Complete Idiot's Guide to Organizing Your Life, 3e

With all the harsh reviews of this book, I had to put my two cents in. All my life, I had kept everything because I was so sentimental. Any little thing I was given, no matter if it was useful or not, was to be kept. I spent most of my teenage years perenally cleaning my room. It's not that I was a slob persay, but that I didn't have enough room to keep everything put away neatly. So it overflowed into my attic.. which was a mess as well. When I went to college, the clutter came with me. Finally, the summer of my freshman year, I saw this book (2nd edition I think), in a bookstore and picked it up. I can honestly say it was a Godsend. Georgene Lockwood gave simple advice for dealing with the clutter that had taken over my life. It took me all summer to put everything in order. I had to get over the "attachment" I had to each item. I followed Lockwood's common sense approach for cleaning out each room, and closet. I gave things to friends, charities, had yard sales. For the first time in my life, I started to keep a filing system following the principles put forth in this book. I learned what chores I should do, and how often to keep the house cleaner. Now I have my own home, and it may not be perfect, but the amount of clutter is very low, and pretty much everything has a system. The straight forward style of writing may be intimidating to those who aren't ready to make a life change. It's kinda like dieting, you have to be ready to change. If you're willing to make a change and strictly follow the steps in this book, you'll be all set.

I was not disappointed by this book at all! Everytime I pick it up, I find some knew wisdom/suggestions to take with me. I consider myself a complete disaster-type person - always running around for my keys and purse in the morning - consistently late to work. I don't know if this book will solve all of my organizational problems, but I am definitely improving. It's also very attainable - the suggestions are totally within my grasp. It made me feel a lot better to read that I don't have to be "Martha Stewart" to be a success in organizing my life! Phew! It was worth the purchase price and time spent reading it! I recommend it!

Of the three organizing guides I own - this is my favorite. I am very organized but I found this book inspirational. It touches on the basics for getting organized and would really be helpful for those who need to pick up basic skills. The thing I enjoyed most about this book was that it didn't dwell on complex systems (if you're trying to get organized, the last thing you need). I also like the reference section. If you buy one organizing book then get this one - a good valuable tool for the money. Read and get organized! Lockwood should promote on Oprah - this is the best book - beats "Organizing from the Inside Out" and far surpasses the Beverly Hills organizing book.

I bought this book about a year ago, and it really has changed my way of thinking. Being a very sentimental person, I have a tendency to keep everything. The problem is, there is only so much space and my drawers & cupboards were starting to look a little (read very) crampy. After reading this wonderful book, my attitude to stuff changed and with it came a whole new life! I have read other organising books but must say that they were less than inspirational. Georgene Lockwood has a lovely personal style that shines through her writing. I also recommend reading "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Time" in conjunction with 'Organising Your Life'. It holds many of the same premises yet focuses on different angles of your life.

If you have one million things to do in a short period of time and feel there is no way you could possible do everything this is the book for your. It will guide you all the way showing you ways to organize your time so that you can complete all one million tasks in an orderly non stressfull fashion.