The Sidetracked Sisters' Happiness File

by Pam Young, Peggy Jones

Pam Young and Peggy Jones, the original SHEs, helped thousands of households turn chaos into order with their first big bestseller, Sidetracked Home Executives. In this follow-up best selling book their fun-to-use and thought-provoking ideas and exercises can soon be helping

• Solve your most pressing problems with convenient immediate action cards
• Discover peace of mind by eliminating the clutter from your life
• Use time you never knew you had with daily and monthly schedules that work
• Explore your subconscious and develop your hidden assets through exercise you’ll enjoy
• Celebrate your family’s living history with special albums and other ways to cherish the past
• Watch your happiness grow by remembering the simple things that mean so much

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Self Help

279 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1985

Reviews

[Dixie Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an old book that Flylady talks about all the time as being the inspiration for her ability to love herself and to help other people deal with the overwhelmingness of being a busy adult. I have wanted to read it for several years but never got around to it. And when I finally got it for my kindle I realized it isn't a sit down and read the way through this type book. Instead it is like a delightful box of candy. One small piece each day keeps you laughing, and hopeful, and determined to get a handle on this "taking care of your home and family" thing. There are a lot of funny anecdotes which convince you that the book was written by people who know what it is like to be weighted down with worry and clutter and self recrimination. It also convinces you that the biggest problem that you have is your negative voices and perfectionism. Read this book for an upbeat introduction to taking care of your home and yourself, or go to flylady.com and follow pam Young from facebook. Wherever you start reading her words, just read them and be happy.

[Poiema · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a throwback from the 1980s. I read it back then, enjoyed it, but never owned it. When I saw a pristine copy at a used book sale, I picked it up for old time's sake. The subject of happiness has always intrigued me. I've read Benjamin Franklin's autobiography at least twice and it is the gold standard on the subject. Have read the more current _Happiness Project_ by Gretchen Rubin and found it interesting to compare views from the three different eras. There are definite correlations; all three books suggest order, relationships, growth, and virtue as elements that are essential to happiness. There must be a means to measure progress, too. In this book, _Happiness File_, the co-authors have developed a tickler file system using 3x5 cards. Their system is enjoying a current revival, as all sorts of people---techie or not---are using index cards as a tool for personal and business organization. Google "hipster PDA" if you aren't familiar with the trend. The cards are visual, portable, cheap, and satisfying as a blank canvas. The "Slob Sisters," as they call themselves, have a rather elaborate system of household organization that is detailed in an earlier book. The _Happiness File_ takes it a step farther with journaling, dreaming, prioritizing, setting goals, etc. It's fun to read because the ladies have a GREAT sense of humor! I suspect it was funnier to me than it would be to someone in her 20s or 30s because the book is definitely dated. The principles are sound, though, and I suspect the books by Pam Young and Peggy Jones will be vintage delights some day, perhaps in the same way we enjoy Mrs. Beaton's household tips as nostalgic charm with a dash of practical value.

[Bronwyn Manzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the joys and pains of everyday life, Pam and Peggy muddle through with love, humor and honesty. I love the transparency of these two sisters as they share their not so perfect lives of disorganization, raising families and overcoming obstacles in their way. They became icons in the early 80's for those of us who are chronically sidetracked. Their first book Side Tracked Home Executives showed a whole generation of messy domestic goddesses how to clean up their act with a easy to use and very usable card system. I used it, it really works. Now days we have Flylady - Marla Cilley. But Pam and Peggy will always have a sweet place in my heart. Happiness File has some awesome ideas to add positivity to your life and your card system. It is an old book but I bought a copy on Ebay for a song.

[ValerieC · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books from Pam and Peggy are becoming difficult to find, but I highly recommend this one. It's sort of a culmination of the previous books.

[Susannah Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I could give it 7 stars.

[Chelsey]

The reason I am sane. I read this when I just had my second child...thinking I was already organized. This helped me with the system I use today. Thank you sidetrack sisters! Plus, it was great to read about someone that was more disorganized than I was and they found a way to change!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A favorite since I continue to work at reducing my clutter. I liked the concept of the cards.

[Carrie LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, funny - good reading.

[Allison Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good - a bit outdated but I enjoyed it. The flylady cleaning website I liked was somewhat based on this.

[Hillary roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

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