Book Description

In today's world, yesterday's methods just don't work. In Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares the breakthrough methods for stress-free performance that he has introduced to tens of thousands of people across the country. Allen's premise is simple: our productivity is directly proportional to our ability to relax. Only when our minds are clear and our thoughts are organized can we achieve effective productivity and unleash our creative potential. In Getting Things Done Allen shows how to:

€ Apply the "do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it" rule to get your in-box to empty
€ Reassess goals and stay focused in changing situations
€ Plan projects as well as get them unstuck
€ Overcome feelings of confusion, anxiety, and being overwhelmed
€ Feel fine about what you're not doing

From core principles to proven tricks, Getting Things Done can transform the way you work, showing you how to pick up the pace without wearing yourself down. ... Read more

Reviews (98)

Time Tested Principals
I attended one of David's seminars in 1986. As a result, I was able to successfully manage 101 concurrent projects, finishing on time and under budget. Fast forward to 2001. I keep this book by my side at all times (David publish it in Ebook form so it's easier to carry!). The company I'm with now wonders how I get the "impossible" projects done. Using David's techniques in the book, it seems like I can complete a full work day in fewer hours because I know what all my "next actions" are, and do them promptly. Gives me a lot of worry free time.

This is a book you "DO" not just read. Be prepared to work when you start out, but when the initial work is done, that's when the fun begins.

I cleaned my inbox and email box of 300 items in less than 15 minutes, filtering out the junk, the things that needed immediate attention, and the "someday maybe" things (like buying my first Harley).

This works for my personal life too. No more missed anniversaries, birthdays, phone calls, errands, etc.

Do you ever think about work projects at home? Do you ever think about home projects when you're at the office? Ever worry about that phone call you need to make or that errand you need to run? Forget it! Get the book. It's awesome. Get the book - period. If you don't, you deserve your stress.

Truly the guide to stress-free productivity
I manage a team of twenty, in a very stress-filled IT environment. We juggle multiple projects with overlapping deadlines all the time. This book taught me far more than the well known time management guides and gurus. I learned to put EVERYTHING - my work life, personal life, dream life (to be a millionaire without being the weakest link or swallowing bugs!) into one place, and organize it all based on me - my life, current job, etc. I also used it to help my team. We now breeze through our deadlines, with lots of productivity and very little stress. We are able to work long hours when needed, and take time off when needed. Hopefully, future releases will bring a companion workbook and this book unabridged on tape or CD. FYI - Mr. Allen has a wonderful web site ... where you can sign up for his free weekly newsletter and continue to learn and grow. He also lists lots more helpful tips, etc. on the web site that you can download and share with your peers and staff members. I urge anyone who is feeling overwhelmed in their life and career to give this process a try. You will be very glad you did.

DAM! (David Allen Method).
The real gist of this book is this;

First, tangibly ALL your thoughts to do something must be somewhere in order for you to PHYSICALLY apply it. Hence, you must write them down or put them all (stuff) somewhere, notes, post-it, napkins, etc., ANYTHING, just make it physically tangible. This is the only way for us to now LOGICALLY apply it. Because we are physical creatures, we must see our thoughts physically also. Down one.

Number two: when all of this is done, get the little ones out of the way, hence the "two-minute rule". Anything under two minutes DO IT NOW. DAM! (David Allen Method) yeah!!!

That's basically the "d.a.m." (pardon the pun) method. For details and even a better understanding buy or borrow the book.

When you think about it, it's all about logic. Delineate the process, divide, then conquer. Sort of like eating a big steak, you have to cut it to make it chewable, then taste, and decide to swallow, chew, or just spit it out, and before you know it, it's gone! It's funny we never applied this logic to our business, maybe below will explain why!

One thing that bugs me is that if something takes 2 minutes and we now need to do it now, there is one section about a guy going through 800 e-mails. If each one took two minutes, the e-mail "project" then took more than 26 hours!!! He didn't mention that in the book! Should he then delegate it, defer it, dump it, or simply call the waiter??? Note: vomiting is NOT an option!

Works, I'm Using it.
I have read both books first from the library and only bought the paperback of Allens second book, Ready for Anything.

I am now buying the hardcover edition for this book because I plan to use it over and over. I have been a student of effective work flow for 15 years and this is one of the best methods I have found to clear your work surfaces and your mind to get down to creative, fun productive activities.

I looked like I was OK but my cupboards were full of junk
I was one of those people who looked like I had things under control, and wasn't far from it, but my cupboards, drawers and email files were full of junk and felt like a ball and chain. I heard about this book at an Optimal Thinking seminar and decided to buy it. I knew it was in my best interest to clean up the junk and proceeded with Dave Allen's system. If anything took less than two minutes to resolve, I did it on the spot. I have to say that almost everything is in place now. I feel free of a huge load and am proud that I took control of it. This is a terrific book. I recommend it if you want a simple system to get things done. If you want to learn how to make the most of your thinking to achieve emotional mastery and get the most from every situation, read Optimal Thinking-How To Be Your Best Self too. ... Read more

Book Description

Get that monkey off your back!

Start with a monkey. It comes from your subordinates shifting their responsibility to you -- until you're working for them! How does the successful manager keep monkeys off his back? In this lively, provocative seminar, two of today's foremost consultants show you:

* How to recognize monkeys before they land on your back
* How to stop your subordinates from imposing unnecessary time demands on you
* Why "an honest day's work for a fair day's pay" does not apply to managers
* The real answer to the Manager's Lament: "where does all the time go?"
* Why you should be on the golf course on Saturday instead of at the office

Be a smarter, tougher and better manager!

Together and separately Kenneth Blanchard and William Oncken have trained and consulted with America's largest corporations. Now they bring their unique style and hard-hitting program to audio -- to help you take charge of your job and your life. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A new way to work less and be more efficient
The one minute manager's symbol, a one-minute readout from the face of a modern digital watch, is intended to remind each of us to take a minute out of our day to look into the faces of the people we manage. The monkey manger's symbol a stressed manager overwhelmed by a desk full of problems, is intended to remind us to constantly discipline ourselves to invest our time on the most vital aspects of management rather than dilute our effectiveness by "doing more efficiently those things that shouldn't be done in the first place." What follows, is a story of a manger who worked long hours and never seemed to get caught up with all the work he had to do. He learned about monkey management and how not to take initiative away from his people so they can care for and feed their own monkeys. In the process, he learned to be more effective in dealing with his own manager and the demands of his organization. The performance of his department drastically improved, as did the prospects for his career. The authors hope is that you will use what you learn in this book to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people you interact with at work and at home.

