the ideas, so I'm reading it again as a refresher and wish I'd started sooner and saved myself a few headaches. Marie Ricks has some great ideas to save you a lot of time and frustration - I highly recommend her books and classes.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Very easy read. A lot of the ideas shared in this book are VERY basic ideas that I already use or have my own "updated" version of. But I did learn and implement a few of her ideas.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Ricks is incredible!
A very good book on getting organized!
Good ideas, easy read.
You can also be added to her e-mail list- houseoforder.com and she will e-mail you weekly tips to staying organized and managing time, etc. . .
I love to get those!

[Taralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way the book is organized. Short and simple to help the readers "simply" get their lives in better order. Very useful as a regular reference for me:). I LOVE this book and would recommend it to everyone!

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very quick read. It is broken down in 52 projects, 20-50 minutes a week. I love Marie C. Ricks website www.houseoforder.com she gives good grocery shopping tips and lists. The book has some great ideas on how to pickup/clean quick and enjoy life.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas. Nothing earth-shattering. Had a couple good ideas for getting kids to help. Some stuff seemed a little over the top for me. I had this book in the car for reading while I was waiting at baseball/piano/etc. Worth reading in spare moments.

[MeLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very helpful for me. She had a lot of good ideas for general organization and lots of good tips for moms with young children. I have started implementing several of the suggestions in her book and so far even the kids like the things we're doing.

[Tiffany Whitelatch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad organize book, it really did cover a lot of ground. I just feel it was a bit general in its advice. I didn't feel like I learned anything new from it. It's really good for beginners that need something to look to, to start their organizing journey.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of great and practical tips for organizing. Includes various charts. Quick read. Some things are more applicable for various stages of life - take what you think might work for you. If it doesn't work - try a different method.

[Cherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is okay. Did not motivate me much, though!