Totally Organized: Easy-to-Use Techniques for Getting Control of Your Time and Your Life by Bonnie McCullough: 5 out of 5 stars.
Dear Bonnie,
I love your book. I would like to shower you with daffodils and buy you a latte. Really, I would shower you with daffodils just for the first two chapters of your book. You write like you know real life. You don’t make me feel bad for not being totally organized yet, but you make me realize that it’s possible. You don’t give me so many details that I get lost in them, but you give me enough that I really understand the principles.
You write chapters that are short, easy to read, and filled up with good ideas, tips, helps, methods, lists, plans, and suggestions that I want to go do right away. I love that you’ve sorted the concepts into sections, but that each chapter stands alone. I can sit down, read one chapter, get up and apply it and see immediate improvement. And then, when I feel ready, I can sit down and tackle another chapter and solve another problem.
I like that your methods are simple and make sense. I like that I don’t have to buy two dozen special products. I like that you have an entire section on dealing with household paper and another on organizing with kids. Some of the professionals who wrote some of those other organizing books obviously have never spent any time around small humans, and they don’t know the effect they have on organization. You do!
I like that you share examples from your own life, like this:
“I made 200 copies of my daily routine, much like the one shown. At the time I needed the boost of seeing the little things I had finished crossed off my list. It took me six months to get control of the morning routine, partly because I had a young baby, but mostly because I was so undisciplined. Once I had this under control, I was the master…”
I really like some of your thoughts, like these:
- “People are more important than things, but the order of things affects people.”
- “Don’t take your home problems as personal insults. Instead, learn to look for solutions.”
- “When you buy impulsively, you are letting someone else influence your food dollar, and you may not get your best value.”
- “As a general rule, children will not “notice” when things need to be done. They need to be trained.”
- “The preschooler should learn a basic routine of everyday neatness…and of everyday personal grooming.”
- “When preschoolers want to help, encourage them by finding ways to let them feel helpful even though it may mean the job takes longer.”
- “To be organized does not mean that you never get lost. It means that you know how to find your way back.”
Thank you for writing this book,
for sharing your wise and witty and practical help with me and many others. Anytime you want that latte – and the daffodils – come on over. As soon as I’ve done my Daily Minimum, I’ll be free.
Sincerely,
Annie
Bottom Line: If you live in a house, you should read this book. If you have kids, you should read this book. If you deal with paperwork of any kind, you should read this book. If you’ve ever felt unorganized, you should read this book. If you’re anything like me – live in a house, have kids, lots of paperwork, and frequent feelings of disorganization – you should buy, read, highlight, underline, memorize this book.
More:
401 Ways to Get Your Kids to Work at Home by Bonnie McCullough
Bonnie’s Household Budget Book by Bonnie McCullough
Image courtesy of Lusi.