Just to Sum it up..
The One Minute Manager's symbol- a one-minute readout from the face of a modern digital watch- is intended to remind each of us to take a minute out of our day to look into the faces of the people we manage. And to realize that they are our most important resources. The Monkey Manager's symbol- a harried manager overwhelmed by a deskful of problems- is intended to remind us to constantly discipline ourselves to invest our time on the most vital aspects of management rather than dilute our effectiveness by "doing more efficiently those things that shouldn't be done in the first place." What follows is a story about a harried manager who worked long, hard hours, yet never quite seemed to get caught up with all the work he had to do. He learned about monkey management and how not to take initiative away from his people so they can care for and feed their own "monkeys." In the process, he learned to be more effective in dealing with his own manager and the demands of his organization. The performance of his department drastically improved as did the prospects for his career. The authors hope is that you will use what you learn in this book to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people you interact with at work, and at home.

Great Advise!
Great advise to new managers. I really could relate to the story. Both helpful and validating.

How to make money by stating the bleedin' obvious
Take a "humourous" title, take one sentence (in this case : Don't take too much responsibility for things) and write an entire book about it - don't forget to include quotable phrases that mean nothing. This is the perfect recipe for getting money out of the easiest (and most populous) demographic in America : the incompetent middle manager.

Absolutely Fantastic! Will kickstart your career
Buy the book or better yet listen to the tape then watch the change in your attitude Monday morning.

A good meter for a manager to know if he has too many monkeys is by comparing e-mail inbaskets, since that is where so many of us spend much of our time nowadays. My own is usually over 300 items while my staff's is usually under 20. I thought about each of these as a monkey and then also thought back over all the one-on-one conversations I had had with each of them (7 people). In most cases, it was usually left that I would do something next, and that fits in perfectly with this book. True to the book and the tape, I spend countless hours to catch up, only to fall further behind.

The book is pretty good, but the tape is far superior. There are two tapes; the first one is a speech by Bill Oncken Jr, and he is just a fantastic story-teller. He really brings to life the story of the manager whose staff is all waiting on him, the stress he feels, and the revelation that hits him when he sees them golfing when he goes in on the weekend. Of course this is all written before the days of e-mail, but it still works. You can feel the energy in his voice rising as he turns his life around and puts all the monkeys back where they belong, and the final line where he gets the whole audience to shout "HOW'S IT GOING?!" to the new monkey-owner is a great ending.

The second tape is Ken Blanchard delivering the rest of the material, and while he's entertaining, it's not nearly as good as Oncken's "day-in-the-life" tale. He ties the material back to the One-Minute Manager, and touches on some psychological issues.

They also stress that this isn't just an exercise in delegating and taking work off the manager's hand, it is just as important as a developmental process for the subordinate.

As a side-note, it's interesting that there is no mention anywhere in the book of Spencer Johnson, the co-author of the original book The One Minute Manager, who invented the system. In all the author biographies and Thank-You's, he is never mentioned, I wonder if he and Blanchard had a parting of company. And the book itself makes almost no mention at all about what One-Minute Manager is all about, it seems just a way to put a popular title to a book about monkey management,
although I think this monkey manual is the better book. ... Read more

Book Description

Seize the Work Day describes using the Tablet PC to help the average office work-manager get control of his/her work day and become more productive. It paints a compelling picture of the Tablet PC as a very practical business tool, and assists the user in succeeding with the Tablet PC in such a setting. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

An original-- and exceptional-- book about the Tablet
This book sits right on the fence between a computer book and a personal productivity book, and excels at both. By far the most interesting computer book I've read in the last 5 years.

It doesn't just take a "point there, click here" approach to showing you how to perform specific acts, nor does it try to be a reference volume. Instead, Linenberger takes a more philosophical and theoretical approach to time management (drawing from sources that include Franklin Covey and David Allen) and shows you how to apply these best practices using the Tablet PC.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is how it demonstrates the tablet's ability to increase your productivity in meetings not just by taking excellent (and more useable) notes, but by allowing you to multitask and organize the data captured while it's being captured.

What a great book.

Seize the Work Day
This has been one of the most useful computer books that I have had the pleasure of reading. I was able to utilize a great many things from the book in my daily work. A mus buy!

Seize the Work Day - Excellent Guide
I just got my copy yesterday. Excellent book. I have already read almost half of it. Just couldn't put it down. Well written. A must for old and new Tablet Users. It has changed the way I do business.

Best Tablet resource out there....
If you really want to get more out of your Tablet, or are contemplating buying one and want to know how it can help you -- buy this book!

This is not just a click here, do that book, it is all about applying the Tablet PC to your daily work and changing your processes to be more efficient with this great new tool. Mr. Linenberger has lots of executive level experience, and it shows in his explanations of common challenges everyone faces in a day to day work setting.

Get this one -- you'll be glad you did.

This book is a MUST HAVE for any Tablet PC owner
I became interested in the Tablet PC after a recent trip to Las Vegas. The restaurant Aureole has their entire wine list on Tablet PCs. After that dinner, I decided to make the switch from my 17" Apple Powerbook G4, to a Toshiba Portege M200 (custom built with 1.7 Pentium, faster drive and built-in Bluetooth). That's right; I switched from a Mac to Tablet PC! I am very computer literate, so working with the Tablet PC came easy. I bought How to do everything with your Tablet PC and Tablet PC Quick Reference. They were fine, but not what I was looking for. Then I found your book, it was exactly what I was looking for. Not a beginner's how to, but an accurate look at how to use the Tablet PC as a true business tool. I thought I was organized before, but after reading your book, I am now more organized than I have ever been!

Thank you for writing a fantastic book. This book is a MUST HAVE, not just for a Tablet PC owner, but for any professional looking to increase productivity and improve their organizational skills. ... Read more

Book Description

In Getting Things Done, David Allen offered a breakthrough system to enhance productivity-at work and in daily life. Now "the guru of personal productivity" (Fast Company) asks readers what is holding them back and shows how they can be ready for anything-with a clear mind, a clear deck, and clear intentions.

