Preparation for Company, or Gift Idea? You decide!
I’m very familiar with the following three books and wrote about them on another blog. For my Christmas blog, I am proposing that you might consider one of these as either a way to help you prepare for Christmas (just 3 weeks away) or as a gift for a practical friend or family member who has talked about needing help/motivation to get organized. (This would not be the gift to give to someone looking for something romantic under the tree! Also, I don’t advise you to use a tool like one of these books as a hint that someone’s organizational skills don’t meet your expectations. That plan could backfire in a horrible way!)
Organizing
from the Heart: Change Your Mindset, Conquer Your Challenges by Baker, Beutler, and Whisnant
Total Home
Makeover: Renewing Your Space & Spirit by Renee Metzler
Declutter
Now! Uncovering the Hidden Joy
and Freedom in Your Life by Lindon and Sherry Gareis
Each book
has a different way of presenting the material, so readers can choose from
among them which style best suits them. (If you believe that reading about
organization will prevent you from starting, choose a book with worksheets or
charts and daily goals. Those might provide the motivation you lack.)
Organizing
from the Heart is the shortest book at 119 pages. (It can be purchased for download if you are in a hurry to use it yourself!) It offers a fun
organizing personality quiz; short chapters that include a small amount of
story in addition to introducing a concept linked to Scripture and a
reflection, action, and inspiration; space for journaling, and a leader’s guide
in the appendix for use in small groups if desired (with 12 chapters, the book
lends itself to use in a quarterly study). The authors suggest that getting
organized can be an act of worship—an intriguing idea. If you like variety, you
will enjoy this book. You can check it out at their blog: http://www.organizinghope.blogspot.com.
Total Home
Makeover is 222 pages long and offers a 20-day planner with a short
daily devotional and space for journaling, followed by coaching sessions,
to-do’s, anecdotes, worksheets, and ideas for rewarding ourselves each week for
following the plan. The purpose of this book is to transform you, your family,
and your home. If you like charts and worksheets, this book is for you! You can
check it out at http://totalhomemakeover.com.
At 248
pages, Declutter Now! is the longest and perhaps most
intensive book. The authors are certified Christian life coaches. Not only do
they discuss decluttering your home but also your heart, mind, body, and soul.
There are no charts or worksheets; if you prefer to read without the pressure
of journaling or filling out worksheets and charts, you’ll want to get this
book. You can check it out at http://actionplanministries.com/declutter-now.
Disclosure
of Material Connection: I am an editor at Ambassador International, the company
that published two of these three books. Of those two, I was the editor for
one. The third book, I edited freelance. No one asked me to review these books.
I only recommend books that I have personally read and believe will be good for
my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade
Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides
Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
So I shouldn't pick one up for my sloppy daughter?? Rats. That girl needs HELP...don't know who she got that from, heheh.
ReplyDeleteI know, Mrs. Editor..."...don't know from whom she received that"...sometimes the vernacular's just better, eh?
LOL - I'm a big fan of informal writing! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLOL at the above conversation!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure those books are excellent, Brenda. You wouldn't be sharing them with us if they weren't!! Thanks!