"Despite lip service to anything else, modern consensus reality would have us see ourselves as, above all, economic entities: Consumers and, as importantly, Producers. In this view it's our moral imperative to become as Efficient and Productive as possible - to fulfill our purpose as human beings by maximizing our output (of money, happiness, service, or personal satisfaction) while minimizing our costs in terms of time, energy, and money.
What's wrong with this picture? If you've ever found yourself uncomfortable thinking of yourself as a productivity machine, you'll like Pamela Kristan's book. In simple, practical, and holistic terms, it offers nothing less than a way to reclaim our own lives.
All this in a book about time management? Indeed. (For what else do we have to work with in this life, but time?) Beyond simple formulas, recipes, or bullet points, Kristan shows us how, in the process of learning to manage our time from a completely new perspective, we can re-vision our entire lives. Ms. Kristan has spent decades researching and developing these ideas in her own life and in her work with clients, and she offers the wisdom of a lifetime in this succinct and eminently readable offering.
Don't worry if you don't think of yourself as being on a spiritual path. This book is for anyone with a reflective turn of mind who wants to view their life and habits of living from a fresh perspective. If you've read this far, read Kristan's book - it's a unique, and uniquely thought-provoking, read that could change your life." Jim Guinness, high school math teacher
"This is a nuts and bolts book for those of us who have so much we should, could, and would do that we decide this is nuts and bolt. We use precious time to hide in front of the TV because we think that just because everything has a place, and we think we know where that is, we should have the time and energy to always put it there - but we don't have the spirit keep doing it. We know Sisyphus was let of lightly because rolling that stone up the hill is easier than keeping up with eMail, organizing that stuff, or doing chores that we can't decide are important or not. We dismay that our time, energy and enthusiasm is insufficient to have a life after all is said and done. In this reader friendly book Pamela gently and clearly coaches us about ways to sort that out. She shows ways to pay attention to how we decide what is important. She demonstrates how to use our own boundaries to sort out what we decide to pay attention to. She coaches us to find our own courage to choose ("Choose! oh no! not that!") when to actually do what. After you read this you should read her other book, The Spirit of Getting Organized. Enjoy." Ralph Chadis, computer programmer
"I loved this book. Deep, simple, and wise. Like most people I know, I struggle with how to be engaged in the world (including e-mail!) and still live a balanced, happy, present life. Pam Kristan's book gave me both practical tools and overarching philosophy that I'm putting to use now every day." Anne Ellinger, foundation president
"Have you ever felt like you're running on a hamster wheel and can't get off? Want a new perspective on how to stay calm in this fast-paced world? Look no further. This practical, powerful little book will help you take a deep breath, get organized, and feel more peaceful. As a small business owner who's always plugged into my phone and computer, I'm used to operating at top speed. I get a lot done. But, day to day and week to week, I also feel haunted by the stuff I've "neglected"--the daunting stacks of paper work, the To Do lists buried beneath the other To Do lists. Sometimes, I feel like I'm falling behind and won't ever quite catch up. The author's strategies and tips are sensible and can be applied to lots of situations. Her discussions of Attention, Boundaries, and Choices really helped me get a handle on my all of my loose ends, gave me insight into why I avoid doing certain things, tuned me into my unreasonable expectations of myself, and helped me gain clarity about how I want to spend my time. Slow down, sit down, give this a read. You won't regret it." Kim Elliott, designer
What's wrong with this picture? If you've ever found yourself uncomfortable thinking of yourself as a productivity machine, you'll like Pamela Kristan's book. In simple, practical, and holistic terms, it offers nothing less than a way to reclaim our own lives.
All this in a book about time management? Indeed. (For what else do we have to work with in this life, but time?) Beyond simple formulas, recipes, or bullet points, Kristan shows us how, in the process of learning to manage our time from a completely new perspective, we can re-vision our entire lives. Ms. Kristan has spent decades researching and developing these ideas in her own life and in her work with clients, and she offers the wisdom of a lifetime in this succinct and eminently readable offering.
Don't worry if you don't think of yourself as being on a spiritual path. This book is for anyone with a reflective turn of mind who wants to view their life and habits of living from a fresh perspective. If you've read this far, read Kristan's book - it's a unique, and uniquely thought-provoking, read that could change your life." Jim Guinness, high school math teacher
"This is a nuts and bolts book for those of us who have so much we should, could, and would do that we decide this is nuts and bolt. We use precious time to hide in front of the TV because we think that just because everything has a place, and we think we know where that is, we should have the time and energy to always put it there - but we don't have the spirit keep doing it. We know Sisyphus was let of lightly because rolling that stone up the hill is easier than keeping up with eMail, organizing that stuff, or doing chores that we can't decide are important or not. We dismay that our time, energy and enthusiasm is insufficient to have a life after all is said and done. In this reader friendly book Pamela gently and clearly coaches us about ways to sort that out. She shows ways to pay attention to how we decide what is important. She demonstrates how to use our own boundaries to sort out what we decide to pay attention to. She coaches us to find our own courage to choose ("Choose! oh no! not that!") when to actually do what. After you read this you should read her other book, The Spirit of Getting Organized. Enjoy." Ralph Chadis, computer programmer
"I loved this book. Deep, simple, and wise. Like most people I know, I struggle with how to be engaged in the world (including e-mail!) and still live a balanced, happy, present life. Pam Kristan's book gave me both practical tools and overarching philosophy that I'm putting to use now every day." Anne Ellinger, foundation president
"Have you ever felt like you're running on a hamster wheel and can't get off? Want a new perspective on how to stay calm in this fast-paced world? Look no further. This practical, powerful little book will help you take a deep breath, get organized, and feel more peaceful. As a small business owner who's always plugged into my phone and computer, I'm used to operating at top speed. I get a lot done. But, day to day and week to week, I also feel haunted by the stuff I've "neglected"--the daunting stacks of paper work, the To Do lists buried beneath the other To Do lists. Sometimes, I feel like I'm falling behind and won't ever quite catch up. The author's strategies and tips are sensible and can be applied to lots of situations. Her discussions of Attention, Boundaries, and Choices really helped me get a handle on my all of my loose ends, gave me insight into why I avoid doing certain things, tuned me into my unreasonable expectations of myself, and helped me gain clarity about how I want to spend my time. Slow down, sit down, give this a read. You won't regret it." Kim Elliott, designer