Careers Books

As an attorney, I read a lot of publications about creating nonprofits -- here's what you need to know about this book:

1) No clear instructions on how to incorporate or how to fill out (very complicated) IRS forms necessary to obtain tax exempt status.

2) Covers a lot of topics only lightly, skipping important details.

3) No detailed info on state laws, which is extremely important to every nonprofit corporation.

If you really don't want to visit an attorney, Nolo's book "How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation" is the best one available, and addresses everything this Dummies book doesn't.

While I wish the book covered more specifics, it does offer a helpful broad-based introduction to the main aspects of fundraising. I would recommend this book especially to small community-based nonprofit volunteers and board members who want to gain "the big picture" and research the particulars (e.g., state-wide tax laws) elsewhere.

OK this book makes you feel like incorporating is as easy as bying the book ...

But it is way too vague, and omits to tell you what you get yourself into !

After reading this book, I incorporated and for additional info I bought Nolo's How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in California by Anthony Mancuso (or How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation if you don't live in california) and I got really scared.
This nonprofit kit is really for dummies, it doesn't even talk about applying for state tax exemption which is as important as federal tax exemption, or your responsibilities and duties as a director or officer.

I would really advise you to buy Nolo's book (nolo.com). The author is much more responsible, he clearly tells you that you should prepare your bylaws, your federal and state tax exemption application BEFORE submitting you articles of incorporation ...

Plus, this nonprofit kit for dummies is making some huge mistakes! It tells you that the Board of Directors is composed of the president, vice president, secretary and CFO ... which is totally untrue, they are officers
The board of directors is composed of guess what ... directors.

For months I was learning how to start a non-profit through alot of second-hand sources and word of mouth. Hours online and months of hairpulling later, someone recommended this book and within 2 weeks all my ducks were in a row and now I'm waiting on them instead of myself.

I wanted to start a small not-for-profit to raise money for cancer research. But where to start? May I suggest this book?

First of all, this isn't a book for the already established, huge foundation. It's for someone (like me) who not only knows nothing about the subject, but doesn't even know where to begin.

The book covers the subject from getting started, incorporating the non-profit, writing a mission statement, applying to the IRS for tax-exempt status (hugely important!), and finding the right people to help you make your dream come true.

The second part of the book is devoted to running the non-profit. This includes setting up a board of directors, hiring staff (or working with volunteers), planning for the future, and managing money.

The third part of the book is perhaps the heart of the matter - raising money.

Understand this is a first step. It isn't the only book you'll buy if you get your non-profit up and running, but it is an excellent place to start.

Read the book and take notes. Every state has different requirements, and you'll need to contact the state agency that regulates non-profits to get the forms, filing requirements, etc. There is a lot to learn, but the book is well organized, and packed with information.

You might also research a few other books to help you with the filing process. And I think it will be important to look for as many fund-raising ideas as you can, anywhere you can find them.

This is a humorous look at the shortness of life. The author identifies ten ways to lead an amazing life such as the importance of laughter and figuring out what it all means.

Her approach is that life is short and we should make the most of it. We all have different stresses to deal with. Our attitude about stress and how we deal with it will affect our health and overall life. We all need a reminder to stop taking things so seriously from time to time.

You will laugh out loud when you read this book. Loretta LaRoche tells it like it is.It's something I just couldn't put down. In fact, I've bought numerous copies to give as gifts!

I've liked seeing Loretta LaRoche on various PBS specials, but until
now, had never read anything by her . . . what a shame!

LIFE IS SHORT, WEAR YOUR PARTY PANTS made me laugh, but it also got me to think about the fact that things such
as party pants shouldn't be saved for later--they should be enjoyed now.

LaRoche, a stress management consultant, presents such ideas
in a humorous, easy-to-apply fashion . . . such as this one:
keep a joy journal . . . she notes that, "Keeping a joy journal
will help you maintain a feeling of elation, the sense that you're
searing with the eagles instead of scratching in the dirt with the
turkey."

As to what to put down in such a journal, she suggests that
you try some of these ideas to move you in the right direction:

1. Think of people who have really made a positive difference
in your life.

2. List three of four things that you do well.

3. Write down at least five things that you like about yourself.

4. Think of a time in which you had so much love in your heart
that you thought it would burst.

5. Think of some of the favorite physical activities you enjoyed as a child
(swimming, jumping rope, roller skating?). List them, and think about ways
you might do them again.

