Over 1 million copies sold? Does the Personal Efficiency Program deliver?

"The Personal Efficiency Program" by Kerry Gleeson, 2009

This is a good book and you can see why a million copies have been sold.  I am reviewing the 4th edition although it is not 100% clear when it was updated.  The publishing date is 2009 but most of the example pictures of software in the book look 8-10 years old.  References to other books and surveys all date from the 1990's, so I suspect this 4th edition isn't that different.  There lies the first issue - the book is a little dated.  Advice on emails and information flow is extremely solid (very similar to my own methodology In Time) but there is a lack of detail on how to actually use modern time management tools to implement the presented ideas.  Conversely, the book is MUCH stronger with tips on implementing ideas with paper and files.  But this is a minor quibble - this is a very good book.

The core methodology is very sound.  Organise your working environment.  Use a simple prioritisation system.  Work primarily from your Calendar.  The same three foundations of In Time so I found a lot to like in this book.  You also get TONS of practical advice and examples.  There are also chapter for managers, travellers and meetings.  There is also a good final chapter on maintaining your time management system. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but it is all presented succinctly in just over 200 pages.

If there is a real weakness in the book it is around goal setting or objectives.  This is a very tactical book with plenty of practical advice on interruptions, forward planning, dealing with email etc...  But strategic goal setting and incorporating those goals into your time management system is only paid lip service.  Some books go overboard on this topic, but this one probably under does it a bit.  Also, I would have liked a little more structure to the book itself.  The first half of the book flows well, but then it gets a little out-of-order or random in its chapters.  Again, minor issues.

This is a very good time management book.  Perhaps slightly more suited to pen/paper situations, but there is a whole chapter on emails and plenty of advice on software calendars, so the bias is only slight.  If you can implement even half of this book, you would come out well ahead in time management.  Recommended.

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