Maynard Rolston
1 Small to big; this one works
Maynard Rolston's book is a must-read. Even in today's email/voicemail/PDA/cellular world, some basics never change: take action, delegate or trash -- and if action is needed -- prioritize!
While I mostly work on small to medium sized projects as a consultant, the work habits Maynard promotes can help any person in any sized business. And the way to handle meetings, delegate, schedule and priortize can apply in a consultant-client relationship just as well as between employees.
My desk top (both real and virtual) will be getting cleaner and more efficient.
2 Become More Productive
Maynard Rolston provides some great common sense organizational strategies to help you increase your productivity and save you time. It's an easy-to-read, enjoyable book that will help reduce your stress level. As a writer, small publisher and author of There Is Eternal Life For Animals, I can use all the help I can get to make the most of my time and become more efficient.
3 Common sense is uncommon sense
Fantastic book! This author helped my employees become much more efficient and gave us more time to spend on more important issues. If you detest paperwork this is a must read title.
4 If you have piles of paper stacked anywhere, get this book!
This book provides very clear, easy-to-implement directions on how you can be tons more productive without working extra hours. Since reading this book, I can now walk into someone's office and immediately know how I should manage them! I dislike reading management books, and found this book to be easy-to-read (like the One-Minute Manager) but much more actionable.
5 An easy read; High Organizational Value for Anyone
This book is very easy story to read with high impact organizational messages. Anyone with even modest needs to be organized will save more time than they thought by following Maynard Rolston's organized story. John Boyd-Indianapolis, IN
6 saves money and time
easy to read and understand as well as follow
most books give you ideas an plans that you are only able to follow for a while- this is something that is easy to incoraporate as well as maintain
I have been following Maynards guidleines and steps now for almost a year
7 Common Sense Between Book Covers
If you are looking for the latest fad or sophisitcated ideas on how to get organized and stay organized this is not the book for you. However, if you like good old fashion common sense and ideas that are clearly explained, easy to learn and simple to implement...this is the book for you.
I teach people to get organized for a living. In the process of learning how to teach this course, I read every book I could get my hands on about the topic...and listened to audio tape...and watched videos...and called people doing this kind of work. I learned a few things from a few of the books, tapes and videos. But when I encountered Maynard I "hit the motherload" in a manner of speaking. In a nutshell, many people have written better looking books about the topic of getting organized. The covers may be slicker, the illustrations may be fancier or the words may sound more sophisticated...but Maynard's book has one overriding quality that impressed me more than the covers, illlustrations and words of the other books...he knows what he is talking about and his system works. Most unorganized people do not think they have time to read books. If you can only find time for one book...read Maynard's book. Maynard has mastered the topic of getting organized and he shares his mastery with others throughout this book.
Here is just one example of what you can learn in this book...if you use Maynard's system, you will never again struggle with prioritizing your work. As a matter fo fact, you will be able to prioritize your work (and know that you got it right) in 60 seconds or less. The true definition of being organized is being able to find things when you need them. Find this book as soon as you can...you'll understand after you read it how much you needed it!
8 Changed for Life
I realized after reading Maynard Rolston's book, "Time Management is an Oxymoron", that I was very much like that frog in the boiling water; I just never noticed how out of control I was. Despite the mounds of paper on my desk, an overflowing inbox, meetings on meetings, and always struggling to keep up with deadlines, I felt fine about my overall effectiveness as an Information Technology Director. But, after reading Maynard's book and applying his system to my situation, I've come to understand just how disorganized I'd been and what impact this had on my effectiveness and my team's productivity. This book can - and does - provide the techniques that will bring positive change to the increasingly hectic business environment. Thanks Maynard!
9 I was the "Oxymoron"
Rolston's book became valuable in two areas. The first area was the transition I undertook from line employee to supervisor to division manager. His filing system for project management, daily activities, etc. helped me in the transition from receiving work orders to issuing work orders and then to long range planning in my current job.
This was especially important as these changes have occurred over a twenty year tenure at my current job as a Facility Manager for one of the fastest growing cities in America. His advice has helped me become a better manager and, most importantly, KEEP A CLEAN DESKTOP!
The second area is in the leadership roles I play in other areas such as Church and American Cancer Society. His methods have allowed me better use resources and time in my daily life thus allowing me to be active in the things I enjoy outside work.
It is also important to note that I see Rolston's philosophies he relates lived out in his daily life. He has been a great role model and confidant. The implementation of his ideas has been made easier by his exampling.
In short, this is a "must read"!
10 Straightforward, solid help
From the first chuckle with the title, you're drawn into a fun read of solid, straigtforward, helpful advice.
11 This book is the key to a clean desk and an organized mind.
Mr. Rolston has provided a clear, concise plan for dealing with the onlaught of paper, corespondence, and Email that enters all our lives. His five action decisions are clear and to the point and with practice, easy to follow. As his book expains, "The beauty of this system is that it will reduce anxiety caused by clutter and disorganizaion enabling you to get more done with fewer distractions. Discipline yourself to use it, profit from it, and you will enjoy peace of mind and a life of greater significance." Work from a completely clean desk - yes, it is possible!
12 Practical and Professional
This book is a Job Aid, i.e., a set of proven, practical methods to improve managing time. Because the author attacks time-eaters such as handling paper, e-mail, the telephone, follow-up, etc., the system's approach outlined is applicable to Executives and managers in any business. The "professional" part is that Maynard does the basics very well! He identifies the problems to mismanagement of the above, and quickly and concisely outlines the solution.
13 First time management book I've read cover to cover!
Written from a new slant, this book is interesting and entertaining enough to get you through the steps it takes to truly get organized and make more time for yourself and your family! It has already changed my work habits, and I'm still learning from it. Highly recommend this quick read to anyone who is sitting overwhelmed behind a desk that is piled high with paper.
14 Real World Help
Mr. Rolston's ideas not only are very helpful, but they are also very achievable. They are proof positive that real world experience makes for the best advice. His book, written in a novel/story like style makes for easy and enjoyable reading. His examples make you think of people you know and work with and even about yourself. This is a must have book for people that want a solution to being more productive in their work, not just more work in trying to be productive.
15 Stop now and read this book!
Most of us are frustrated with the hectic pace and chaos that we encounter each day. Our natural tendency is to speed up and try to pack more in a day. This usually just leads to more stress and anxiety. I think a much better idea is to stop, take the time to read this book, incorporate many of Mr. Rolston's ideas in your daily routine and then get back to work. I like ideas that are practical, effective and simple to implement. This book is full of such ideas. Read it and find out that there are ways to increase productivity and decrease stress and anxiety at the same time. I'm going to buy copies for all my direct reports.
