The organizing book I wish I had written

If you like reading about organizing, but find that most organizing books ask a lot of your free time and seem to promise unrealistic expectations, then you will like the book Everything (Almost) In Its Place by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch (2008).

This is the organizing book I wish I had written. The authors don’t promise permanently immaculate spaces or encourage the adoption of perfectly color-coded, labeled shelves. Instead they focus on providing you with an organizing method that is flexible, easy and functional.

Changing some of your thoughts and behaviors is essential to getting organized, they say. The first change you need to make? Realizing that your space doesn’t have to be perfect. “Because no one is perfect, your room can’t be either,” they write. That may sound depressing to some readers, but to the vast majority of the people I work with (and to me), that sounds liberating. No longer do you have to strive for a pristine space. Good enough is now, well, good enough.

The one downside to this book is it seems to be written for a female audience. Since when did organizing become “women’s work?” But anyone can apply their principles, which are applicable to the workplace and time management as well.

I highly recommend this book for those who have trouble sticking with an organizing system or who feel overwhelmed by the thought of sorting and containing all their stuff. This book may be the motivation you’ve been looking for.