Time Management for Unmanageable People: The Guilt-Free Way to Organize, Energize, and Maximize Your Life Review

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(More customer reviews)The key to the book is that you have to find a time management system that works for you. If you have trouble following the traditional methods (personal organizer, lists, etc.), then throw them away and find your own method, without a feeling of failure or of being defective. There are many tips in the book on finding that method, with suggestions that have worked for other people. (There are three of us now in my group using a variation of the post-it method!) In addition to writing about getting organized, Magee-Cooper and Trammell include ways of getting rid of unnecessary mental baggage (why it's not bad to procrastinate, for example) which were very enlightening. In addition, the book is quick to read (concise and well-written) and very entertaining, with some fun drawings that many people may identify with!

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Getting Organized: Improving Focus, Organization and Productivity Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a very good book to help you get organized. I originally had a three star and changed it to a four star. So many of this book's best elements are also found in David Allen's Getting Things Done. I read Allen's book last year and it knocked my socks off. When I read this, I wasn't as impressed as I would have if I read Crouch's before Allen's (they're both obviously drawing some of the best tidbits from some of the same material that preceded them). They have many, many of the same very helpful tips. The advantage of Crouch's is that is has short digestible chapters. However, an overall approach does not clearly emerge, just a bunch of big and small organizing ideas. An advantage of Allen's is that you get a clear, overarching approach into which all those good tips suggested in these books fit. Allen's chapters are longer, and though very readable, can get a little bogged down compared to Crouch. If I had only one book to buy, I'd get Allen's. However, I'm glad I read Crouch's because it has given me a refresher.
Getting organized is a major issue for many of us (I work two jobs, both of which require me to maintain an office). While one book may do it for some, I strongly believe that major habit changes will more likely come if you really plunge into an area like this. That means reading Crouch's book, Allen's book, and even Julie Morganstern's Organizing from the Inside Out. While Allen and Crouch focus on the office and home office (mail, home files, etc.), Morgenstern also covers garage, basement, closets, etc. I'm serious, to change the way you look at things, you need to read several books and make yourself an "expert." Otherwise, it will be a book you read that you're not likely to act on.
I read them in the order of 1) Allen, 2) Morgenstern and 3) Crouch. If any readers will choose to read all three of these, I'd recommend Crouch first, then Allen, then Morgenstern. Crouch will lure you in with his short little chapters (once you get past his too many introductory-type chapters before you get into the good stuff). Then, reinforce what you learn by reading a lot of overlapping stuff in Allen's book, but Allen will give you an outline or framework that ties it all together. Then, move on from the office to your closets and garage with Morgenstern. Of the three, Allen was the best for me, but I needed the others to sustain my momentum. Good luck!

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Getting Organized is a collection of simple ideas that address at least six major issues that could be generating chaos and disorder in your life or the lives of your employees. Each idea is presented in a three-part format: the first section gives you information on the idea (What?), the second section tells you more about the idea and how it might affect you (So What?), and the third section gives you specific suggestions on how to put the idea to work (Now What?). As a reader, this makes your part simple...take a quick look at the idea, try the ideas you like, discard the ones you don't. According to the author, If you are reading a book on how to get organized, I suspect you want to get to the point. You are probably looking for simple ideas presented in a straightforward and easy-to-digest manner. You have no need for confusion, complexity or unnecessary information. Getting Organized is presented in a format that helps even stressed, overworked, overwhelmed and overloaded people improve their situation with a minimum investment of time. It presents tips, ideas and recommendations that are easy to understand, easy to implement and easy to maintain. Even if you've tried unsuccessfully to get organized before, consider reading Getting Organized. You'll find effective organizing solutions to your workplace challenges and will enjoy the benefits for years to come.

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100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask: With Answers from Top Brokers from Around the Country Review

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(More customer reviews)I happily endorse this book. The new second edition contains many new questions from the first edition, revised many other questions, and completely rewrites every answer. Things are changing fast in residential real estate, and this book will bring you up-to-date. Whether you are a first-time buyer, first-time seller, or haven't bought a home in at least five years, this book will serve your needs very well. The questions are drawn from those that brokers report that first-time buyers most often ask. The answers draw upon the experiences of many brokers.
How much training does it take to become a librarian, teacher, lawyer, physician, or rocket scientist? How well would the world work for us if such training were skimped on?
When it comes to buying a first home (whether condo, co-op, or fixer-upper), most people act as though you can do brain surgery without the training. Not!
Even if you view this emotionally and financially important investment as one to be approached carefully, most first-time buyers will make important errors. Here are a few of my favorites:
(1) Not thinking about how hard it may be to resell the home.
(2) Vastly underestimating how much money will be needed to fix it up.
(3) Overpaying for the home because of not realizing how to negotiate.
(4) Waiting until finding one's soul mate before purchasing.
(5) Spending more than you can afford, and using boxes for furniture.
(6) Purchasing a home that doesn't fit your needs (where will you put 4 children and you in 2 bedrooms?).
(7) Taking on a horrible commute.
Interest rates are down in light of the terrible terrorist tragedy and weak economy. Unemployment is rising. Based on historical patterns, this is a good time to buy. Are you ready? Probably not, even if you think you are.
But I have good news for you. If you read and apply the lessons of this book, you will be more ready than many people who have already bought homes.
The subjects covered include deciding what you needs are, versus your likes; how to look; determining what you can afford; deciding what broker to use; how to work with the broker (especially what not to tell the broker, since most work for the seller); how to decide what to offer; how to negotiate; getting the best financing; checking out the house; handling the closing; and even dealing with problems after the closing. You also get help with which professionals (such as buying agents, lawyers, and home inspectors) to use, how to select them, what they will cost, and how to work with them.
I have bought or helped buy three houses, am an attorney, and am a licensed real estate agent. I found several areas where this excellent book extended my knowledge. I know it will save you thousands of dollars . . . and probably even more in avoided emotional trauma!
The book does this by posing questions, providing worksheets, steering you to Internet resources, and describing case histories.
No book from the buyer's perspective can however hope to dispel the incredible naiveté that we all have when we first purchase a home (all 2 million a year who are like lambs being led to the slaughter). For that purpose, I suggest that you also read another book, How to Sell Your Home Fast, which is an excellent description of what intelligent, prepared sellers will be doing to get you to buy their home and pay too much. Beneath all the friendly chit-chat with the sellers, realize that your are usually being carefully maneuvered to act against your own interest.
By the way, this book does not do enough to warn you about hidden house faults. Home inspectors are not the entire answer. They usually get their referrals from brokers, and will usually not tell you the worst of what can happen lest brokers stop recommending them. Spend some extra money and have people you know well and trust who are expert in electrical, heating, air conditioning, structural, roofing, plumbing, soil, and environmental hazards take a look also. They will find things that you can use to get the price lowered to cover the cost of repairs. My experience is that you will save about [amt.] for every [amt.] you spend in this way.
I also recommend that you find 10 people who are a lot like you who purchased a home similar to what interests you about five years ago. Ask them what they did right and what didn't work out so well.
After you explore all of these choices, you may want to consider what I did once . . . rent with an option to purchase. All of my rent went towards the down payment. I found I loved the house, saved money, and had few problems with repairs. I later sold it for a nice profit.
Also, spend time in the yard of your potential new home at all hours of the day and night. You may be surprised by some of the positive and negative features. In one home, I discovered that a dozen deer came by across a creek at 7:30 a.m. Seeing them every morning became my favorite part of every day.
After preparing by knowing what the right questions are, look for all of the potential problems and opportunities in making large decisions. Then sleep on your decision for three nights. You'll know what to do then!


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