Organizing from the Inside Out

Morgenstern's "from the inside out" system begins by laying out the possible reasons for a failure of organization: technical errors (like having a complex organizing system that breaks down), external realities (like not enough space for your belongings), and psychological obstacles (like fear of failure--or success). Then, her Analyze and Strategize steps help create a plan of action based on your needs and goals, and the brief chapter called "Attack: Getting the Job Done" offers basic ideas for making space. The largest section of the book, "Applying What You've Learned," addresses the specifics of organizing workspaces, home offices, living spaces, and storage areas. Each section has a "How Long Will It Take?" box that gives a realistic time estimate, and Morgenstern's "Julie's No-Brainer Toss List" for each area gives the permission and encouragement that most of us have been waiting for to get rid of things we'll never use again. The section at the end, "Tackling Time and Technology," is worth its weight in DayTimers and PalmPilots. Whatever your organizing issues are, you're not a hopeless case, and you don't need special equipment--just a little understanding of the problem and a willingness to plan before diving in.

Praise for author Julie Morgenstern:

"If I had had Julie Morgenstern's tips on how to organize my workload and prioritize my days, balancing my growing business and family life would have been much easier."
-Lilian Vernon, Chairman and CEO, Lilian Vernon Corporation, on Organizing from the Inside Out

"Julie's tips on organizing really work. She transformed my office from a 'disaster area' to a livable, functioning workplace. I can actually find things now!"
-Spencer Christian, Good Morning America