Absolutely Organized: Moms Guide to a No-Stress Schedule and Clutter-Free Home

by Debbie Lillard

Do you run non-stop but never feel like you accomplish anything? Feel stressed out at home? Dream about doing things that you never get around to doing? Wish you had extra hours in your day? Well,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581809557
• ISBN13: 9781581809558
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Northlight
• Length: 191 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Three Cheers for ABSOLUTELY ORGANIZED

As a mother of 4 small children, ages 4, 4, 2, and 1, organization is essential for survival! I was immediately drawn to this book and I was delighted to read it. The book was well-written, easy to read, and had several "Laugh Out Loud" excerpts in which I found myself totally relating. The CPR method for organization is universal and can be applied to so many facets of running a household. This book was very motivational and I began making lists of what I wanted to accomplish as I read through each chapter. I found the charts and tables extremely helpful, especially the section on "how long to keep all those statements". I have already sat down with my paper shredder and this book to purge my filing cabinet. I totally agree with the author's philosophy that organization is liberating and yet I appreciate her viewpoint that flexibility needs to be maintained as well. A great Pep Talk on how to manage your family, your house, and still have fun!!!

Do yourself a favor, get this book!

A really good book. This book offers practical, actionable, easily implemented everyday things that make your life run smoother. After reading the first chapter, I started using some of the suggestions. They are practical and on the mark. The first thing I did was buy a daily day planner. I was working with a monthly planner for school activities and appointments. With the new planner, as suggested in the book, I planned my week by the hour and included meal ideas. ( When I plan a week's worth of meals, it also gives me a clear shopping list!) It's like a new world opened up to me. While scheduling my days by the hour, I realized that I'm much busier than I thought, but still found slower sections of the day. (As a mom, you know you're busy, but once you write it down it becomes impressively busy.) Prior to writing it down, I would go through time periods where I would sort of float along, attending to household needs when they arose and then get hit with with work that needed to be done at once. (Like everyone is out of clean clothes and I have 6 loads to do or I'm asked to do a freelance job or worse ... unexpected company!) Now I'm scheduling everything (as suggested in the book), which helps to create balance and provides time management. I also schedule down time! When I was working in an office, I would schedule every minute to maximize output, but when I'm at home, I just didn't think it was needed. I was wrong. The end result: I'm accomplishing so much more but feeling like I'm doing less... and I feel more accomplished. For example, after planning my day today, I was able to start a wall covering home improvement project, shred 2 yrs worth of paperwork, complete Christmas gift purchases online for my kids. I've also started the organization/clearing out my office ( using the CPR method described in the book). I've also completed the usual stuff that's required: drop offs, pick ups, lunches, dinner, playtime with kids, a work appointment, many phone calls, and four hours of "work". And I'm only half way through the book! Do yourself a favor, get this book!

Must have!

The title says it all. No stress and clutter free.....now who doesn't want that?! As the mother of three active kids and a teacher of about 140, my life is incredibly hectic. I don't have much time to get organized let alone read about getting organized, but every minute spent reading this book is worth it's weight in gold. It has such practical advice that you'll find yourself saying, "Why didn't I think of that?" Debbie Lillard's tips clearly come from experience and they make perfect sense in setting up a home where schedules, meals, chores, etc. run smoothly. The book motivates you to implement her tips and strategies. This book leaves you wishing you had it years ago, but thankful that you have it now. I, too, plan on purchasing several copies to give as Christmas gifts, and I'm also going to get a copy to leave in the teacher's room so that my colleagues can all benefit from the information. It would make a great shower gift, too! Terrific work, Mrs. Lillard!!

Don't Waste Another Day-Read this Book Today

I can just see Oprah visiting Debbie Lillard's home to see her in action!(Does she really practice what she preaches, we all wonder) Thank you for writing this book! As a new Mom and business owner who works out of my home, my time is more valuable (and scarce) then ever before. Debbie Lillard's great new book is a mandatory read, like Jeff Olson's The Slight Edge or Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad or Napolean Hill's Think and Grow Rich. Why? It has some of the most practical, useful tips in having a successful life, which of course, all starts at HOME! I wish my Mom of six had this back in the 70s! It would have made her life much easier. You might imagine a book on organizing to be, well, dry, boring or condescending...but Debbie Lillard's words are compassionate and inspiring - part instructor, part therapist, part cheerleader and ALL MOM. She's pulled great quotes from some of the world's great thinkers which set a strong context for the "why" behind being "absolutely organized." The book rests next to my combination diaper bag/backpack purse on my desk, next to the baby carriage...This will be a great reference tool for time to come. Not everyone can hire a personal organizer. This is the next best thing! I second Jeanne - already bought 6 copies for family stocking stuffers and will buy many more. Congratulations Debbie. This book will make a profound difference for anyone - not just Moms!

Absolutely Organized

As A mother of three, with a husband who travels this book has become a family bible. It hits on all the points that mothers struggle with daily. It has not only helped me it has helped my older children (9 & 7) get themselves organized in school as well as there rooms (chapter 16) they now purge themselves and are limited to there bins(priceless!!) I would recomend this book to everyone and I have purchased it for all of my sisters-in-law as well as close friends it will be with all of there Christmas presents. I think they will all love it as much as I do. Jeanne-New York