Simplify Your Life

by Marcia Ramsland

Is it really possible to simplify your life? The answer is a resounding "yes," if you know the necessary steps to unclutter your life and lifestyle. Get the inside scoop from professional organizer Marcia Ramsland and begin to solve your life management issues like a pro. With fast-paced, step-by-step instructions, Marcia walks you through refreshing new ways to manage your daily schedule, your life at home and at work, and special seasons of your life such as parenting, the holidays, and transitions. Simplify Your Life reveals do-able tips and practical systems using Marcia's trademark "PuSH" Sequence?an acronym for P roject, yo u (the key component), S ystem, H abit?which not only gets you organized but help you stay that way. Tips include how Offering practical solutions designed to change your life immediately, this simplified style of living gives you and your loved ones more time to do the things you really enjoy?starting today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2004

Reviews

[sarafem · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I need to know how stay at home moms that teach Sunday school and sing in the choir keep all their Bible studies organized between soccer practice and PTA, I'll pick up this book again. Until then, uhh, no.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loves this one! The author mentioned quite a few things I never heard before. I especially liked the chapters on tackling projects (beyond your daily tasks and responsibilities) and simplifying the holidays. Will definitely reference this one again.

[Leigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to have a ton of easy practical steps to organize my home and I've been using some of the ideas this summer. My house is looking MUCH better!!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most overtly religious of the organizing books I've tried, and it's aimed solely at women. While I could have done without some of its assumptions, it's still the most practically helpful organizing book I've come across so far.

The author's PuSH method made little sense to me, even after all the examples I found it hard to differentiate between the System and Habit categories. But her strategies for avoiding paper pile-ups have already made a big difference in my stress level.

The tips on scheduling and cleaning may seem like common sense to some, but they were exactly the type of suggestions I was looking for. Even in the sections that weren't relevant to me personally, I liked that the book focused more on specific advice than on motivational pushes or long explorations of the psychology of clutter.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Simplify Your Life, Ramsland encourages list makers (like me) to live horizontally rather than vertically. A vertical person looks at a long "to do" list from top to bottom and becomes overwhelmed. A horizontal person looks at a calendar ("the big picture") and sees where active days have to followed up with lighter ones. Programming quiet and alone time after a day of heavy social interaction has been revolutionary for me.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good-far better options out there

Pretty terrible. A few decent bits of organizing and simplifying advice, but mostly religious and sexist claptrap. Gems included are letting your husband occasionally make dinner and praying for help organizing your closets.

Written under the assumption that every aspect of homemaking and chores falls to the woman. Makes no attempt to reflect realities of many 21st century families.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, although it covers a lot of territory that is better-covered in her later book, Simplify your Space. Still i got a lot of ideas.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Religious book with an organizing perspective focused on "women's work" - but despite this is was broad and actionable. Covered calendar, cleaning, laundry, home office, and life transitions (moving, illness, and death). Nothing revolutionary. My Kindle copy had some weird spacing and typos.

[B Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using the PUSH method the author takes on a journey to simplify every area of our lives. I am not sure if the writing style or the fact that I kept putting the book down, but I did not feel that I incorporated any of the suggestions.

[Annburnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book to help you get back on track with organizing and accomplishing more in less time. It is truly helpful in getting you motivated.

[Em · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. This book seems unnecessarily complicated. Glad it's a library book and not a purchase. How can a book about simplifying your life be so complicated?

Geared to Christian women.

[The Devine Ms Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

An upbeat - you can do it - message. The author breaks down each room in small chunks and gives time estimates for each job. If you start this programme, my advise is to take before and after photos and team up with someone like-minded. I did just that and it turned out to be a lot of fun and kept me going when I would have been distracted. Your partner doesn't even have to live in your town if you take and share the before and after photos. I would have liked to have seen more details for home office and craft rooms.

[Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplify Your Life is an excellent book on getting organized. The recommendations in it are accessible and easily and immediately applied to one's daily life. I found the examples and instructions much more concrete and applicable than in most other organization books.

As a warning, it is written with a religious slant but not overbearingly, so it's easy to skip over if you're not interested in that element.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago. One of those things I picked up in an airport and read on the plane. I actually refer back to it when I'm feeling particularly disorganized. It's laid out in a nice way and gives some interesting perspectives on simplifying. For some reason, it's strangely comforting to me.

[Jackee]

This book had many great tips to help women get and stay organized both at home, at work, and mentally. My favorite tip so far is building transitional, trigger activities into our lives. I'm going to use that to see if it helps me keep my brain living more in the present activity a little better (i.e. not bringing work home with me or home to work with me).

[Robin]

Began this book yesterday and am excited about the journey it will lead me on. It's set up like a workbook, which I think will be an effective format for me. Would love to know if anyone else is reading it or has read it recently!

[Deana Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book on organzing. I am reading some of the books I have to declutter my house. This book has good simple ideas for organizing your home with a Christian backround and a prayer at the end of each chapter.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I am really enjoying this book. I am only on chapter 4, but already, I have learned things that I have not read in other organization books. I may update this if my opinion changes after rading the entire book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! There are lot of ideas for organizing and simplifying life. I already have a friend who's interested in reading this book now that I'm done. I highly suggest it for those people who like to keep an organized life.

[Betty Price]

Lots of great ideas and how to get things simple and mangeable.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. A must read for the person who is unorganized like me. I am still working on the complete organization of everything, but with time I know I will one day be there!

[Lacresha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm learning so much and I'm only a few chapters in. I highly recommend this book.

[Agent Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a few good tips, but it was mostly just common sense things about managing time and keeping schedule.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK with GREAT Ideas for organizing!!

[Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative book. I'm pretty organized and have a system somewhat. This helped me learn some new tips on how to better manage my time and doing projects and meals more effectively!

[Kara Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I have picked up so many tips and am motivated to organize my life. The helpful hints are relatively simple to initiate and make so much sense. I recommend this to everyone!

[Ligia Stockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very helpful it getting myself organized. I plan to use it as a reference tool for days/years to come!

[Shelley Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great help for my piles of clutter. Use her tips daily in my life even still after several years. The book also comes in DVD as a class. I have done the class and loved it.

[Anne B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some ideas I haven't read before... and I have read A LOT of "simplify your life" books. She maintains a positive can-do attitude throughout that is contagious.