I was merely looking for a book to help me get better organized, but I got so much more!! This book will not just make your sock drawer look better, it will help you to really look at yourself and why you do the things you do. There were times when I had to just put the book down and marvel in wonderment because she asked a question or made an observation that was so incredibly insightful, I was almost moved to tears.

This book helped me tremendously when it came to organization - something I don't have a natural knack for. I learned that it takes very small changes to make a big difference and I have felt an inner calm since implementing some of the advice this book gives - like taking the extra ten seconds to think about it as you set your keys down, making a conscious effort to giving everything a home to avoid clutter, and sorting through little piles of mail and papers before they become overwhelming nightmares. Also just taking it step by step and not expecting magical changes overnight. I highly recommend this to anyone who struggles with procrastination; anyone looking to learn the advantages of delayed gratification...and a more organized mentality over all.

So far, this is the only book that has made a serious dent in my disorganization. My desk at work has been cleaned off and organized for months on end now, since around June 2007.

Unfortunately, I still have a strong tendency towards lateness, and my entire apartment is still a wreck, but this amazing desk progress is really something.

I learned some cleaning and organizing techniques from Clean Sweep, Julie Morgenstern and David Allen's Getting Things Done, but this book somehow got me to apply what I knew from those other sources. Some of the more extremely hippy dippy stuff is over the top, but some of it hits home. I'll be rereading this book soon, for a second pass at the problem.

This book will remain on my permanent bookshelf...it is a treasure. Took me 1 month to finish as I completed nearly all of the exercises that are placed throughout the book. Even as I worked through the book I always looked forward to the next chapter...which is rare for me. I would strongly recommend this book if you are looking for guidance to truly learn about yourself and WHY you do those things that you do. If you are looking for a list of quick organizing tips then this is not the book for you.

Drawing on the four areas of development (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual), the author focuses on WHY people are unorganized. The book is not as focused on practical steps to become organized, but does give an excellent overview on the path towards understanding. If you want a more specific, skills-based approach, this isn't the book for you. On the other hand, if you want to learn why you're not organized (in ANY area of your life, not just housework!), then this is a good tool.

This is the *best* organization book I have ever came across. I litterately felt like I was sitting in a shrinks office (and it was much cheaper too!). I had so many "ah ha!" moments reading this book and I couldn't put it down. This is one that I will keep on my shelf forever!

The author talked from experience, expresses herself beautifully, provides holistic help, great resources in the appendix. I think it will change my life.

The author talked from experience, expresses herself beautifully, provides holistic help, great resources in the appendix. I think it will change my life.

The author knew all of my weaknesses in organizing my life and she had all the answers on how to correct them.This book will save me two hours a day for the rest of my life.You really feel like you accomplished something after you start practicing these techniques.

I have been frustrated for decades by my messy desk. I tried numerous recommended tactics to manage it, but none worked---until this book! I have finally conquered the monster by following the wise and supportive guidance given by the author. I have purchased copies of this book for many friends and they love it too. I cannot recommend it highly enough for those who feel disorganized around time, space or "stuff". It's great to finally be able to use my desk as I have always wanted to. My desk is at last a source of pleasure instead of a pain--which is handy since I work at it so many hours every day! This approach really works!!! I am extremely grateful to this author and recommend the book most highly.

This book goes way beyond just 'getting organized' and helps you get insight into how your mind works. I hit my first revelation before the author had even introduced her first exercise, and they just kept coming. There are several elements to this book I never expected in a book on organization, including effective time management and spirituality.
I bought my copy in a used bookstore, but this book is so good I'm ordering copies for my friends, family, coworkers, minister...

Paul sets out what looks like a good system for slowly organizing your life, one area at a time. However, in reading this book, I discovered that I currently lack enough motivation to get so organized. Paul's system requires that you make organization a major priority in your life, at least for the period of time when you are training yourself to be organized. If you are not ready to devote significant time and effort to becoming organized, I don't think this book will help.

Marilyn Paul's approach to changing a disorganized life is the first book on organization that has made sense to me. She helped me look at the underlying issues with my disorganization and make small changes that were effective. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is messy, or late or unable to find peace amongst the chaos of their lives.

This book is a roadmap for getting out of the woods and finding your life again. Practical, funny, and written from the heart, Marilyn Paul writes right to the reader. She understands the problems the reader faces, because she's lived most of them herself. This book is not written as a guru teaching a student, but as a friend coaching a friend and helping them uncover their true potential under the piles of stuff!

Read it, follow the tips and actions, and you will see an improvement in your life. P.S. More fun and energy, too!

If you have the desire to "get your act together", but doubt through your own experience that this is really possible, you owe it to yourself to buy and use this illuminating book. I have only been working with it for a week, but I feel completely unblocked and well into what has become a surprisingly joyful process of organization. It's like cream-rinse for your brain.