6. Think of five qualities you adore in your partner or spouse.
Write them down, and tell him or her about them.

7. Think back to a time when you felt supported while going
through a challenge. How did this feel, in detail?

8. Remember three time when you felt inner peace and serenity.
Can you capture that feeling? Where were you? Why were
you feeling so good?

9. Think of someone you might forgive, and how doing so might
change your life.

10. Whom do you laugh with the most? Remember a time when
you laughed so hard you thought you'd fall over.

And laugh is what you'll do when you think of this one other
technique advocated by LaRoche . . . she says, "Don't
indulge yourself, but don't deny yourself either. It's unhealthy to
eat mounds of lasagna every day, but it's just as unhealthy
to want it and never allow yourself the pleasure of having some.
One of my favorite lines is 'Just have lasagna and shut up!' "

Thanks, Loretta . . . methinks I'll do that now; i.e., stop
writing this review now and start eating some ice cream
instead . . . I'll even be quiet when I do so.

I would highly recommend this book...practical, inspiring and funny. Loretta helps you appreciate life!

Life is Short: Wear Your Party Pants by Loretta LaRoche is as delightfully funny as she herself is in her speaking engagements all over the country. Loretta learned early in her painful childhood to be the clown in the family to boost the spirits of the rest of the family members. Learning to deal with her own problems in a healthy way through laughter, she became an expert in helping others with her Ten Simple Thruths That Lead To An Amazing Life. These truths include resilience, living in the moment, optimism, acceptance, humor, creativity, moderation, responsibility, meaning, and connection. In each chapter she gives fun and resourceful ways to learn how to handle life using these great tools, with laughter being the key ingredient that helps relieve stress. You'll laugh at her and with her and at yourself as you read and practice her simple truths. And life WILL grow less stressful and lots more fun as you learn from her that when you turn your patter of being "stressed" around you get wonderful "desserts!"

Author and therapist Bill O'Hanlon has written a practical and compassionate book on how to get out of your ruts. I don't think that this book holds any threat of putting therapists out of business. His point seems to be that sometimes making small changes in behavior patterns can help unshackle people from dysfunctional behavior patterns.

Your past does not shackle you from making positive changes. Small changes can yield big payoffs.

Though it may turn off some, I also liked O'Hanlon's chapter on tapping into spirituality as a way to get untracked. He does this in a non-dogmatic way.

DOTD is a bit like chicken soup for the psyche - it won't hurt and it may help. Worth a read!!

I was able to pick out a thing or two from this book, but nothing that would really be especially helpful for more than a very brief period of time. I can see how this book might be helpful for someone who is simply stuck in a rut, but not necessarily for someone who is dealing with trauma. Depending on the situation of the reader, there are a few 'band-aid' type solutions that could provide a temporary distraction and it might also be helpful for someone who just needs, as the title states, some ideas for a bit of something different.

It's a pretty easy read and even if you don't get anything out of it the stories about other people are interesting enough to be entertaining!

After reading a bunch of novels in a row, I decided it was time for a non-fiction book. I'd had this one sitting on my shelf for a few years and figured I'd give it a try. The title had always appealed to me.

It was easy reading and had quite a few helpful ideas in it. Although the author applies the concept to many areas of life, the title really says it all: If you're experiencing a problem in your life, or if there's something wrong, don't keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results. "Do one thing different" and it will lead to other changes in your life that may or may not take care of the problem. If it does, great. Problem solved. If not, do another thing different and see what happens. Often, our repetitive, unconscious actions are responsible for a great deal of the difficulties in our lives, or so goes the theory.

That's the gist the theory, though its stretched out into a book. I found it somewhat repetitive after a while, though I like the concept and plan to apply it (in fact, already have to some success) whenever I notice some area of my life that could use some fixing up.

As a concept, I give it five stars; as a book, because it is watered down and stretched out in order to justify its price, I can only give it three stars. Still, the title idea is an interesting one...one I think anyone could benefit from at one point or another in their lives.

very informative and very uplifting. if you have ever been depressed and in theapy before, strongly recommend reading this one over and over again.