Based on Allen's highly popular e-newsletter, Principles of Productivity, Ready for Anything offers fifty-two principles to clear your head, focus productively, create structures that work, and get in motion, including:
* stability on one level opens creativity on another
* you can't win a game you haven't defined
* the value of a future goal is the present change it fosters

With wit, motivational insights, and inspiring quotes, Ready for Anything shows readers how to make things happen with less effort, stress, and ineffectiveness, and lots more energy, creativity, and clarity. This is the perfect book for anyone wanting to work and live at their very best. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Packed with Knowledge!
Author David Allen lists 52 basic principles for productivity, including: write everything down, do the jobs that nag you, focus on the matter at hand and so on. As he notes, the principles are both simple to understand and difficult to implement. The book is essentially a collection of gleanings from the author's previous writings, so it does not present a systematic or unified approach to time and productivity management. However, Allen's straightforward tips are handy, if sometimes duplicative. The number 52 suggests that you might find one helpful tip to use each week in a one-year program of self-improvement and productivity management. In that case, repetition is probably a good thing, since bad habits tend to spring up again like weeds and require the same remedies often. The author is relentlessly upbeat, optimistic and witty, like a motivational speaker. That might be hard to read in a big chunk, but it is easy to digest if you spend a little time every week reading a recommendation and implementing it. We recommend this book to anyone who urgently needs help with time management and productivity.

Tune-up after Getting Things Done
While this is an outstanding book, I highly recommend his first work, Getting Things Done. Since this doesn't have a consistent narrative but is instead broken up into numerous tiny essays, it will be harder to get the maximum benefit from his approach to personal productivity from this alone.

Readers who "got" Getting Things Done don't need my advice on this one...they've already bought it I'm sure.

David Allen is probably the smartest personal productivity coach in print. I would buy Getting Things Done for every employee in my organization, and I would have copies of this one lying around to remind people and elaborate on some of the finer points.

Oh and I would like to add one point. I believe there is one thing missing from Mr. Allen's algorithm. That is finishing. I think his plan is outstanding for getting unstuck: figure out the next action, and do it without hesitation. But I don't find any attention paid to how to decide how many actions are "enough" for a desired outcome of a project.

You can always find some next action, and founder in what software engineers like myself call "permanent beta" or "feature creep." Yet external constraints are best not relied on exclusively for these decisions. It's best to volunteer a ruthless focus on the essence of your project's deliverable, isn't it?

So I would like Mr. Allen to write his next book about finishing projects, if he is able to develop insights into that stage as strong as his insights into the process of the middle stages.

A wonderful book. But why is it hard to read?
Mr. Allen's system is surprisingly simple - the realisation that we are monkeys; that keeping to do lists in our heads causes stress; get the list on paper and the stress goes away; we can do simple physical actions with ease. Use a paper filing system; the instruction to ask of each item in our In-tray 'what is the next physical action;' the instruction to deal with each item right now if it will take less than two minutes.

If Mr. Allen had merely described his system 1) you wouldn't believe it and 2) worse, you wouldn't 'just do it.' And JUST DOING IT does work, amazingly enough.

'Buy a label maker' - a surprisingly important part of Allen's system. That sounds nuts! Does he have shares in a label making company? Unlikely. Then Why? Remember the monkey approach. Simple physical tasks. Create files. Label them. Don't think. Do it. And then you look at the result. You have created it. You have invested in the system. You are that monkey.

And it works! A simple system that works!

As the Scots say, Mr. Allen is a very canny fellow.

I believe that Mr. Allen wrote his book so deliberately. He makes you invest in reading the book as he makes you invest in his system when you sit there printing labels for manila files.

It may be nuts but it is a very clever kind of nuts ;-).

David Allen understands how to get you going
This book made me take a new look at the clutter in my mind and life and helped me to create new goals and execute them. If you are stuck, this book will get you going. Read it and get Optimal Thinking-How to Be Your Best Self to learn how to overcome disturbing emotions without a therapist, bring your best self to every situation and achieve the best results. I can assure you with this combination, you will be ready for anything and optimize everything!

Invaluable! The ultimate book on getting things done
No, it's not one more planner, organizer, PDA or assistant that will rescue you from the chaos of your mind. It's David Allen.

He clearly leads the reader to understand the thinking behind the organizing, the process before the processing, that is required to maximize effectiveness and creativity. Once I grasped the underlying concepts and began to implement them , I got right to work with a clearer head and a more relaxed body. What immediate benefits!

Not only are David Allen's principles and insights invaluable, he writes in a style that demonstrates his love of language. So, two things in one when you buy this book--a good read and all you need to turn up your creativity and effectiveness.

As my company is called Optimize! Life Now, this book will be on my recommended reading list for my audiences and seminar participants. My coaching clients will definitely benefit from my having read this book and David's other, Getting Things Done. ... Read more

Book Description

For people who are overwhelmed by tasks of all sizes, this book provides the 21 most effective methods for conquering procrastination and accomplishing more. By identifying, then tackling, their biggest, most unpleasant task first — the philosophy of "eating a frog" — readers learn to plan and organize each day, set priorities, get started right away, and complete jobs faster. Written in a fast-moving format and breezy style, this book is immediately accessible and applicable for readers in any occupation. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

The Greatest Student of Success is Brian Tracy!
I've been listening to Brian Tracy audio cassette programs since the mid-1980's and have always been impressed with his committment to research and the high-quality of advice. He has always been a prolific producer of self-improvement materials without the hype of a Tony Robbins. In "Eat the Frog" Brian chunks down and simplifies the time management process into 21 easy and clear steps with action steps at the end. This book may be the best book for many people who want to accomplish goals and manage their life. I think every company should buy copies of this book and give them to their representatives especially if they need something to read for air travel. You can get the gist of it in a day, but use it for a lifetime. I know that Brian could have written a 300 page book if he wanted to, but this one is handy, simple, and profound. For me personally, I'd like to see a second edition of the book with some diagrams, cartoons, and pictures. That would make this book a little more interesting and fun.

I loved this book! It's changing my entire way of life!
Thanks, Mr. Tracy, for this inspriational book. It's a quick read full of no-nonsense tips. Although its advice isn't really new to me (prioritize; set goals; make A-B-C-D-E lists; etc.), somehow Tracy's presentation and style got through to inspiring me. I am getting so much more done--things that are important to my meeting my goals. Finally! I've told a lot of people about this book, and have passed it on to friends and colleagues. We all talk about our "ugly frogs" now, and I actually look forward every day to "eating" the ugliest, biggest frog, instead of piddling my time away on unimportant tasks. This book was just what I needed, and a good investment. I highly recommend it, and can't imagine needing to read another book on procrastination. I wish I had read it years ago. A great idea: why not give this as a gift to your favorite high-school or college student? "Eat That Frog" cured me! It's not too late for you, either!

