How to Be Organized in Spite of Yourself

This book is one of the best I have read on its subject. One of the things I liked best is that after reading the opening chapters, I could go to the two chapters that describe the time and space management styles that are unique to me. The tips found there are very helpful!I recommend this book to all busy administrators who want to get a better handle on their time and space management skills. It's a quick read, and will easily pay for itself through the time and money saved. Great buy!

This book totally changed my outlook on all my junk. I've already cleared out half my house and I've only had it for 2 weeks. i've been a slob all my life and this is the first book on organization that actually inspired me to change. It helps you diagnose exactly what your problem is and how to fix it. Great for anyone ready to make a real change!

So often we wish we could be more organized; but, once the initial enthusiasm wears off (usually pretty quickly) we find it hard to follow through and stay organized. We can't understand why - when our intentions are good - we just can't seem to succeed in our quest for a more organized lifestyle.When you read How To Be Organized In Spite of Yourself, you'll get a feeling of lightbulbs flashing in your mind. You'll recognize your organizing and time management styles when you read about the ten different styles described in the book. Once you understand how you may have been working against your style, it will be easier to tackle the next organizing effort. You are more likely to succeed when you adapt the methods most suited to your own personal style. So instead of working against yourself, you'll find it much easier to follow through and get things done.Packed with tips, practical advice, charts and good case studies, How To Get Organized In Spite of Yourself is THE definitive hands-on reference to creating and maintaining new time and space managing habits.As a Organizing Consultant, this is practically my Bible, it was the first book I recommended for the students in my organizing course at SuiteU. I also recommend it for my private clients to keep their motivation high after their consultation is over. Very highly recommended.

I actually hold down 2 demanding jobs, as an air traffic controller and union representative. I share the union office with other people and I have limited time to get my administrative paperwork done. So I really needed advice that would be straightforward and useful. Ms. Schlenger's overview of time and space management styles, along with specific how-to's gave me what I needed to know, in a very readable format. I highly recommend this book to people who have to live or work with others who may have different preferences when it comes to getting organized. We can do things differently, and still get them done!

I find it very refreshing when a book gives me permission to use notes of paper rather than a planner, handle paper more than once when it crosses my desk, and allows me to actually have a desk with things on it. Why, they even let you have a junk drawer, or HandyDrawer for those things I just might need someday (as long as I clean it out once in awhile). The authors of How to Be Organized in Spite of Yourself have done just that, and help us identify ourselves within the Ten Operational Styles: Hopper, Perfectionist Plus, Allergic to Detail, Fence Sitter, Cliff Hanger, Everything Out, Nothing Out, Right Angler, Pack Rat, or Total Slob. And we don't even have to fit perfectly into any one, so we can adapt our organizing system according to several different styles.Time logs are not new to a student of organizational techniques, but the authors encourage us to analyze our logs and identify which tasks have the most value, could be delegated, interrupted, etc. Since most of us don't realize where the time actually does go, this tool forces us to document where and how we get things accomplished. Only then can we change our system and create a new workable one.Full of tips for streamlining your tasks and working with those who have opposing operational styles from our own, this book is very effective in helping us recognize timewasters and helps establish new ways of saving time for the things that actually do matter at work and home.