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Get Everything Done (And Still Have Time to Play) by Mark Forster
Time is what our lives are made of. Failure to use it properly is disastrous. Yet most books on time management don't work because they take little account of human psychology or the unexpected. This book, written for everyone who has to juggle different demands in a busy schedule, includes lots of help and advice in finding a system that works effectively and leads to more enjoyment of work and leisure. 'I left Mark Forster's time management workshop a changed woman. Yesterday I used his system for a whole day. It was stress-free and fun. I felt energised and satisfied at the end of it.' Sarah Litvinoff
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First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Mark Forster
23 books37 followersMark Forster is full-time life coach. He frequently runs workshops and seminars specialising in time management.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 26, 2012
So, I should admit: self-help books are a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm sure there's many psychological explanations for this attraction, but for now let's just say that I enjoy them, and in particular the sub-genre of time-management self-help. I'm pretty craptastic at managing my time and motivating myself, and reading books like this is probably my way of feeling like I'm making progress whilst actually just putting off dealing with the problem.
All that being said, what did I think of this one?
Mark Forster's writing style was nice, not too patronising nor too pushy. The book laid out some concepts that I believe to be key to time-management (or "life-management"), such as saying no to extra commitments, in an approachable way. The 'fairytale' interludes were a nice touch, and I also liked seeing the examples of how Forster manages his own days in the diary section.
What lets this book down is that it doesn't really do what it says on the cover. Forster specifically states that his book is applicable to anyone, yet it is very much skewed towards business folks. Not only that, but it seems geared especially towards management types, or people running their own businesses, with lots of talk about "projects" and "forward thinking" and so on. There are whole chunks of the book that I felt didn't apply to me. The other aspect I felt let down by was that the subtitle of "and still have time to play" never seemed to be fully addressed. Forster seems to work from the assumption that people fundamentally enjoy their work, and there isn't really much about how to get yourself to do certain tasks day after day that you actually don't take much pleasure in. I suppose there are plenty of self-help books directed at people who don't like their work, but my point is that this book is supposed to be geared towards the general masses, especially those just starting out on dealing with their time-management issues, and as such it should have taken a broader perspective.
Overall, I did pick up one or two new ideas that I'll be giving a try, so I definitely don't think this was a wasted read. The problem is that I believe the book has been marketed towards the wrong audience. Forster mentions that his experience is mainly with helping people manage their businesses, and I have the feeling that that is where his strengths really lie.
All that being said, what did I think of this one?
Mark Forster's writing style was nice, not too patronising nor too pushy. The book laid out some concepts that I believe to be key to time-management (or "life-management"), such as saying no to extra commitments, in an approachable way. The 'fairytale' interludes were a nice touch, and I also liked seeing the examples of how Forster manages his own days in the diary section.
What lets this book down is that it doesn't really do what it says on the cover. Forster specifically states that his book is applicable to anyone, yet it is very much skewed towards business folks. Not only that, but it seems geared especially towards management types, or people running their own businesses, with lots of talk about "projects" and "forward thinking" and so on. There are whole chunks of the book that I felt didn't apply to me. The other aspect I felt let down by was that the subtitle of "and still have time to play" never seemed to be fully addressed. Forster seems to work from the assumption that people fundamentally enjoy their work, and there isn't really much about how to get yourself to do certain tasks day after day that you actually don't take much pleasure in. I suppose there are plenty of self-help books directed at people who don't like their work, but my point is that this book is supposed to be geared towards the general masses, especially those just starting out on dealing with their time-management issues, and as such it should have taken a broader perspective.
Overall, I did pick up one or two new ideas that I'll be giving a try, so I definitely don't think this was a wasted read. The problem is that I believe the book has been marketed towards the wrong audience. Forster mentions that his experience is mainly with helping people manage their businesses, and I have the feeling that that is where his strengths really lie.
February 16, 2023
I am a bit of a 'time management book addict' but this is by far the best I've read. Rather than constantly fire fighting I've taken the time to put some systems in place that work and life is much calmer these days!
February 7, 2025
Nice and informative as usual. A good reread after a long time.