Packed with a lot of Tracy-isms
Please don't judge this book by it's size. Keep in mind that some of the all time best books were small; As A Man Thinketh, The Richest Man in Bablyon, Acres of Diamonds and more. If you are looking or were expecting one of Brian Tracy's huge 300 page books, you'll be dissappointed. But if you are looking for some nuggets of powerful information, you'll be very satisfied.

Brian is excellent.

21 rules to overcome procrastination
I really can understand the 1 star reviews. Brian Tracy is such a talented author and trainer that it seems like a waste to read a book by him, especially after you have those 300+ page books that he puts out. You have to understand what Brian is trying to do here. This was intended to be a fast read, to give you 21 powerful techniques to overcome procrastination and achieve success. In that light, Brian has succeeded admirably with this work. Highly recommended.

Not deep, but useful, focused and on target, You need it!
This book isn't a new take on time management or efficiency. Instead, Brian Tracy, a man who's own success speaks pretty loudly, takes some of the best wisdom out there on the topic and puts it in a compelling form. This is important beacuse time management is about more than having the right information - it's about putting that information into action. Tracy puts the same message of prioitization and focus in front of you in a form that challenges you to take action. Highly reccomended, but you have to be willing to use this book, not just read it! ... Read more

Book Description

All the simple and easy innovative methods you will ever need to know to END recurring, chronic disorganization forever. This book challenges 60 years of conventional organizing wisdom and makes it possible for anyone to achieve long-lasting organizing results, reach high productivity, lower stress, and have fun doing it! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Conquering Chronic Disorganization
This was an interesting and informative book. It was easy to read, and gave lots of visual examples of how different people organize differently.

Worth reading!
With low expectations, I checked this book out from my library. I have read extensively on organization. This book is very worthwhile. I ended up buying it.
It had suggestions for organization that no other book has ever touched on.
The most useful suggestion was to decide how much of "one thing" it is reasonable to keep. For example, is half the garage full of empty boxes--- too many? For most people, yes. Then you go to what is the best amount to keep--- for you. Also if you assess your space, you might revise how much is reasonable and so on. Smart.

If you've tried everything else, try this book.
I've been chronically disorganized for my whole life. Clutter just seems to perpetuate like a cloud of dust everywhere I go. I've tried filing systems, organizational tools, but nothing worked. Until now.

After reading this book, which describes several case studies of chronically disorganized people, I discovered how to live with my chronic disorganization. I implemented a couple of novel ideas, and already crystals of organization are forming in my life, for the first time.

Particularly helpful to me was the section on time management: Datebooks never worked for me. I now use the "Panel System" described in this book, which is so far, so good. I also liked the 'Paper Police', how manage out-of-control collections of things, alternate filing systems, and how to attack severely disorganized areas in different ways.

The chronic aspect to this book is comforting as it describes me so well. So often organization efforts dwindle and die. Since filing daily is impossible for me, I now have several cubbies on the wall into which I throw papers and receipts (my version of the 'vertical filing' discussed in the book).

If you just cannot keep your home or office organized, much to the frustration of yourself and others, this book may have insight that will help you. It sure helped me!

great book, but it got lost in my mess!
I thought this was a wonderful book. Unfortunately, you really need a coach to get with the program - my copy is now mired in the mess of my bookcase and papers.

If you really need this book, then do yourself a favor and hire a professional organizer for a couple of sessions to get you going.

Disorganized and Frustrated? You MUST buy this book.
I have purchased dozens of self-help books on clutter, disorganization, cleaning, and organizing. Unfortunately, I can not find most of them...because of the ongoing difficulty I have with "stuff." This book was meant for people like me, people with good intentions of "someday" having everything in its place so we don't spend an hour trying to find a past due bill, a late library book or coming across an invitation to a party held yesterday. Incredible frustrating is how I would describe my dilemma with "stuff." One bedroom is totally filled with overflow from other rooms in the house (my current method of "cleaning"). It holds(self-improvement)books, clothes, papers, bills, pictures, (self-improvement)tapes, boxes, files, baskets, cabinets, the list goes on and on. This book, unlike ALL the other ones I have purchased in the past, finally helped me visualize solutions - NOT conventional solutions but ideas which are helping me solve the chaos and confusion which reins in my home (and sometimes office). Read this book several times, try and re-try some of the suggestions, there is no one-solution-fixes-all recipe. But finally, finally, I have come across a book that spoke directly to me about these frustrating issues in my life that I thought were unique to me. I didn't get into this mess overnight and I know I won't clean it up overnight, but I now have more hope and light at the end of the clutter tunnel. ... Read more

Book Description

Unrelenting e-mail. Conflicting commitments. Endless interruptions. In Take Back Your Life!, productivity expert Sally McGhee shows you how to take control and reclaim something you thought you’d lost forever—your work-life balance. Now you can benefit from Sally ’s popular and highly regarded corporate education programs, learning simple but powerful techniques for rebalancing your personal and professional commitments using the productivity features in Microsoft® Outlook®.Learn the proven methods that will empower you to:

Clear away distractions and loose ends and focus on what’s really important to you and your business.

