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arpb14's review against another edition
1.0
I don't understand what helpful information people are deriving from this drivel. You can sum this book up with 1. Know how you spend your time. 2. If you don't feel like doing typical adult tasks, just pay someone else to do it. (If you don't have the money, just give up air conditioning.). 3. Don't watch TV. There. I just saved you about 8 hours of reading this book.
tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
My friend Emily, who I really admire recommended this to me.
Cons- this sentence: "Now that women do not have to sew clothes for themselves or their children, knitting has become so hip as a hobby it's practically cliched." (page 152)
Yeah... you just won over this reader who's planning on making knitting a career...
To be honest, the book jacket could say, "The middle-to-upper-middle-class woman's guide to becoming Type A."
As cynical as that is, I really liked it. It probably has something to do with the fact that I'm the target audience. No, it's not directed at only women, but since the author is a woman, she does take time out to discuss issues like childcare and getting back into a career after taking time off for children (oh, first world problems). I haven't read "Lean In" yet, but I can imagine this being "The Self-made Career Woman's Lean In."
So just like if you're starting a new diet, it's a good idea to write down everything you eat for a week or so to get a feel for how many vegetables you eat and such, this book is about writing down how each hour is spent in your week and looking at how much time is spent with your children, your work, your leisure, your commute, etc.
I think seriously looking at how you spend your time is important for making goals, so I'm on board with that.
I liked the stories and examples included. This book has the potential for making you feel like crap: "Look at this person! They work full time, exercise, take long vacations with their kids and stated a non-profit on the side! What did you do today? You ate Oreos while watching cat videos?" But I think it was actually encouraging: these people can do all this and maybe I can too?
This book would not have been useful a year ago during my prenatal depression months, but I think it works for me right now. We'll see. You'll know it works when you see me win a Nobel Prize and become a NYT Bestselling Author in the same year. (ha!)
Cons- this sentence: "Now that women do not have to sew clothes for themselves or their children, knitting has become so hip as a hobby it's practically cliched." (page 152)
Yeah... you just won over this reader who's planning on making knitting a career...
To be honest, the book jacket could say, "The middle-to-upper-middle-class woman's guide to becoming Type A."
As cynical as that is, I really liked it. It probably has something to do with the fact that I'm the target audience. No, it's not directed at only women, but since the author is a woman, she does take time out to discuss issues like childcare and getting back into a career after taking time off for children (oh, first world problems). I haven't read "Lean In" yet, but I can imagine this being "The Self-made Career Woman's Lean In."
So just like if you're starting a new diet, it's a good idea to write down everything you eat for a week or so to get a feel for how many vegetables you eat and such, this book is about writing down how each hour is spent in your week and looking at how much time is spent with your children, your work, your leisure, your commute, etc.
I think seriously looking at how you spend your time is important for making goals, so I'm on board with that.
I liked the stories and examples included. This book has the potential for making you feel like crap: "Look at this person! They work full time, exercise, take long vacations with their kids and stated a non-profit on the side! What did you do today? You ate Oreos while watching cat videos?" But I think it was actually encouraging: these people can do all this and maybe I can too?
This book would not have been useful a year ago during my prenatal depression months, but I think it works for me right now. We'll see. You'll know it works when you see me win a Nobel Prize and become a NYT Bestselling Author in the same year. (ha!)
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
3.0
There are some great tips in this book about how to get the most out of your time. The time log exercise has been particularly eye opening. Vanderkam takes a no-nonsense approach to time management and has no tolerance for people who claim not to have the time to accomplish their goals. She outlines a detailed plan for getting the most out of your professional and personal time--TV is out, exercise must be in.
I have a few issues with her book. The first is that she believes a high powered career that makes a giant difference to the betterment of the world is a requirement for all people in order to be happy. She states that any time spent at work that doesn't advance you towards a career goal is just wasted time. I'm not sure who she expects to pick up her garbage if everyone is supposed to be moving towards a position as CEO of a company that cures a new disease every day. She also doesn't see parenthood as a real career, and doesn't seem to condone stay-at-home parenting. She puts forth stats that show that stay-at-home parents barely spend more time with their kids than everyone else and so throws that out the window as a valid option. There is also a lot about outsourcing things like laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning your house. Apparently if you want to be successful, happy, and use your time well you shouldn't be stooping to do any actual chores around your house. I'm not sure what she thinks of the people that you're hiring to do all these things.
If you can overlook the elitist aspects of this book though there are some good, concrete ideas for getting more out of your time. Ordering your groceries online, for example, can save time (commuting and wandering the aisles), money (on gas and impulse buys), and possibly the planet (fewer carbon emissions and if you join a CSA you can get local produce easily without treking to a farmer's market). She also points out ways to maximize small blocks of available free time. Overall I recommend reading this book, though you have to take her vaguely judgemental tone with a grain of salt.
I have a few issues with her book. The first is that she believes a high powered career that makes a giant difference to the betterment of the world is a requirement for all people in order to be happy. She states that any time spent at work that doesn't advance you towards a career goal is just wasted time. I'm not sure who she expects to pick up her garbage if everyone is supposed to be moving towards a position as CEO of a company that cures a new disease every day. She also doesn't see parenthood as a real career, and doesn't seem to condone stay-at-home parenting. She puts forth stats that show that stay-at-home parents barely spend more time with their kids than everyone else and so throws that out the window as a valid option. There is also a lot about outsourcing things like laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning your house. Apparently if you want to be successful, happy, and use your time well you shouldn't be stooping to do any actual chores around your house. I'm not sure what she thinks of the people that you're hiring to do all these things.
If you can overlook the elitist aspects of this book though there are some good, concrete ideas for getting more out of your time. Ordering your groceries online, for example, can save time (commuting and wandering the aisles), money (on gas and impulse buys), and possibly the planet (fewer carbon emissions and if you join a CSA you can get local produce easily without treking to a farmer's market). She also points out ways to maximize small blocks of available free time. Overall I recommend reading this book, though you have to take her vaguely judgemental tone with a grain of salt.
heather_g's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
There is a lot of good information in this book, a lot to absorb and interesting ideas to apply to people who feel they have no time. Fortunately at this time in my life I feel I have time to devote o the fun things I want to do. However I do see opportunities where I could expand my activities and try some new things. Good read no matter where you are in your life
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
Good useful advice - clearly geared to white collar creative workers (which, for what is worth, I am). A good way to think about time and one that I am interested in applying.
freckleduck's review against another edition
4.0
I really like Vanderkam’s writing. I usually leave her books feeling inspired and competent. I left this one appreciating how I spend my time and inspired to do more.