Took me a while to getting around to writing this review. I was procrastining :) Anyway, this book has tons of useful insights for managing your life, whether or not you tend to be disorganized. It doesn't at all talk down to the reader. The examples really hit home, and the writing is of "literary novel" quality.

I would call this the thinking person's guide to getting organized. I was delighted by the intelligence and breadth of this approach. And, I am actually reading the book. I often buy self-help books, and then I don't read them. I am reading this every day and it is changing my life. I find good sense and inspiration on every page. I highly recommend it.

Five stars!

Firstly, let me state that I am an avid reader, and this is the first book I've ever read that has prompted me to write a review.

I can't express how differently I feel about my "chronic" clutter and disorganization after reading this book. I have used organizing methods and "tip" books before...many of them quite good, but the new regimes would only last for a little while. This is the first book that has truly gotten to the "why" of my cluttering tendencies, in a genuine, non-judgmental, humorous, and compassionate way that WORKS.

Simply reading it was helpful. However, I found that "working" the book was MUCH more effective. I actually did the exercises included in the chapters and was astounded at the kind of information about myself that was revealed, so I would REALLY recommend going the extra mile there. Take the time to do the exercises...it does pay off!

The result has been a completely organic shift in my behavior that has been completely effortless. It IS a process...my life hasn't become neat, clean, and fully organized overnight! But the small beginning steps have made a truly dramatic difference. My whole attitude has changed. I see progress every day and am so optimistic now that I know it is only a short matter of time before other areas of my home--and life!--will follow suit.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and in fact have recommended it to SEVERAL friends and relatives. If you are looking for a basic organizing "tip" book, there are a million out there. But if you've tried them, and they haven't worked, and you're ready to get to the root of the problem and truly see progress...READ THIS BOOK!!

At last! This is the "getting organized" book for all those of us who have tried many other books and methods only to eventually fall back into our old disorderly habits. This book goes beyond treating the symptoms and gets to the real heart of the matter. Dr. Paul speaks from personal experience as she helps her readers see clearly how chronic disorganization is ultimately a betrayal of our integrity, dignity and responsibility; how it drains our self-confidence and damages our most important relationships. With humor and compassion, she makes getting organized an exciting journey of self-discovery. This is the first book I've read on the topic that deeply energized and inspired me. I couldn't put it down! For the first time, I really felt understood by an author on this topic. I have already given this book as a gift to friends and colleagues. It's a brilliant one-of-a-kind effort that I keep close by wherever I go.

This book is unique in exposing the deeper "why's" of disorganization. With her seven-step model, Marilyn Paul offers an intensely practical and easy-to-follow roadmap to transforming chaos into order. She offers a means to live powerfully with ease and calm. The first step on the path is to define one's "compelling purpose for organizing" ; the secret to staying motivated while patiently reversing years of disorderly habits. Next, she helps the reader vividly imagine how life would be if you were living that purpose right now. Then "taking stock" not only diagnoses the physical symptoms of disorder but helps the reader uncover the emotional, mental, and spiritual levels that are key to lasting and comprehensive change. The next step on setting up a support system of colleagues, friends and family is a practical method to ensure on-going success. The heart of the book on organizing wisdom includes how to establish a disciplined "rhythm of organizing" as a new normal in one's life. The notion of "getting to ready" is worth the price of the book on its own. The step on "taking effective action" is chock full of specific ideas for mastering space, time and activities. Then, in the last step, Dr. Paul illustrates how combining spiritual practices such as meditation with organizational methods opens a door to deeper awareness and increased personal presence that leave us fully available for whatever life may offer. With all her ideas, Dr. Paul offers specific applications to such venues as home, office, and company or organization.

For those readers who are tempted to just skim the mother lode of tips and techniques in the book, I say "don't"! I recommend taking the time to follow the seven step path she lays out and complete the exercises throughout each step. I found her model to be deeply grounded in wisdom about the essential nature of human beings and her exercises had me in action with new habits that led me to new ways of thinking. This is a book that has had a major impact on my everyday life. Thank you, Marilyn Paul!

What a fabulous book! I have read many books on how to get organized. Each time I would follow (or at least try to follow)the steps that were supposed to clear up the clutter in my life. Shortly thereafter, however, the clutter would return. This is the first book on organizing that really helped me understand what the root causes of disorganization are, rather than focusing solely on the symptom of clutter. Using the tools and messages of this book I have started to change my habits and am now getting more satisfying and lasting results. Marilyn Paul has a wonderful writing style that is easy to read, and almost soothing. Her tone is non-judgemental and empathetic. She has a true understanding of the organizational issues many of us face. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants less clutter of any kind in their life.