Take charge of your productivity using techniques and processes designed by McGhee Productivity Solutions and implemented in numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Customize and exploit the productivity features in Microsoft Outlook to help you create balance at home and on the job.When you change your approach, you can change your results. So learn what thousands of Sally’s clients worldwide have discovered about taking control of their everyday productivity—and start transforming your own life today!Note: Take Back Your Life covers Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, Outlook Version 2002, and Outlook 2000. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What are the most important things in your life? Do they get as much care, emphasis, and time as you'd like to give them? Far from the traditional "be-more-efficient" time-management book with shortcut techniques, First Things First shows you how to look at your use of time totally differently.Using this book will help you create balance between your personal and professional responsibilities by putting first things first and acting on them. Covey teaches an organizing process that helps you categorize tasks so you focus on what is important, not merely what is urgent. First you divide tasks into these quadrants:

1. Important and Urgent (crises, deadline-driven projects)
2. Important, Not Urgent (preparation, prevention, planning, relationships)
3. Urgent, Not Important (interruptions, many pressing matters)
4. Not Urgent, Not Important (trivia, time wasters)

Most people spend most of their time in quadrants 1 and 3, while quadrant 2 is where quality happens. "Doing more things faster is no substitute for doing the right things," says Covey. He points you toward the real human needs--"to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy"--and how to balance your time to achieve a meaningful life, not just get things done. --Joan Price ... Read more

Reviews (51)

An unexpected life-changer
I have to get a couple of things out of the way right now to make you understand why this book has been so important to me (and could be to you as well). First, I am definitely someone who shuns most self-help tomes--I think most of them are crutches for weak people too lazy to get their acts together or too clueless to embrace a little common sense. Second, my prior experiences with the Covey cult were less than satisfying, as I had a boss (now departed) who talked the Covey talk but did not (I now see) truly walk the walk. This book differs from the _7 Habits_ texts in that it really deals with taking the general Covey concepts ("principle-centered living") and giving them a practical sheen--in this case by applying them to time management. Learning to divide my activities between "urgent" and "important," planning my life around certain "roles" that I have to fill, and composing a "mission statement" (a much more realistic and helpful version of year 2000 New Year's resolutions for me)--these were the concepts that have really helped me organize my life as efficiently as possible (and I was already pretty organized). I highly recommend buying the book and then following up by getting a Franklin Covey planner, where you can take the lessons from the book and start building your time and life around them. I have loaned the book to several friends and students (I teach high school) and all of them have benefitted from it in some way or another. Buying _First Things First_ will be one of the best things you can do for yourself.

And I can't believe I just wrote a positive review of a self-help book. Trust me on how helpful this book can be.

I JUST CAN SAY "WHAT A BOOK"
First, let me say that i'm a mexican citizen so please do not be so hard about my english, any way i'll try to do my best. i like to be an honest human being, so about "FIRST THINGS FIRST" it was a gift i got from a friend in San Antonio tx., and even knowing that i have not ended the book yet because my job, in the first chapters i had readed i have found many ideas to increase my succes as well as my productivity in the office, but the most important thing i have found is the real meaning of the word "share" and this is because i'm starting to learn that i do have to have time for my family as well as for my profession i do not know whats going to happen when i finish of read this "CLEVER WAY TO SHARE THE MEANING OF LIFE" but i'm sure that at the end there is only going to be one word to "STEPHEN R. COVEY"............THANKS A LOT ARTURO ARMENTA V.

If you've read '7 Habits' you don't need to read this
While the information in this book is still relevant and helpful, it's basically a rehash of much of the information covered in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Some of the ideas about mission statements and priorites are discussed more thoroughly and there is more specific information on time management like handling the "big rocks" in your week, but overall it seemed like a review. If you haven't read '7 Habits,' then it's a very useful approach to time management and setting the priorities in you life.

Another great book by Dr. Covey
This book makes a great addition to The 7 Habits. First Things First is as the title indicates a book about time management. But more than that, about people management. It's about social skills and so much more.

Whether you like Covey or not, this book will impact your life. A highly recommended book to succeed in the new millenium.

Inspiritional and practical
USA Today said that Stephen Covey is the hottest self-improvement consultant to hit U.S. business since Dale Carnegie and I agree. Covey is the best.

In First Things First, Covey discloses powerful time management techniques. What makes this book different from typical time management books and programs is that Covey shows you how to see the whole picture rather than tiny fragments of our lives.

Before reading and applying the techniques in First Things First, I would always lament

"I have too much to do---and not enough time to do it."
"I can't balance my personal life with my business life."
"There is too little of me and too much to do."
"I don't feel in controlof my life."
"Why do I feel so empty all the time."

What you won't find in this book is another daytimer program or another clock. Covey explains why it is more important to know where you are heading instead of how fast you are going. You won't find the old theory of working harder, faster, smarter and more, more, more. It's about effectiveness, not efficiency. And most importantly, it really works.

Thank you Dr. Covey! ... Read more

Reviews (32)

The Foundation of Time Management
Mr. Lakein's book provides the foundational premise for anyone to locate their true purpose as well as the method in which to achieve what they desire. I've been reading books for many years on how to manage time and finally found the one all the others had taken concepts from and tried to improvise and improve upon, but they just managed to make it more difficult. This is the one to read if you desire to gain control of your life and define what you want to do with your time.

Great read, and down to the point.
This book was my first time management book. I've picked up "The Time Trap" by Alec Mackenzie after this reading, and in comparison, this book is much more thorough. The best part about this book I think is the simple idea of prioritizing your to do list. I have started to do this and found myself to be able to get more important things done. It also helps greatly with your concentration for the current task by stating to yourself that this is the most important task to do at the moment. Anyhow, great time management book for newbies.

Still using these principles 22 years later!
I first read Alan Lakein's book in 1982. I picked it up 10 years later and was amazed to see how many of the principles had become so much a part of my life I. I was living the book and hadn't even realized it until I picked it up again.

One of my favorite principles is to start working on something that's important to you, even if it's 15 minutes at a time. I've done this. Scheduled something I didn't think I had time to do for 15 minutes a week. I certainly could do that. Well, when it's something that I really want, I find the momentum builds and I end up finding the time to do what I need and being really happy that I did.

This book has helped me get in touch with what's really important to me and has helped me live a life I truly value.

Thank you Alan Lakein!!

Plan & priortize.
This book heavily emphasizes planning and prioritizing and also offers tips on how to stave off procrastination. There are a few anecdotes about business managers and housewives that, for me, just fill pages, but overall, this is a clearly-written, useful book that offers effective techniques.

Thumbs up
Good because Lakein makes accommodation for human nature, and works with it and around it, vs. some such books that assume everyone has the self-discipline of a navy seal. He helps procrastinators and the lazy, as well as those who aren't these things but want to improve. ... Read more

Book Description

Maintaining control in today's hectic workplace is a challenge -- everything is lean, competitive, and uncertain. What does it take to survive?

Making Work Work is Julie Morgenstern's most important book yet. Through the mastery of brand-new strategies, Morgenstern shows you how small changes in your thinking and behavior will help you achieve the seemingly impossible -- boost your value, increase your job security, and afford you the time to still have a life.