Love this book! I wasnt sure if I was taking the right path to becoming a dog trainer, but utilizing the resources in this book, I feel confident in my decisions. Very informative and realistic.

Excellent resource for trainers or those considering the field. Chock full of tips, guidelines and ethics. Extremely helpful in devising your business plan. You don't realize how many things you didn't think of until you read this book!

I was really excited to read this book. I kept a note pad by me to jot down all the great ideas that the book gives! Great info on starting your own business

This is an excellent source, full of useful advice on the ins and outs of putting together a dog training business. It does not go into training techniques, so you'll definitely need other books on methodology along with this one, which is strictly business. I think she's a bit conservative in her advice, which is probably necessary to publish and avoid liability. However, it can be a little discouraging to think that ALL OF THAT is necessary - just realize, it may not be. But it certainly has EVERYTHING you need!

Way to go, Nicole! She explains the business of dog training in a useful way! It explains some of the nuts and bolts of building a dog-training business as well as some useful manners and practical ethics.

I've been using Paint Shop Pro since version 9 and consider myself at the lower end of an advanced user.

I have seven Paint Shop Pro books proclaiming to teach you how to use the program. With the exception of Ken McMahon's book they all fall miserably short.

I was weary of ordering Robert's book thinking it would turn out to be just like the others that sit in the bookshelf collecting dust. Fear not his book isn't a dust collector.

I won't go over what's already been stated in the other reviews. This book is everything the publisher, author, and other reviewers claim it is.

One recommendation:

If you're a beginner to intermediate user of Paint Shop Pro I'd recommend getting Ken McMahon's book "Paint Shop Pro Photo For Photographers" along with this book. McMahon's book covers the program and it's use while Robert's book covers techniques for photo corrections. The combination of these two books will greatly reduce your frustrations and enhance your skills, knowledge & techniques of photo corrections and manipulation using Paint Shop Pro.


Thank You Robert for a great reference and teaching publication.

Others have written enthusiastically about this book. I concur!

I regularly must touch up photographs for web or print use including conversion to b/w for newspaper ads. I'd used PaintShop Pro since V5 for this task but with Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 and this book, everything I've done has moved forward by a quantum leap. People won't notice the fine differences in your work because of your better photographic presentation but it WILL show, and the advice/tips in this book will make you wish you'd found it years ago! I am SO pleased!!!!!

This book is great no matter what level of experience you have. This expands so much info on the corel program it is definitely worth purchasing...everyone that has this program should own this book. You won't be sorry. Seriously, buy it right now! 5 STARS! A+

A common lament among users of Corel's popular Paint Shop Pro series of photo editing programs is the lack of advanced tutorial material. Over time there have been a few professionally done video books and texts offered here and there, and author Robert Correll himself has put together two helpful video books based upon earlier versions of PSP, but in general those efforts concentrate on developing basic to low-level intermediate skills at best. Now Correll and Thomson Course Publishing (since become Cengage Learning) have come forth with an advanced PSP tutorial that goes well beyond the basics of photo repair titled Photo Restoration and Retouching Using Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo.

In his new tutorial Correll (the similarity in names Correll/Corel is pure coincidence) has assembled 73 photo projects, mostly casual photos of his wife and children along with those of assorted kinfolk who were smiling into the family cameras as far back as 1919. The color and black and white photographs presented here have suffered a host of indignities over the years; fading, overwriting and smudges of all kinds, scratches, tears and holes in addition to the usual technical defects caused by bad film, poor lighting or poor scanning techniques. There are, of course, the human flaws as well; a pimple here and there, nose hair, dandruff - it's all here in gory high resolution detail, and each Photo Study's source photo is made available for download upon request to the author. I should add that Correll makes himself readily accessible to his target audience via e-mail, keen on cheering them on in their photo restoration efforts.

Basically each Photo Study begins with a brief background about the subject(s) of the photo. Along the way you will meet the author and his wife Anne and their four small children who are introduced in a light-hearted fashion along with Uncle Jim and Grandpa Bud among others. Then the problems in the photo at hand are pointed out, and Correll begins his repair routine in a step-by-step fashion sometimes diverging to try alternative means of solving the issues being confronted. A pre-release version of PSPP X2 was used to do the repairs, but the included screenshots are taken from PSPP XI. I am still using PSP X, and for the most part had no problems following along though the capabilities of some of the tools in my older version differ slightly from those in the more recent PSPP X2. The Levels adjustment tool is one such example. The text and screenshots are of excellent quality and printed in color on high-gloss stock. My only niggle here is that my 73 year old eyes had difficulty discerning the small text shown in many dialogue boxes, and even my magnifying glass sometimes struggled to make out many of the dialogue settings which are not always specified in the explanatory text.

