Overbooking? Running late? Feeling overwhelmed by clutter and to-dos? Management consultant Dr. Marilyn Paul guides you on a path to personal change that will bring true relief from the pain and stress of disorganization. Unlike other books on getting organized, It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys offers a clear seven-step path to personal development that is comprehensive in nature.

Drawing on her own experience as a chronically disorganized person, Paul adds warmth, insight, humor, and hope to this manual for change and self-discovery. She introduces the notion of becoming "organized enough" to live a far more rewarding life and make the difference that is most important to you.

Marilyn Paul has a Ph.D. from Yale University and an MB.A. from Cornell. She is a principal in the consulting firm Bridgeway Partners, with clients that have included Harvard University, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Pfizer.

It's Hard to Make a Difference When Your Can't Find Your KeysIntroduction: Organizing as a Path to Growth

Part I: Laying the Foundation 1. There Must Be a Desk in Here Somewhere 2. What Is Your Compelling Purpose for Organizing? 3. Visioning: It's Also About the Little Picture 4. Taking Stock 5. You Can't Go It Alone: Choose True Support

Part II: Drawing on Organizing Wisdom 6. They Rhythm of Organizing 7. Things: We Own Them, They Don't Own Us 8. Master Your Time and Your Tasks 9. Make Sure Your Word Is Good 10. Focus Your Powerful Mind 11. Make Music Out of the Ordinary: Spirituality and Organizing

Part III: Getting the Results You Want For Yourself, Your Family, and at Work 12. Get Traction, Take Effective Action 13. Going Deeper to Keep Going 14. Your Home Could Be Your Castle 15. Organizing Your Organization

Epilogue

Appendixes 1: Areas of Disorganization: Self-Assessment Survey 2: Your Take-Action Checklist 3: Guide to Helpful Book and Web Resources

Acknowledgments