CHAPTER 1: FREEDOM FROM CHAOS -- takes a beginning look at the value and mechanics of personal organization...including:

• the organizing triad -- time, workflow, and space
• along the spectrum from avoiders to addicts
• what does it mean to be organized?
• why do you want to get organized?
• benefits of organization
• "how organized are you?" quiz
• the 4 ingredients for success
• where to start -- tips for the 3 personality types and the 4 potential organizing barriers
• finding a system that suits your style

CHAPTER 2: CHALLENGES TO GETTING ORGANIZED -- looks at the many reasons why we don't get organized, no matter how "good for us" it might be...including:

• facing your organizing challenges
• misconceptions about organizing
• psychological barriers
• systemic barriers
• situational barriers

CHAPTER 3: TIME ORGANIZING STYLES -- examines the 4 major time styles or personalities, looking at both the strengths and challenges for each...including:

• discovering your style -- an assessment
• the focus spectrum
• the deadline spectrum
• the sequence spectrum
• the scope spectrum
• can I change my style?

CHAPTER 4: TIME MANAGEMENT BASICS -- ...including:

• why time management efforts fail
• the 3 levels and 6 components of good time management
• the myth of time management
• 9 common time management problems
• purposeful time management
• your mission statement and values
• mission statement exercise

CHAPTER 5: PRIORITIZING AND DECISION MAKING -- offers some guidance in how to appropriate prioritize responsibilities in your life and make decisions as to what should get your immediate attention...including:

• understanding the many domains in your life
• setting meaningful goals for each domain
• SMART subgoals
• prioritizing tools
• the priority matrix
• the priority grid
• having a plan
• setting your pace, speed, and rhythm
• energy drains and gains
• creating a process

CHAPTER 6: SPACE ORGANIZING STYLES -- moves on the the next element of organization, a look at your natural tendencies and inclinations regarding how you interact with your space...including:

• a space style assessment
• visual style and retention style
• in view versus hidden
• packrat versus tosser
• how does knowing my working style help?
• key strategies for each personality

CHAPTER 7: PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZING -- examines some basic principles of organization that you can apply to any area or issue in your life...including:

• simplicity
• accessibility
• similarity
• separation
• belonging

CHAPTER 8: ANALYSIS -- begins with the first step of organizing your space, a reality check about your current organizational situation...including:

• a look at what is and is not working for you
• solutions to common space organizing problems
• not enough storage
• not enough work surface area
• inadequate system for processing incoming materials
• inadequate information for tracking projects
• inadequate system for filing
• inefficiency problems
• creating a plan based on function and feeling
• deciding what to keep and what to toss

CHAPTER 9: DEMOLITION -- moves to the second step of space organizing, clearing out some room so you can develop an organized storage system...including:

• getting your supplies
• picking a place to start
• beginning with the end in mind
• starting with the oldest first
• rearranging furniture
• 4 steps to sorting through your stuff
• what to do with what you find
• asking questions
• taking preventative measures
• when it's hard to toss -- 6 roadblocks and how to overcome them
• options for getting rid of without throwing away

CHAPTER 10: HUB -- continues into the third step for organizing your space, creating an organized central work area...including:

• 4 problems caused by not having a functional "hub"
• finding a location
• 4 possible workspace configurations
• a portable work area
• checklist of workspace needs, equipment, and materials
• setting up activity areas
• what goes on your desk
• setting up homes for all your supplies and papers
• labeling
• ergonomics
• a workspace set up for every style

CHAPTER 11: FILING AND STORAGE -- completes the final step in space organizing, setting up a meaningful space for storing paper and supplies...including:

• filing furniture and folder options
• alphabetical versus categorical files
• creating your file categories and labels
• managing file size
• organizing books, magazines, catalogs, etc.
• supplies
• archiving
• contact information

CHAPTER 12: WORKFLOW ONE-WAY STREET -- looks at thhe first step in organizing your workflow, setting up systems for processing information...including:

• staying on top of incoming information
• physical, electronic, and non-physical information
• reducing incoming
• red light, yellow light, green light -- only 3 choices for any item
• making a home for outgoing items

CHAPTER 13: TASK MANAGEMENT -- moves on to the second step of effective workflow, having a way to organize your to-do's...including:

• urgent and two-minute items
• your master task list
• paper/physical task systems versus computerized task systems
• keys for an effective master list
• choosing a calendar -- 4 important considerations
• creating a "parking lot" for your physical paper
• your "pending" spot

CHAPTER 14: GETTING THINGS DONE -- continues to the third stage of workflow management, actually making the time to complete each task...including:

• prioritizing your task list
• picking your top tasks
• 10 time scheduling techniques
• reminder systems
• agendas
• project planning basics
• using your time wisely

CHAPTER 15: COMPUTER ORGANIZATION -- offers some tips for better organizing your electronic life...including:

• setting up folders for electronic files
• organizing electronic documents
• dealing with email
• downloading files
• tracking tasks
• contact managment
• backing up

CHAPTER 16: COMMON CHALLENGES -- offers specific solutions to some of the most common organizing roadblocks...including:

• lack of space
• lack of finances
• style challenges
• driving yourself crazy with your own habits