Organizing From The Inside Out~A Review

This review is long over due.  Organizing From The Inside out is a classic organizing book and it has become a bible for many.  I am going to give you my perspective as someone who is seeking organizing advice.

First of all this book is substantial in size.  While this can be daunting, it contains a ton of information for $15 (current price listed on my copy of the book.)

The book starts out with instructions on HOW and WHY to get organized.  It discusses theory and techniques.  This great to give you a base of organizing knowledge that you will draw upon when you go through the areas discussed in the rest of the book.

This book makes you think about your personal circumstances and not only how to move forward, but how you got to where you are now.  Recognizing the issues that led you to live a disorganized life is just as, if not more important than, getting organized going forward.  If you don’t stop and think about these issues that have occurred in the past, you are doomed to repeat them in the future.

The book then goes into every area of your home specifically.  Each area is discussed in depth. For each area of the home addresses, Julie goes through a series of questions for you to ask yourself.  Some of these questions include:

What items are most essential to you?

What’s Working?

What’s Not Working?

Although the book is not a workbook, it will force you to look at your own rooms, organizational habits and possessions and after the reading just one chapter you can’t help but want to start purging.

Organizational areas included in the book are:

Briefcases and handbags (I love this one in particular as they are always over looked in organizing books.)

Bathrooms

Closets

Suitcases (Another topic that is often over looked.  I personally got some great tips from this section.)

Home Offices and Filing Systems

Home Bases Businesses

Cubicle Workstations (Impress your boss.)

Mobile Offices

Attics, basements and garages

Home Information Centers (You know, that place in your kitchen where all the papers live.)

Bathrooms

Bedrooms

Kids’ Rooms

Kitchens

Living Rooms

Photographs (Even digital organization is discussed!)

The last part of the book talks about how to organize your time.  This is one of the most difficult tasks for Americans as we always have something to do and something to distract us.  Even if you have an organized home, this section will be valuable to you.

Finally the book has some worksheets to help you get organized, suggested resources and suggested further reads.  Its well worth your time and well worth the purchase price.

Organizing From The Inside Out is sold on Amazon.com among other locations.