The Frantic Woman's Guide to Life: A Year's Worth of Hints, Tips, and Tricks

As a professional writer, I've learned that if I say: "I'm going to write Chapter 1 today," chances are it won't get done. BUT, if I give myself a goal of "I'm going to outline Chapter 1 and flesh out my characters," I have a much better chance of accomplishing that "do-able" goal. Well, this book is the hallmark of listing do-able tasks--nothing overwhelming, nothing particularly difficult--but all designed to make your life less hectic, less distraught and of course, less frantic! So what if you don't get through the entire list?!? The authors understand you very well may not--but even if you don't, they're supportive and encouraging. You feel as if you're being helped--not lectured to or berated. This is definitely a hands-on book, so feel free to break the binding, mark off the checklists (live dangerously--do them in green ink!) and even make liner notes as you add your own items to their checklists. And if you've misplaced your bookmark, don't fret. Bend the page to mark your place. The authors will understand!

My first thought upon picking up this book was that I was NOT frantic... just sort of continuously running at a low level of mild panic. I decided to give it a chance, and I'm glad I did. I was afraid this book would lecture me about being a perfect wife and mother (ha ha ha), but I found this was not the case at all. Instead of coming off like My Mom, I got a definite "girlfriend vibe" from the authors. For someone like me, the habit of planning ahead to avoid being overwhelmed later on is something utterly foreign and has to be learned. I'm one of those people who loves concise little tips - easier for me to digest and remember - and I've found the tips in the book to be very helpful and creative. Though my children are mostly grown now, I still have a lot of challenges for running my household and my life in general. I got the book at the beginning of 2005, and I think there is hope for me. I'm not quite ready to do "Christmas in July," but I think with the help of the Frantic Women I may actually get it done on time in December for a change!

You're too frantic to get your life organized, but if your life were better organized you wouldn't be so frantic. This book has the answer: tons of simple ways to get a handle on your life, divided by month and written in quick-read sections so you're not overwhelmed. Open the book to any page and I promise you'll find at least one AHA! idea that makes so much sense you'll wonder why you hadn't thought of it before. Like bringing a basket with you as you clean from room to room, to collect the items that don't belong there (I used to take the item to its proper room and then get side-tracked straightening up that room). Get this book and keep it somewhere handy so when you have a free second (waiting in the car at the bus stop or maybe in the bathroom) you can pick up another tip to make life a little less franzzled!

I love this book because there is something in it for everyone--single or married women of all ages, with or without kids. I'm married without kids, but my life can get "frantic" at times, too, and there's so much in this book that I can put to use in my everyday life. The checklists are great because I'm a checklist kind of person. The "Hidden gems" are little practical tips that come in so handy. But I think what I like most about it are the month-by-month reminders--so many ideas that I've never thought of before that I can't wait to try out this year!

I love the way this book is set up in month by month chapters! It's so easy to read and to apply the tips, a little at a time. In the first couple of pages, they offered a solution for one of my worst habits--dropping my keys and purse on the table in the foyer. I've been trying to break the habit for years, but instead, they recommend "putting things where they land" as they call it. So now, I have a beautiful basket with a lid that hides the mess and still lets me keep my things where I'm used to putting them. It's a basic concept, but I'm so thrilled with the result. And now I'm working on organizing the shelves in my bathroom the way they suggested. This book is packed with great, simple tips. I highly recommend it for all you busy women out there!