In Photo Study One the author throws the reader off the leaning tower and right into the heart of photo restoration and retouching with a very challenging photo repair study of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I would have preferred easing into things with a more merciful project, but so much for whining. Perhaps Correll was trying to instill from the get-go a necessary sense of patience and persistence which he emphasizes frequently while stressing the need to be discriminating about one's work. He also cautions a light touch that does not render restore operations obvious to the viewer.

One great advantage of the book for me was that I became acquainted with several tools that I had, frankly, not previously employed in my photo restore efforts since beginning to work with PSP about 6 or 7 months ago. The Saturation Up/Down and the Lighten/Darken tools are just two such. I was also introduced to the Displacement Map under the Effects menu. This looks like an interesting Effects routine that I intend to explore further. The final chapter of the book presents a few creative applications using some of the Effects menu options, but frankly the author only scratches the surface here, though his results are impressive. An imaginative author could easily employ the PSP Effects tools in a tutorial presented solely upon their own merits, and I am sure Mr. Correll would be the first to agree.

In addition to the photo exercises, Correll offers interesting background information about scanning photos, organizing and archiving them as well as helpful printing tips. He also interjects along the way a few useful editing tips and tricks that he has discovered through his personal experiences using PSP.

Does the author leave anything left unsaid? Well, in a word, yes. Not every tool and adjustment in the PSP arsenal is acknowledged its fifteen minutes of fame, though all the heavyweights certainly are, but there is an appendix to the book that does give a brief rundown of each and every tool. However, there is no mention of the hidden tools to be found in the Unused Commands section, some of which can be quite helpful in certain circumstances. Plug-ins are not touched upon nor is the use of scripts, even those pre-defined scripts included with PSP. The author has a tendency to use the High Pass Sharpen adjustment as opposed to the Unsharp Mask, but his reasons for this apparent preference are not stated. He also likes to work with photos in .tif format as opposed to the more common .jpg/.jpeg file format, but again reasons are not stated though I presume they have something to do with a lesser likelihood of introducing artifacts into a photo during the restoration/retouching process.

I personally would have liked to have seen Photo Studies that put to work a few PSP capabilities that I am largely unfamiliar with. In this category I would include the Hue Map tool, and a few exercises using the Create Mask from Image procedure would have been a very welcome addition. In fact, I would have liked to have seen a few more exercises using masks in general though there are 3 of them. Masking, I think, is a weak point for many, including even PSP buffs far more experienced than I am.

All in all, however, this is a powerful tutorial that ought to be a part of every PSP enthusiast's personal library - it is a text that is sure to be referred to again and again. It is my hope that Mr. Correll's tutorial does well in the marketplace thereby launching further PSP instructional texts from this very knowledgeable and photo-savvy author. In my book, Correll's tutorial, Photo Restoration and Retouching Using Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo, gets a well-deserved 5 stars.

As previously mentioned in other reviews this book assumes you know how to find your way around Paint Shop Pro. It's most compatible with versions X through photo X2. He doesn't go into any tools that aren't in all three of these versions so it covers the general usage of specific tools very well.

The author stresses the importance of not trying to "perfect" your photos. Giving good examples of doing things the right way, the wrong way, and stopping when the photo is "good enough." He explains himself very well and has a good method presenting the information.

His use of actual photos that he's fixed before, and has an actual personal connection with really brings this down to the average user who is just trying to fix those old photos and improve upon ones that didn't come out as well as they could have.

My only real criticism is more of a warning to those of you who learn as I do. I learn by example, or in other words I need to follow along with the book to properly get everything down just right. This book does not include a link for downloading these pictures that I have found so without your own photos to practice on as he goes over the different parts, if you learn like I do, will be difficult.