Morgenstern has helped clients of all levels take control of their work lives in every industry: from corporations and nonprofits to government agencies and small businesses; from executives and assistants to educators and salespeople. She's learned that no matter who you are, happiness at work involves feeling appreciated, in control, successful, and in balance. And achieving that is possible.

People rarely look at their jobs from a psychological and practical perspective at the same time, but Julie Morgenstern does. This book mirrors the individual consulting services she provides by showing you how to start with yourself and then tackle the more complex external issues of working relationships and the job. For every obstacle you encounter along the way, Morgenstern diagnoses the source of the problem (is it you or them?), and with insight and warmth, she provides simple grab-and-go strategies. These are small changes anyone can make to improve performance and efficiency at work.

At its core, Making Work Work is about your relationship to your job. With the reliable, methodical process taught in this book, you will:

• feel less trapped and more in charge • be able to make a bad situation better • search for a job that's a better fit for who you are.

This is a provocative and life-changing book that will help you boost your clarity, confidence, and performance in any economic climate. With Morgenstern's guidance you can find a way to make work work. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Helpful Ideas for Adults -- not kids
THE TIME TRAP

I would recommend this book to anyone who works for a business company that has even a little management trouble. This book teaches you how to manage your time, avoid time consuming problems, keep organized, and much more. It tells you the top twenty biggest time wasters like drop-in-visitors, pointless meetings, and telephone calls. It teaches you how to solve these and many other problems that may not be as common as the twenty-magor wasters. This book is the newer addition of the best seller The Time Trap that came out in 1972. This one tells you better ways to solve problems and new problems that can be solved. This is the best time management book out still from when it came out in the 90's.

I read this book in seventh grade just to read a book and so I would not recommend this book to any of the seventh graders because they would probably think it was lame and pointless.

The Time Trap - Time Waster Eradication
The Time Trap by Alec MacKenzie is the single best "to-the-point" book I've found on time management. I have re-read the book at least 4 times from cover to cover since the early 80's and have found the advice to be excellent. Each time I re-read the book I find that I am able to accomplish at least a 100% improvement in my time management techniques. I always discover some new tricks which are proven out by my experiences during the time span between readings. It is absolutely amazing how successful his techniques are in application. Through the use of this book I was promoted to a Production Manager position at a music publishing company and dealt with over 2500 new publications a year in addition to keeping a 7500 title catalog of products in print (we averaged approximately 35+ print jobs received each day of the week). I placed orders and maintained production schedules with over 35 different outside printer-suppliers and didn't even have a secretary. I owe ALL of my production management success to this book. I double dirty-dog dare you to read it!

Larry Norred

Good, but seems to stress technics for manager or higher
Good book but alot of the technics and examples seems to be for managers or higher. I'm just a regular salary guy that is trying to optimize my time at home and work. I am not a manager that have 10 people under me. So I found it hard to relate sometimes. But it does have some sound general time management advice.

This book could probably be titled, "Time Trap for Managers."

I would recommend "How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life" by Alan Lakein for a starter time management book. And probably all you need too.

time to rethink about time
This book has helped me organize and keep track of time. It has changed my perpective on time. I always though I managed time in a reasonable manner, but this book has told me other wise. It's very helpful, but not for you little sister. Younger children findi t boring because they really don't need to manage their time. I do recomend it for the working adult, it has worked wonders with my father.

Very practical and effective advice.
Draws from Alan Lakein's book on managing time, but contains some very good practical methods to help you identify where you waste your time and how to keep on track doing your top priorities. Also contains some simple and effective advice for dealing with interruptions as well. Well worth reading. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Life Saver!!!
Since I discovered the Sidetracked Sisters in 1988 I've graduated 3 daughters from highschool, 2 from college and one from medical school. I've given 4 weddings, three of them in cities in which I did not live. I've moved seven times, attended 3 graduate schools, completed a Master's degree and started a Ph.D. I've managed to stay married to the same neatnic for 36 years and now have four beautiful grandchildren. If it were not for Pam and Peggy, I couldn't have survived (literally) one day beyond the day I first picked up this book. The card file grounded me and kept me going on days I feared either flying of the face of the earth or gettly buried in the clutter. By sharing the book with my own sister, we have kept reminding each other to "get back to the box" during times we were less than diligent. The principles shared by the authors are excellent management skills which I employed in my private practice as a counselor and have taught to clients suffering from conditions such as ADHD as well as to parents overwhelmed by what life's pressures are handing them. I've also used the "Happiness File" for years, I reread it every year in January, setting new priorities for the year and reviewing my accomplishments from the previous year. The book is an easy read and funny. Perhaps the greatest testimony to the efficacy of the system is that my pediatrician daughter and busy mother of one of my beautiful granddaughters has asked for a copy recently stating, "I didn't think I'd ever say this but I've got to find a better way to manage all I've got to do and it's worked pretty well for you."

Changed my life!
I found the system in the book to be very helpful. The system is great. It may not be for everyone though. I found that I had all the great intentions in the world to get things done.But I always seemed to never finish a task.I would start another before I was done with the first.I was the side-tracked queen. The system does not just affect your housework. It helps build habits that you always wanted to do but just never got there. My husband is very happy that I use the system. Especially if you don't have hours in a row. If you work, have kids,and go to school too this system helps organize and prioritize.You don't have to do it all yourself. You can delegate certain tasks to family and then enjoy the rest of the time together. It helps get all your bases covered, and realize what needs done, how often and how long things truly take. I found that I had lots of time to clean but everything seemed overwhelming. There are many more things I can say about the system, but it would be too long. I believe that there are many people who would find this to be a great way to simplify their housework and make it almost enjoyable. :)

Newbie to the program, but it is working...!
I am a smart successful woman, but somehow could never "keep house" like my mom did, and her mom, and of course my sister in law (are sister in law's ALWAYS perfect, or is it just mine??!!)...This book helped me to organize the things that I needed to do on a regular basis in order for my house to look nice, and to be clean...It is funny, but I have been doing it for about two weeks, and I definitely find myself getting into better habits - picking up, wiping down, etc...Definitely not things that the OLD me would have done! Since I started I am happier and more relaxed in my home, and I can entertain friends without a frenzy of cleaning in the 30 minutes before they arrive! I even fired my cleaning lady (who only comes every two weeks, so she had not seen "the new me house")...Anyway, if you crave a system that allows you to do small tasks regularly and prevents MASSIVE cleaning needs that seem overwhelming, this is it! Enjoy!

