Time Management for Dummies

by Jeffrey J. Mayer

IF YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED, to learn about time management but could never get around to it, you really need Time Management For Dummies . Here, you find practical, how-to advice that you can implement right away to get your life back in balance and be more successful at home and at work. Jeffrey J. Mayer, one of the United States' foremost authorities on time management, shares his expert tips on such topics as organizing your desk and files, prioritizing your to-dos, setting goals, and scheduling time for yourself, your family, and your friends.

Genres: Self Help, Business, Nonfiction

274 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 1995

Reviews

[Hal · Rating 1 out of 5]

From my Epinions Review (published April 7, 2000)

I picked up a copy of Time Management for Dummies to see if I can find ways to get more done in less time. Don't we all need something like that? Considering that time is a precious commodity for many of us in this day and age, you would expect to see a strong demand for a book such as this one.

Alas, this book has a few problems with it. First of all, the title is wrong. The correct title should be Time Management, How to Use Contact Tracking Software, How to Succeed in Business, and, By the Way, Here's a Primer on How and When to Upgrade Your Computer! The kitchen sink has literally been thrown into this book; unfortunately, only the first 45 pages truly involve time management. The rest of the book appears to be a catchall for things the author might have wanted to write in several other books, but just didn't have the time. (Ha ha, get it?)

Those first 45 pages are useful, however. Learning how to clean up a messy desk is a great start to becoming better organized and better able to get things done. And I like the idea about preparing a Master List to get organized. I guess the rest of the book (page 46 on) isn't that bad if you're inclined to learn more about, say, how to make a winning presentation.

Author Jeffrey Mayer also wrote the bestselling book, If you haven't got time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? Perhaps I should have looked for that book instead of this eye-catching Dummies book, which apparently contains material from his bestseller. This book reads as if the author were being paid by the word (he hints as much on page 7).

I have to say, some of the non-time management 'advice' he gives is just a bit pat. In his chapter, "Ten Tips for Out-of-Town Travel," he suggests that you could expect delays in airline travel (REALLY?). To give yourself extra time when going to the airport in case there is unexpected traffic. Give yourself extra time to find a parking spot. And gosh darn, expect delays at security checkpoints and passenger check-ins, because "infrequent flyers always hold up the line." Those pesky infrequent flyers.

I don't mean to be so hard on Mr. Mayer. Those first 45 pages really have some good ideas. I was just looking for something more thorough, and to pad it out with unrelated minutiae makes this book a real disappointment. Perhaps I should look for that bestseller.

[Malik Aljabri · Rating 3 out of 5]

إستمعت له ككتاب صوتي بالإنجليزية ، مفيد للغاية و لكنه يكرر الكلام المعتادعن إدارة الوقت ، بسيط للجميع و يعطيك بعض الأفكار للمبتدئين عن الطريقة المثلي لإدارة وقتهم ، أنصح به بالنسبة للقارئ المبتدى في إدارة الوقت و الذي لا يريد التعمق كثيرا في هذا البحر ، في الكتاب الصوتى تم إختصار الكثير فيه بينما يبدو أنه ورقيا طويل نسبيا ...

[Marzieh · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s really for dummies and also gives really old advices. I found it as a suggestion for new students in the library of our university but actually I don’t think that it’s really helpful for students. Doesn’t worth the time

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book happened to be really old. lol.
I could only read so many chapters and skimmed the ones that were not relevant to me, what I do, etc. It has some pretty basic tips.

[Kaloyan K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read, but I just found stuff that I already know. I was initially introduced to productivity and time managements by David Allen's GDT and next few book by Brian Tracy, and I must admit that I found a lot of that stuff in this book as well. Unfortunately it was written 20-30 years ago, and now it seems outdated. Anyway, if you are a newbie to time management you will surely find some sound advice in it.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pick this up early in my career, it did offer some good insight that helped me adjust to the time driven business world we live in today.

[Ethan Fleck · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good organization stuff in here, but other than that, I could have managed to use my time better :)

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too outdated except for his specific software recommendation for productivity.

[Tim Moravec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some ideas apply, some do not, worth reading. Helped me.

[Julie Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful tips about time management across a broad spectrum. Applicable strategies included.