This book is far more about recognizing the different problems with photos and some tips and tricks and methods that the author himself has discovered that work very well. A lot of what he says comes from personal experience. And he goes through a trial and error process for most of the book demonstrating the different things you might try by using the number of effects options and hands-on tools. And he explains them all fairly well. He doesn't bore you with all of the technical aspects of the tools, he simply tells you what they do and gives you suggestions on their proper use.

All in all the book is excellent, he focuses on basic aspects and information rather than focusing on the photo in specific. If you're fixing cracks he won't go into depth about adjusting the contrast unless it's needed. If he's being artistic he won't lecture you on the proper use of the clone brush. He focuses on the task at hand and only the task at hand. Helping you to identify the various aspects of restoring and retouching a photo individually.

I would suggest this to anyone wanting to use Paint Shop Pro to correct photos.

If you're learning design, this is a great way to start. It lays out the basics and has numerous interviews with current designers. It will help lead you toward a career in design if you pay attention to all their clues. It has many different examples of different design fields, so you can decide which one interests you most. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the color layout. For a design book, it should be more aesthetically pleasing, but it had only black, white, and green. I'm sure that's to keep cost down though.

This might be a good book for someone who don't have any design experience. I was looking for direction in how to begin as a novice with some training rather than starting from scratch. This book is for those who would say, "Hmm should I get into graphic design? Where do I start I no absoultely nothing?". The description just wasn't very helpful to me.

I do agree with the previous reviewer that this book does not have practical advice in terms of performing graphic design related duties. There are plenty of books out there that you can acquire that will outline the process of designing, design elements etc... such as "The Elements of Graphic Design" by Alex. W. White.

However, this book as its sub-title clearly states is "A Guide to Careers in Design", and in that regards performs very well in outlining the myriad of different fields and industries that Graphic Designers are involved in. Also, they interview many key figures involved in these fields and pick their brain regarding the state of design, dynamics of their respective industry and also how one should best approach beginning a career as a designer.

I found the book invaluable in that it was like having wise uncles in dozens of different design industries and having a talk with you about, "How things really work." Somewhat light reading but still quite informative.

The Big Moo feels like a collection of blog posts from several thinkers that have gained Godin's attention, a merit which speaks for itself. I love the idea of forming books around small, cohesive articles based on a theme; I wish there were more of these. This one's theme basically is "think differently and be inspired." It's worthy of going back to whenever you get into a rut. Things that stand out about this book:

* unique and varied writing styles
* short and sweet
* concision -- not enough space to drag out a point
* anecdotal stories
* entertaining
* thought-provoking
* inspiring

My favorite posts:

* Chopping Onions (differentiation)
* When Everything Is Free (open source model everywhere)
* They Say I'm Extreme (be very different)
* Be Like Reggie (exceptional service)
* Isaac Newton's Head (importance of naming)
* What Do You Stand For (perseverance)

I have to stop here with just that sampling; it's hard to exclude many from a "favorites" list. So many gems!

I really wish the articles were individually online since they make great links, and warrant further discussion. Wouldn't that be the purple way? Maybe someone will devote a blog to expanding their topics.

Mr. Godin makes a valid point about superstar Harry Houdini. As a magician, he was a great escape artist. When he opted to play to his strengths with escapes that were public spectacles, he became world famous. One point that may be missed in the discussion of Houdini was that he was a tireless self-promoter, something that contributed to his name recognition even now, some eighty-two years later.

And this is a marketed book for sure. The book itself is very easy to read, one of the reasons may be that there's not so much in the book itself. Really it's not even a book, more a large booklet, but if you like the kind of "on my desk - random manual for everyday business life" - buy it.

I bought this book, cause other Seth Godin books offer extremely important insight in today's business and marketing.

This book does not. It's a list of semi-inspiring stories from "business leaders". Most of them are rather obvious and don't offer the type of knowledge/usefulness that are characteristic for other Seth Godin books.

I don't know what came over me in the bookstore. Mysteriously, when I got home, this book was at the bottom of the bag. It's an embarrassment.

I would have thought it impossible to come up with something more stupid, more openly contemptuous of the very managers purportedly being 'helped', than the horrendous "Who Moved My Cheese?" of a few years back. You remember, the one which portrayed employees as mildly retarded rodents. But one shouldn't underestimate the intellectual arrogance of the consultant class, nor the gullibility of corporate management.

