This time of year is a wonderful chance to lay on the beach/couch/verandah/hammock and read. Here’s a list of beach reading for professional organisers I know you’ll enjoy.
Fiction
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
If you haven’t read this gem by Liane Moriarty, get on it. She always writes characters and situations so vividly that you’d think she’d lived those experiences herself. In this book, hoarding plays a small part. If you want to read more, here’s a review I wrote.
The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell
It’s a tale about family relationships, centred around one house and the stuff inside it. Check out my full review of it here.
Non-Fiction
The Trauma Cleaner by Sarah Krasnostein
I have a soft spot for this book about my friend Sandra Pankhurst. Her story will make your jaw drop, your eyes water and your heart swell with fondness. Her journey from abused young boy to savvy businesswoman prepared her for the role of straight-talking but compassionate trauma cleaner. What a story! And it’s all real.
Tell Your Story by Holly Cardamone
I first met Holly when she spoke at our Professional Organisers of Melbourne meeting. I enjoyed it so much I invited her back for a second time. And then I joined her Band of Batchers Writing Program and now I am officially a raving fan of Holly’s no-nonsense approach to writing and branding storytelling. Tell Your Story is packed with actionable ideas, tips and strategies to build your brand and grow your business.
Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern
With all the new organising books that have emerged over the years (by Peter Walsh, Marie Kondo, etc.), this old classic seems to get forgotten. But it is a worthy classic. It can be a little dry, but it covers the basics of good professional organising. I love that I got to meet and spend time with Julie, and got my books autographed as well.
Time Management from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern
Once you’ve read Organizing from the Inside Out, I recommend this as an immediate next step. Julie’s approach to time management and time mapping changed my life. My husband and I both read it while on holiday in Noosa. It was a crazy busy time in our lives and it was a blessing to take time out to re-examine our priorities and time commitments. On that one day, while the teenagers had taken themselves off to Australia Zoo for the day, we sat down and reshaped our future. And things have been better ever since.
Anything by Don Aslett
If you want a good laugh and to see the funny side of clutter, Don Aslett, self-proclaimed “world’s #1 cleaning expert”, is your man. He has many books on the subject. I picked up Lose 200lbs This Weekend from a second-hand book shop. While you laugh at the jokes and illustrations, you’ll also pick up some concise wisdom about the impacts of clutter on the average household.
Lessons in Letting Go by Corinne Grant
This book is subtitled “Confessions of a Hoarder”. Say no more. You can see what it’s about. Once a comedienne, now a personal injury lawyer, Corinne captures the lessons in letting go that she says helped her “to drag myself out of the mess”. One of the things that worked for her was working with a professional organiser. But it was not the only thing, and I think it’s an important lesson for us all.
While You’re Reading
While you’re lying on the beach/couch/verandah/hammock, think about what you want for your organising business in the next 12 months. The Professional Organiser’s Edge may be just what you need. Let’s talk about how I can help.
