Sidetracked Home Executives

Rating:
Summary: Newbie to the program, but it is working...!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Humor saves sisters from clutter
Review: I first read this book about 16 years ago when I had just had my third child. Now 16 years later, I am the single parent of 5 working full-time. For a while I was part-time student working part-time as well. I think I appreciate the book even more now and I am more organized, mostly because I too was a mother like Pam and Peggy -I enjoyed being home with my children thoroughly and never resented the endless interruptions. I always felt that those years with those babies were too precious to be missed..and I still do. Unfortunately my husband didnot share my admiration for my dedication to mothering my children and I often got the "..I just don't understand what you do all day.." I was not lucky enough to have a supportive spouse and it was not until we divorced that I recognized that he was most of the problem anyway! Usually I felt like I had 6 kids! I have just started using the card system for my kids, and after 2 weeks I would have to say that I see an improvement. Sixteen years ago the book really made me laugh but it didn't help me get organized, I think I used every excuse. But it was a comfort to me, especially the spiritual parts that Pam wrote in regard to her divorce. Now I am much more organized and much happier. I am emphasizing how the card system will help my kids to become more organized in preparation for their futures, so they can see they are doing it for themselves, not just for me.

Rating:
Summary: Helping keep me sane!
Review: I just love this book! I have been using this system for 2 weeks now, and already I notice a change in my life. I am more relaxed, more organized and can focus on the things I WANT to do. Much of the book is funny accounts of the author's battles with clutter and disorganization. This is entertaining, but I wanted to get right to the heart of things. I am using their 3 x 5 index card plan. Basically, they want you to put all the chores that need to be done on index cards, filed with different colors according to how often they need to be done (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally). You file the cards behind the appropriate date in an index card box. Each day, you just need to look at the cards to see what you need to do. I find it very helpful in that I get busy right away on what needs to be done and don't worry about other chores, because I have them scheduled for another day. The book has a chart at the back suggesting various household chores that need to be done, and places for you to add your own. Before using this system, I often felt overwhelmed just thinking about all the things that needed to be done, and ended up not doing anything at all! It really helps me to focus on what needs to be done and avoid wasting time. Now I have more time to do the things that I want, and I am happier and better organized. It is an easy system to apply and can be adapted to the areas where you are more or less organized. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Organizationally challenged? This is the book for you!
Review: If you suffer from CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome) or IGAD (I've got all day), this is the book for you! Pam Young and Peggy Jones tell the story of their search for organization and how they found it with a 3x5 card file system. Written from the viewpoint of a SHE (Sidetracked Home Executive), they blend humor with down to earth advice on getting your life together. They refer to themselves as reformed slobs and make you feel that if they can do, anyone can. Their system is easy to set up and implement--although for a SHE, it's not always easy to follow. But with the encouragement found in this book, it makes the process fun. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Life Saver!!!
Review: 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."