How to organize just about every-thing More than 500 step-by-step instructions for everything from organizing your closets to planning a wedding to creating a flawless filing system

Don't fool yourself. This is so much more than simple organization; in fact, cable TV Clean Sweep host Walsh has corralled 11 contributors to help cover the universe of how-to's. Inside the 16 sections are 501 activities, both the usual and out-of-the-ordinary tasks, from getting organized and planning a remodeling project to joining the Peace Corps or becoming an astronaut. Each features the step-by-step procedures, tips, a warning (if necessary), and who knew? --additional advice designed to make the activity a success: for instance, for running errands, arrange sticky notes in the sequence of the stops you need to make. A personal favorite may turn out to be the last activity--be happy--which features steps like dream big, make a conscious decision to be happy, eat chocolate, work out, find satisfaction in little things, and take care of yourself. A great humane reference anytime, anywhere, for any occasion. --Barbara Jacobs Copyright 2005 Booklist

As this massive guide shows, anti-clutter expert Walsh?s expertise extends well beyond closets and cabinets. The star of TLC?s Clean Sweep offers advice on how to organize your whole life, from education (?Plan Your Course of Study in College?) to finances (?Organize a Loan Application?) to social life (?Plan a Prom?). And while you may not think you need to know what to do in case of an Ebola outbreak, can it hurt to be prepared? Most of the 500 subjects are covered in a page of clear, commonsensical advice, with warnings and extra little tips highlighted along the margins of the page. You may think more than one page is needed to explain how to be happy, but Walsh actually offers a concise summary of the basic points found in hundreds of self-help books. You could save yourself a lot of time by getting this useful compendium. (Jan. 11) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Foreword Is your household a fine-tuned model of efficiency? Or do you simply close the door when the piles and heaps get out of control? If your home, your calendar and your inbox are bursting at the seams, rest assured, that you're not alone: We're all guilty of acquiring more and more stuff and have fewer places to put it. Schedules are overrun with commitments, checkbooks stagger under ever-increasing debt loads, and closets long for breathing room. Where does it end? Being organized is the key to a simpler life, in which the things we own reflect who we are and everything has its place. How to Organize (Just About) Everything covers the typical organizing dilemmas -- closets, garage, desk -- but goes beyond mere cosmetic fixes to the root of the problem. You'll find tried-and-true strategies that will help everything from the hopelessly scattered to the chronically late -- bringing relief to the most hard core pack rat. This definitive guide will help you organize your life from cradle to grave whether you're planning your family or planning your estate. Tackle affairs of the heart and meet Mr. Or Ms. Right, arrange a wedding and orchestrate the perfect conception. Stay on top of your kids' schedules, homework and birthday parties. When you need to get away from it all, investigate a trove of travel tips to help plan your honeymoon, a fishing trip to Alaska or the perfect day at Disneyland. Discover a surprising range of topics in chapters devoted entirely to improving your community, planning celebrations and events and dealing with life's unexpected situations. Your first tip: Start with chapter one (Get Organized) and get a handle on the basics. You'll learn how to Write an Effective To-Do List, Overcome Chronic Disorganization, Get Rid of What You Don't Want and Set Goals. Check the difficulty level for each topic -- the more paper clips, the more challenging the task -- and the Tips, Who Knew? and Warning sidebars for additional insight. You'll be primed to declutter your home, streamline your workday, plot your career, master your finances and much, much more. Thanks to all of our authors and professional organizers for expertly distilling organizing principles into concise topics (read more about them on the Contributors page). A top of the hat to Julie Thomson and Ginny McLean for diving into the breach with flair and to managing editor Jennifer Block Martin for nailing it time and time again with style and grace. Special thanks to Brynn Breuner for deftly steering the project and without whom this book would never have seen the light of day, and to Ken, for making me brave. So, conquer that clutter, find your keys and welcome deadlines with open arms. With How to Organize (Just About) Everything, you'll be ready for anything life throws at you. Peter Walsh Copyright © 2004 by Weldon Owen Inc. Excerpted from How to Organize (Just about) Everything: More Than 500 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Organizing Your Closets to Planning a Wedding to Creating a Flawless Filing System by Peter Walsh All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.