Get Organized For Life!
I have been using the techniques in this book since 1990, and just love it! Definately a worth while read. You won't EVER regret buying this book, and taking the time to put what they say into practice!

Not what I'd expected
I was not very impressed with this book. While the stories told are interesting, I didn't find as much from this book to help me as I'd expected. I got a lot more from Marla Cilley's book "Sink Reflections". ... Read more

Book Description

Why do Americans' vacations range from "none" to "not much" when other industrialized nations mandate breaks of four to six weeks or more? More importantly, what can you do about it? The founder of the Work to Live Campaign strives to set all Americans on the path towards a happy, healthy balance between work and life-and in this lively book, he offers tips on...

€ Breaking out of the burnout trap
€ Increasing vacation time (it can be done!)
€ Working fewer hours
€ Dumping that work guilt
€ and Getting a Life! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Read this book!
I decided last year that I would like to learn the Spanish language. Like many such wishes, this one has fallen victim to a lack of time... But now there is a wonderful motivational book on making time for such things -- and for our families and communities. Joe Robinson's "Work to Live: The Guide to Getting a Life" ... pulls out all the stops, from the stories to the numbers, in making the case for less work and more time, tells us how to do this personally, and ends with a roadmap for achieving legislation making a few weeks of vacation each year a right. Much of the writing is very funny, and some of the stories of folks who 'saved' their vacations for periods of years only to lose them in a corporate takeover, or due to ill health, are heartwrenching. My favorite stories involved those courageous souls who did go to the boss and ask for some time off, either in the form of a reduced workweek or for that most unAmerican of events, the month-long vacation. These stories are inspiring; indeed, I now have Joe's suggested list of "things I'm going to do before it's all over" on the refrigerator (and, yes, it starts with "learn Spanish" :-). Great stuff, and many thanks to Joe for writing the book! See the ...worktolive...web site for more.

Work to Live
Take time off work and read this book. It will change your life!

Work to Live Works
At a time when the relentless drive of the corporate profite-imperative has swept up so many of us in a mindless labor habitrail-whose only reward seems to be more and faster-paced work-Joe Robinson has done some hard thinking and insightful research and come up with a number of unique solutions to help us break the dysfunctional employer-worker relationship that's quickly eroding life in this country. (If you're the type who blames MTV and other red herrings on societal woes, stop and think how much time away from family mothers and fathers are forced to spend these days just to hang on to their paychecks.) It's interesting to me that an author calling for basic rights in the workplace-things that labor unions supposedly won for the work force decades ago-can be viewed in some quarters as an extremist. I've read some of the reviews that equate Robinson's ideas with socialism or that accuse him of somehow being oposed to "the American way." This is knee-jerk reaction at its worst: "Robinson wants fairness so be must be socialist!" "Robinson enjoys vacations so he must hate work!" Granted, debate in this country has become dangerously polarized, Still, it's depressing to see how easily people can twist nuanced, reasoned argument into black and white polemic. I can't say I agree with everything Robinson says in this book, but I do recognize much of what he describes in the fact that I work harder than my father ever did, with far less time off, and probably a slightly lower overall quality of life. I certainly live in a smaller house and spend less time with my family than he did. Americans are fond of believing we have "the highest standard of living in the world." Guess what? We don't, even though we now work more and have less time off than even the famously workaholic Japanese. Check the health stats-this country's human machines are breaking down. And if you think our current obesity problem is simply a lack of self-control and an insidious fast-food industry, ask yourself when the last time you said, "I'd love to get in shape, jog every night after work, but I just don't have the time." That's the point. Fewer and fewer of us have the time any more to take care of our basic human needs for mental and physical and spiritual rest and improvement. Robinson doesn't want a life of vacation. He doesn't advocate the end of capitalism. He just wants us to fix the machine, so we can improve our lives, keep our economy strong before our own ignorance and insatiable demands for more, more, more break it down completely. This is an important book, a step toward a more prosperous and fulfilling United States.

Work to Live
This is a fabulous, must read book that shows what you can do to make changes in your own life so that you've actually got one. "Work To Live" offers specific ways to create hope and freedom for dazed,confused and burnt out Americans. Highly recommended.

Rather work than Hunt
Whatever happened to personal responsibility and self-determination? The reason people work so much is because they feel that it is a means to satisfy their wants. In a voluntary society, people exchange their resources because they see themselves better off afterward. I have a socialist friend that says he is a slave because he has to work. I fail to see how working in America is harder than trying to "live off the land." We have the highest standard of living in the world because we've earned it. I will continue to work and enjoy the fruits of my labor. I want the freedom to be able to work overtime if I need more money. I don't want the government limiting the amount of work that I'm "allowed" to do. This is my life and your life is yours. Make your own choices and decisions, and take responsibility for the results. Peace Out ... Read more

Book Description

The Focus workshop presents an engaging and inspirational learning experience and will change your life in ways you never thought possible.

With this audiobook, you will begin a process and journey to a new way of thinking about personal and professional focus and accomplishment. You'll learn how to identify -- and focus -- on the tasks and priorities that matter most so that you can deliver maximum results every day.

You'll learn to turn the things you have to do into the things you want to do. Dr. Covey and master facilitator Steve Jones introduce you to the FranklinCovey workshop that has already helped 10 million people become more productive.

With this audiobook, you'll also receive these valuable tools from FranklinCovey:

• A handy job-aid on Keeping Your Focus, designed to carry with you to remind you how to stay focused and achieve results
• A Resource CD-ROM packed with great tools such as teaching wizards to help you identify your values and mission and how to set goals
• A free 30-day trial of FranklinCovey's PlanPlus™ for Microsoft® Outlook®
• A screensaver of 200+inspirational quotes

Reviews (4)

Great Overview of Franklin Covey Principles
During my initial first few minutes of listening I realized that Stephen Covey wasn't the main speaker on this tape (he narrates some sections). Suddenly I thought maybe the quality would be mediocre. That this would be some cranked out product just to make a buck. I was wrong. I listened to all 3 CD's (the 4th is a computer demo) and enjoyed the presentation highly.

Steve Jones is the person who gives presentation. I believe it is a recorded live process. What I liked about this alot is it covered all of the Franklin Covey time management principles in a very focussed manner (hence the title...??).

