My first review venture is Regina Leed's, One Year to An Organized Life. My sister-in-law gave it to me for my birthday last year and we have been reading it together.
Regina Leeds is a professional organizer from Los Angeles area. She lays out an unique monthly and weekly plan to help the reader develop routines and break down tasks so that the organization of one's life is not so overwhelming.
There are very few areas left untouched by the habits and methods taught in this book. Regina works through questions and journal writing to help the reader get to the core of why you do things the way your do. She systematically lays out an organization plan to help you see what you are doing that works well, discover where and why things are not working, and assist you in organizing more in line with what helps you function best.
The sections of the book are broken down by month and each month is divided into four weeks of chapters. Each month's reading included some reflection or examination questions, ideas of how to organize or develop routines, and an assignment with a project that deals directly with the area being worked on that month.
This book is enjoyable to read. There is a lot of ideas to learn and implement. The projects can be big or little depending on your current situation and the area. Regina gives you much to think about as she encourages you to address some deeper reasons to why your organization is the way it is. If you read the book cover to cover it can be very overwhelming. I have chosen to approach this book like a class. Each week I read the appropriate chapter and do the assignment whether it is the journal questions, a quick purge, or a massive organization.
My sister-in-law and I have been working through the book for almost nine months now. Doing it together has helped keep me on track and we have been able to help each other with a project or two. As a mom with young children I found some of the project assignments very challenging and overwhelming. Time does not always allow me to stop everything for a complete day in order to focus on an effective overhaul of an area. However, there has always been some aspect of the assigned project I have been able to accomplish. Any step forward, no matter how big or small, is good.
I recommend One Year to an Organized Life to most anyone looking to make changes in their organization. As for myself, this book is going on my bookshelf for future reference when I am done with it, and I am sure I will be rereading and revisiting aspects of it for years to come.