September 19, 2024
Fantastic, Life-Changing Productivity without Sacrificing My Soul
This book is a great collection of Mark Forster principles and strategies for getting more quality work done, while simultaneously stressing less.
It's an excellent starting point into Mark Forster's books (all of which are uniquely good). The thing I like about this book is it's fairly scattered nature. It's the exact type of book you'd love to use the index for to jump around as needed when you encounter a practical issue in your productivity system. It almost reminds me of a Tim Ferriss "4 Hour Chef"-style book, yet for productivity..!
The stories of the Prince were very impactful to me... and made me reconsider how I run my life and run my days. This is definitely a book I will have to return to again and again, as needed, as the concepts and strategies require experimentation and building of momentum over months and years.
I had already read "Do it Tomorrow" by Mark Forster, which is a great follow up to this book. I think I will try to read "Secrets of Productive People" soon as well. I'm still learning how all the Mark Forster principles tie together and what works best for me. However, I can assure you, you won't regret reading any of the 4 books in whatever order you choose.
Mark Forster books are an extremely high ROI use of your time. Reading this book could potentially save you years of your life, of either spinning your wheels or going down the wrong paths entirely. I'm finding more and more small pockets of time to "play" in a healthy way because I know I've gotten the things I need to get done that day (or what's a reasonable progression). I'd say this book and Forster's other books have done the best job out of anything I've found in terms of allowing me to feel accomplished with my days rather than always feeling behind and feeling like I'm not doing enough.
I still have numerous backlogs, and I'm excited for the day that I'm "on top" of all my backlogs.
The Attention Allocation exercise is something I will have to return to over time as well... I just glanced through my answers and I see I'm still not managing my attention as I should be !
Overall, again, I'm excited to keep exploring these concepts, as they are going to require multiple reread and implementation iterations to deeply understand their practical implications. Mark Forster fills in the gaps that GTD misses! I'm now finally finding better workflows and feeling like I'm not letting things fall through the cracks or having to unwillingly abandon projects and efforts due to the complexity becoming too much to maintain/stay on top of.
I finally feel like I have the tools to get things done. Basically, the promise of GTD is finally realized for me! Now, time for me to dial in and put my feet to fire of actually making serious progress in my life's works.
This book is a great collection of Mark Forster principles and strategies for getting more quality work done, while simultaneously stressing less.
It's an excellent starting point into Mark Forster's books (all of which are uniquely good). The thing I like about this book is it's fairly scattered nature. It's the exact type of book you'd love to use the index for to jump around as needed when you encounter a practical issue in your productivity system. It almost reminds me of a Tim Ferriss "4 Hour Chef"-style book, yet for productivity..!
The stories of the Prince were very impactful to me... and made me reconsider how I run my life and run my days. This is definitely a book I will have to return to again and again, as needed, as the concepts and strategies require experimentation and building of momentum over months and years.
I had already read "Do it Tomorrow" by Mark Forster, which is a great follow up to this book. I think I will try to read "Secrets of Productive People" soon as well. I'm still learning how all the Mark Forster principles tie together and what works best for me. However, I can assure you, you won't regret reading any of the 4 books in whatever order you choose.
Mark Forster books are an extremely high ROI use of your time. Reading this book could potentially save you years of your life, of either spinning your wheels or going down the wrong paths entirely. I'm finding more and more small pockets of time to "play" in a healthy way because I know I've gotten the things I need to get done that day (or what's a reasonable progression). I'd say this book and Forster's other books have done the best job out of anything I've found in terms of allowing me to feel accomplished with my days rather than always feeling behind and feeling like I'm not doing enough.
I still have numerous backlogs, and I'm excited for the day that I'm "on top" of all my backlogs.
The Attention Allocation exercise is something I will have to return to over time as well... I just glanced through my answers and I see I'm still not managing my attention as I should be !
Overall, again, I'm excited to keep exploring these concepts, as they are going to require multiple reread and implementation iterations to deeply understand their practical implications. Mark Forster fills in the gaps that GTD misses! I'm now finally finding better workflows and feeling like I'm not letting things fall through the cracks or having to unwillingly abandon projects and efforts due to the complexity becoming too much to maintain/stay on top of.