This CD series serves as an excellent refresher or introduction to the principles of managing your time. They introduce the time quadrants and explain in pretty good detail how to use paper, PDA or computer planners to manage your time. The sessions never bog down in any one area and they move from topic to topic at just about the right pace.

Obviously this CD set has some ties to the services and courses offered by Franklin Covey. They'd love it if you registered for the full course or bought a $200 planner/binder. However the course on tape/CD will standalone quite well. The speaker is clear and has a good delivery. I enjoyed this and found the time passed quickly (which doesn't always happen) as I was listening. Buy this - you won't be sorry!

Who Said This AUDIO CD is No Good?
I think this set of CD with CD-Rom is a good deal. Covey is also in the audio program, with both other Frankin Covey's associates inside as well.

This program updated Frankin Covey's previous What Matters Most program, and has added a lot of additional perspectives on integrating PDA, Window Outlook, and Paper-based planning tools.

This program has its value. The previous 2 comments in this customer review have not provided a fair, in-depth look at this new program. I almost missed buying/owning this new, interesting CD set, if I had totally bought into the last two comments, which could be quite one-sided--biased!

Some new, Some old
While initiallly rehashing Covey's four quadrants theory, the book lays the groundwork for setting priorities. People who do not have time to take the Focus On Priorites course will gain insight into Covey's methodology of setting goals and priorities. While not as inspiring as other works, it still was a good help (but not great)...

Reputation Damaged
This is basically a rehash, in some cases, word for word of a Hyrum Smith audio "Managing Personal Change" The audio is not done by Dr. Covey, it's done by another individual who's not very entertaining, it seems memorized.

I've long admired and respected everything else from Dr. Covey and this "rendition" shocks me. A repackaging of old stuff, uninspiring. I feel cheated. ... Read more

Book Description

A new approach to time management focusing on how highly successful people get their work done without sacrificing the life they live.

This entertaining volume has what no other time management book has: insights on how to manage time from high achievers such as Malcolm Forbes, Jr., Ted Turner, Sandra Day, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, and Home Depot CEO Bernie Marcus. Dr. B. Eugene Griessman has interviewed hundreds of contemporary peak performers (and researched dozens of historical high achievers) to unearth the secrets of their success. He presents their time management tactics in short "Bites" designed to inspire today's time-starved reader­­whether they're over worked managers, working moms, entrepreneurs on the go, or even newly unemployed people who must suddenly learn to structure their own time.

Reviews (13)

This book could save your life!
If you are a manager,excutive or a business owner the techniques in book can save your life.It puts in perspective the cost of being time efficent and simply techniques on how to get there.Although Griessman takes a serious look at time management problems and the solutions,it is a quick and enjoyable read.Its well written with an excellant content page so you can get right work.This book will pay for its self-IMMEDIATELY.You may wish order two, one for the office and one for home.

Buy This Book!
Not only is this book about time management, if you follow its suggestions, you'll find it makes your whole life easier. I plan on buying this even though it's available at the library. This is a book I will re-read often. The ideas about "being there" are useful, not only that, they are indispensible for achieving results.

Highly useful! A good reminder of easy tools to save time
Unlike most time management books going from chapter to chapter that lead readers to plan, set and prioritize their personal goals, treating time management problems essentially as life management problems, this book consists of 15 chapters of 96 short essays or tactics that you can easily apply to our daily lives. What a pity that Amazon does not post sample pages as it usually does which includes the Content pages so you can easily understand what kind of book this is, I take the pleasure to do it for you and hope it will help you grasp what the book tells.

Ch 1 Get a Handle on Your Time
The Myth of Free time
Give yourself a raise
Bill Yourself: A tactic that professionals use to become more efficient

Ch 2 Get Organized
Set your priorities
Write down your goals
Apply the 80/20 rule
Create a to do list that works and work your list

Ch 3 Increase your efficiency
Ch 4 Shortcuts
Ch 5 Find hidden time
Ch 6 Learn to focus
Ch 7 Pace Yourself
Ch 8 Avoid Procrastination
Ch 9 Avoid time wasting activities
Ch 10 Dont let others waste your time
Ch 11 Enlist others to save your time
Ch 12 Invest time to save time
Ch 13 Plan ahead
Ch 14 Use Technology that works
Ch 15 Balancing Work, family and social life

In short, this is a very useful and well written book (with abundant interesting and productive advice/examples of famous people and gurus) that one should buy and read at least twice a month as a cool reminder of one's own time management. Highly recommended!

p.s. Below please find some of the quotes I like the most:-

You may not be able to control the situation but you can always control your reaction. pg 64
Dont be penny-wise and hours-foolish pg98
TIP: To Insure Promptness (in advance) pg128
If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six hours sharpening an axe. Abraham Lincoln pg150
Measure twice so you have to cut only once. pg157
A stitch in time saves nine. pg166

Hold on tight to this book, you low-raters! You'll thank me
I've had this book for many years, probably since 1995 or 96. When I first read it, I would have given it a decent, but not overwhelming review - it seemed obvious and basic. But having lived, suffered (like all humanity!), and thought for the last decade, after re-reading it, let me tell you - it is simply a book of genius. And its genius IS in its simplicity and its completeness. You cannot do better than this in this field. That's the good news. The bad news is you cannot appreciate how good it is until you've lived a little, thought a lot, and have some of the other tripe that's out there to compare it to. And to think I almost gave it away after that first reading! Save it, you who don't like it now, read it again in 5-10 years, if you're lucky enough to be around. Godspeed!

Good snippets of information; not coherent enough
While this book has many bits and pieces of good advice, it certain, as another review puts it "not the holy grail of time management books". When reading time management books, don't expect magic formulas that will ameliorate everything. Remeber, you have to do the hard work. One thing I found helpful is to always carry an agenda and to look at it before I lift a finger. ... Read more

Book Description

Want to get things done faster so you can accomplish more of your long-term goals?Okay.We'd all like that to happen.But the question we finally have to ask is "How can I do that - get more things done in less time?

This book is loaded with ideas.Now, don't expect smoke and mirrors here.And don't look to magically pull a few extra hours for your day out of thin air.Nope, there's no magic formula.But, between the front and back covers of thei book you'll find 175 really really good suggestions that will help you get things done faster ... and usually better.

Before you know it, you're back in control - actually achieving those goals you've set for yourself. ...