"Order from Chaos" by Liz Davenport, 2001

I love "x-step" systems.  The logical part of me loves the idea of following a process to get to a result.  To it's credit, this book is well structured, highly practical and full of checklists and "next steps".  It's well written, easy to read and gives you a very good process to work through.

I also think the first step on creating an optimal workspace is really good.  In my own In Time system, creating a "clean and clear" workspace with "a home for everything" is a critical first step to becoming more effective.  In this book, you will be taken through a great clean out, clean up and clean approach. Easy to follow - easy to actually do.  The final pages of the book ("I'm done...so NOW what?") are also well written and kudos for acknowledging that time management is difficult,  often takes several goes to get right and needs lots of support.

The rest of the book is a little hit and miss, however.  Liz is very reliant on using a paper diary/day planner and doesn't address electronic alternatives (possibly reflecting the 2001 publishing date).  So emails aren't particularly well addressed and scheduling within a team environment is overlooked.  The prioritisation system is also really basic (it's an ABC/123 system) and out of time management 101.  There is also no real discussion of objectives, goal setting and overall strategic planning.

Still, my copy of the book has quite a few marked pages, so there is a lot of good stuff in there.  If you are a "paper person", use meetings/telephone more than email, network quite a bit or love your day planner, then this might be the time management book for you.  If you are desk bound with lots of emails and clients, I think you might find better solutions elsewhere.  For anyone with a messy desk or office that needs a clean-up, well you should get this book just for the first step!

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