I finally feel like I have the tools to get things done. Basically, the promise of GTD is finally realized for me! Now, time for me to dial in and put my feet to fire of actually making serious progress in my life's works.
May 18, 2022
Whilst the book started off well, I felt it lost its way towards the end. I liked the ideas presented about overcoming procrastination and resistance, and following resistance to discover what your next action should be. I found the “not keeping a list of things to do” quite laughable. Especially when coupled with examples of the authors day, where he just seemed to magically remember he needed to post a parcel to friend, out of thin air. I didn’t find the examples given at the end of the book actually used any of the techniques defined in the book other than doing what you are resisting the most. However the first half detailing techniques I think people will get some benefit out of. I certainly did.
January 22, 2024
i enjoyed this a lot because it actually has a way of thinking never mentioned before in other productivity books.
its comparisons were right to the point!
it has a different approach and some techniques that i found helpful.
i would recommend it for sure, especially to those who are trying to find that new idea to try in order to get things done.
its comparisons were right to the point!
it has a different approach and some techniques that i found helpful.
i would recommend it for sure, especially to those who are trying to find that new idea to try in order to get things done.
August 11, 2019
Best practice to beat procacination
I like to this book explain to beat procanication.
Use method in workplace and daily life to better
Good mental method
I like to this book explain to beat procanication.
Use method in workplace and daily life to better
Good mental method
December 8, 2019
A fresh take on time management -- I mean _attention_ management. Worth a read as part of a survey of "getting things done" worldviews.
February 23, 2021
Interesting shift of emphasis on time management, a very straightforward easy read.
May 18, 2025
Un montón de conceptos interesantes y útiles sobre gestión del tiempo y de nuestra propia vida. Me quedo con unos cuantos consejos y unos cuantos trucos para hacer los días un poquito más fáciles.
November 28, 2019
Från baksidan:
Vi kan inte styra över tiden – men vi kan lära oss hur vi bör rikta vår uppmärksamhet för att få ut mesta möjliga av den.
”Åh nej!”, tänker du. ”Ännu en självhjälpsbok för att strukturera jobbet, få mera fritid och slippa stressa runt.” Japp. Precis så är det.
Och jag gillar't!
Hela recensionen på http://ottosson.cc/allt-gjort-och-tid...
Vi kan inte styra över tiden – men vi kan lära oss hur vi bör rikta vår uppmärksamhet för att få ut mesta möjliga av den.
”Åh nej!”, tänker du. ”Ännu en självhjälpsbok för att strukturera jobbet, få mera fritid och slippa stressa runt.” Japp. Precis så är det.
Och jag gillar't!
Hela recensionen på http://ottosson.cc/allt-gjort-och-tid...
April 7, 2015
Really love the different approach this author takes to getting things done. Though I really preferred (LOVED) his book "Do it Tomorrow", this one was very different and gave me more food for thought. I thought this one was a bit bizarre in parts (though I shouldn't comment until I've tried it...) but the section on focusing your efforts on what you're most resisting at any given time was intriguing to me. Makes a lot of sense - though I could never give up my To Do list!
Would have liked a bit more - felt a little incomplete to me. But overall it was something different and food for thought on a topic where the same old, same old is continually regurgitated! Love this author's unique approach!
Would have liked a bit more - felt a little incomplete to me. But overall it was something different and food for thought on a topic where the same old, same old is continually regurgitated! Love this author's unique approach!
November 22, 2011
Having spent a couple of months trying out GTD (Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity) I found the techniques in this book quite a bit more helpful. Quite possibly because I needed less of a "system" (which is what GTD got me) and more of an approach that I could apply as needed.
April 12, 2016
Refreshing perspective on time management
Mark Forster took a refreshing new approach to time management. He studied why people don't get things done and how that creates stress in their lives. He then offers a systematic way of getting things done that is very practical and actionable. Great stuff!
Mark Forster took a refreshing new approach to time management. He studied why people don't get things done and how that creates stress in their lives. He then offers a systematic way of getting things done that is very practical and actionable. Great stuff!
July 22, 2008
I found this helpful....but I'm an extreme case
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews