Organizing for Dummies

by Eileen Roth, Elizabeth A. Miles

Book by Eileen Roth

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Reference, Productivity, Personal Development, Inspirational, How To

Paperback

First published November 22, 2000

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

If anyone were to read a book on organizing, I would recommend "Organizing from the Inside Out" by Julie Morgenstern. It is much more "organized" and helpful... one of my favorite books!

[Paulo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book I have only found common sense.

I feel the lack of a , in other words, something that could change my life.

Anyway, it is just for dummies ;-) Well, just my 2 cents :-)

[StarMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERDICT: 3.5 to 4 stars -- for the 400+ page versions, available in paperback or eBook form.

IN SHORT: This mostly-practical organizing book dares to skip most (but not all) of the usual psychobabble & "feelings" stuff, and covers organization of areas in and around the home.

It's also free of preachy content or religious quotes (if memory serves), and doesn't end every third sentence with exclamation marks! It's also lighter on the usual un-funny "humor"* than many books in the genre suffer from.

*As is common in "Dummies" books, a few one-panel cartoons are included, most of which are actually relevant and/or amusing.



TIP: One or more versions is usually available at larger libraries or in eBook form (overdrive dot com, etc.) for free.

There are multiple editions of Organizing for Dummies. Some may be shorter summaries, while others are 400+ pages.

Older editions are fine, but may mention dying technologies (fax, landline phones, answering machines, etc.) that are less relevant today. The basic principles still apply for voice mail, emails, and so forth.

[Kegel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Das Buch geht irgendwie davon aus, dass man ein riesiges Haus hat mit vielen und großen Räumen, überall Platz für noch mehr Schränke, Gästezimmer, ein eigenes Wohnzimmer zum Empfang von Gästen, denn im Wohnzimmer seien Fernseher, Computer und Spielzeug "tabu", dafür gibt es ja das "Familien/Medienzimmer"! Die Lösung ist in der Regel, 1. ausmisten, 2. alles in Systemen organisieren und dafür reichlich Schränke haben (das ist auch die Lösung im kurzen Kapitel zum Thema "kleine Wohnung"). In den späteren Kapiteln gehts schrägerweise um Ratschläge für alle Lebenslagen, selbst zum Thema Dating. Häh?

[Sa Schmidt · Rating 1 out of 5]

By the time you get organized to start organizing from the start to finish of this book, you'd give up trying. It takes too long to make real progress. Too many lists, not enough action.

I want it straight forward, fast not creating a bunch of materials and lists.

The organizing suggestion I liked most was having a bin for collecting donation items in your basement and once it's full pack it up and donate it. Wish I'd thought if it years ago.

[Beronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great anachronisms for approaching tasks and organizing myself.
I like that the authors discussed time management, effort, relationships and delegating to others. This would listen to this in audio while organizing so as to reminded and encouraged. I will need to see if it’s in audio.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm less and less impressed with the "dummies" format. This particular book was pretty unimaginative and not filled with great ideas. On top of that, since it's really small in size, I lost it for a while among my piles of crap. SO that's not good.

[laura smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

Some useful ideas. Disappointed that I had not noticed it was just a mini edition though. Interested to read in more depth though.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of fluff for a short book. Most of this is common sense. Ultimately, does it Spark Joy? Do you still use and need it?

But it's worth it at least for a quick read and glance through.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you hear the same message over and over again, it becomes embedded in your brain. Right? RIGHT?

This is mostly why I got this from the dollar bin at Target last fall. I've been slightly obsessed the last couple of years with reading books about de-cluttering: the art of purging your crap and not buying more. (The irony of buying a cheapie book at Target to help me get rid of my junk is not lost on me.)

I brought this book with me on a camping trip over a holiday weekend because upon my return, I needed to focus again on the task at hand. I have less than two months to make some big things happen. I read through the whole book in about a half-hour during my trip.

Today, three days later, I passed the book along to a visiting friend who expressed interest. "Pass it along, spread the goodness. It'll be one less thing you own!" my brain thought, and I gave it away without a thought. Unfortunately it didn't take long for me to realize that blazing through the book just once didn't give my brain enough time to fully soak in all the content. "What were those acronyms again? Oh no, I don't remember a thing!"

Sure, I already know and am practicing the big lessons, but I try to read many of these books to remember a wide variety of strategies and tips.

So although I don't think I "need" the book anymore, I secretly hope my friend returns it. :)

[Katy H]

Yes, I'm slightly more than pathetic because I read all the way up to page 15 and then realized that I don't have the energy to 1. finish the book, much less 2. implement any of the organizational ideas therein. So, this has been relegated to the "On hold"/"To-read" shelves until I find the energy to actually DO something with the undoubtably sage and brilliant advice Ms. Roth has to offer. (Plus, it seems just a bit like wasted energy, given that I am perpetually planning to move) That said, I certainly don't plan to leave behind a big ol' mess at my parents' home so this will definitely come in SUPER handy. Just not right now.

[Nolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank God it is not expensive

This is a book definitely written for dummies, real dummies, and analogical ones, e.g. there is no mention at all to apps and often talks about phone books, writing notes... Really, there is nothing really compelling or useful to take away from this book, nothing different, surprising, new. A waste of time and money (even if it is a small amount of each).

[Julie Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book actually has some really good tips for organizing your life, including use of deadlines, routines, learning to say "no," though I don't agree with skipping lunch, relying on email "as much as possible" (I check at the beginning and end of the day). There are some solid suggestions that can simplify one's life.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think you're too busy to read this book? Theoretically, the time-saving advice in this book is so useful, you will gain back whatever time it takes to read it. I found much of the information in here to be helpful.

[Melissa]

This is an easy read (even though i am only on chapter 3!) I hope i stick with it, AND learn something from it - I REALLY need help getting everything in my life organized :(

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

getting organized now - pitch pitch and pitch some more.....also not sure exactly the WASTE method but this is basic common sense, people! one room/drawer at a time!!

[Jonathan Seger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good practical advice on home & office organization. I like her advice on the home more than the office, but I think that has to do more with preference than anything.

[J Veda Reade · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was helpful, I already knew most of what is being taught in this book.