This book is infinitely worse. It turns out that there is no apparent limit to the degree of atrocity of the rubbish that can be generated (and printed) in an "unprecedented collaboration of the world's smartest business thinkers". Despite the separation of material in this book into separate chapters, there is no individual attribution of responsibility for the individual chapters. This is not a good sign.

Seth Godin, the nominal 'editor', obviously sees no problem in publishing a book which, for any concrete piece of strategic advice that is included, hedges its bets by also advising the diametrically opposing strategy. Thus, to succeed companies should:

1a. Stick with what they know and do it well. (Focusing on your specialty is key).
1b. Not get stuck in the rut of what they know, they should branch out. (Focusing on your specialty is fatal)
2a. (page 23) "ignore your customers" (the customer is ignorant and wrong).
2b. (page 64) the customer is always right.
3a. (page 31) "Every organization that gets into trouble falters because it waited too long to change...". (urgency is crucial)
3b. (page 136) "Remarkable doesn't always mean right now" (urgency is detrimental).

And so on. Because chapter authors are not individually identified, should your coin toss happen to choose the wrong option between 1a and 1b, 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b, there can be no assignable blame.

However, at least the examples above have the virtue of giving concrete, specific advice. If that makes you nervous, there is also plenty of this kind of gibberish:

Plant rocks.
Embrace the power of storytelling.
Ignore the regulations. (I'm trying to imagine how this would play out in, say, the pharmaceutical or biotech industries).
Imagine there's a tiger loose in your office. Breathe the fear. Fear is good.
You are not a cog. You are not ordinary. In fact, you are remarkable.


But if you're dumb enough to buy this book, you're a complete moron. Even by the extraordinarily lax standards for business advice books, it sets a new low.

Zero stars.

I was browsing at the library when this book caught my eye. For several months I had felt Tired, to the point I was starting to get depressed about it. It was beginning to interfere with everything I did.
This book lists symptoms of not enough sleep and dehydration- now I'm sure I was suffering from both. Also listed were lots of good tips for getting more sleep. (I figured out how to drink more water by myself.) :) This is pretty basic, but so helpful! After all, a perfectly prioritized schedule is worthless if you don't have the energy to do your tasks.
Once you get your engine started, the author helps you feel a sense of accomplishment everyday by striking a dynamic bargain with yourself-
"What would it take for me to feel good about ending work on time today?"
He helps you determine long-term goals and break them down into plans with built in rewards and vacations. This is a good thing to know how to do. In the book, Get Hired Now! A 28-Day Program for Landing the Job You Want, a study is mentioned involving the 1979 Harvard MBA program. Students were asked, "Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?"
3% had written goals and plans
13% had goals, but not in writing
84% had no specific goals at all
10 years later...
the 13% who had goals were earning TWICE as much as the 84% who had no goals. The 3% who had clear, written goals were earning TEN times as much as the other 97% put together.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Time outlines how to do what the 3% were doing.
I only give this 4 stars because I was perfectly happy to take 2 pages of notes and return it to the library- not something I'll reference frequently enough to buy, but still, a helpful book.

I was pleasantly surprised. At first I thought this was going to be a too light treatment to a topic that's important to me. Even though the author does take a humorous approach, I guess the whole series of idiot's guides takes a humorous approach, nevertheless, I found the tips to be hard hitting and practical. If I had this earlier in my career I might have saved a whole lot of time on stuff that for all practical purposes was a waste of time.
I don't know why the previous reader gave such a bad review, I think they were talking about another book!

I encountered the Dummy's version of Time Management and was of disappointed. It seemed like it was just one ad after and another for the various products that the author was touting. The Idiot's version of Time Management in comparison is devoted to the reader. I didn't detect that the author had any affiliations with any products or services, and even if he does, it doesn't come through in these pages. Instead, I encountered one chapter after another of sound logic, action steps, and encouragement. If the book is lacking in any area it would be on using technology to enhance your use of time. But, you can always make the argument that tools of technology change so fast, that such discussion is better handled in newspaper and magazine articles anyways. The bottom line, this is an excellent book on time management and certainly worth the time it takes to read it.

The author's target audience seems to be salaried employees working unpaid overtime, who are overweight, out of shape, watch too much TV and get too little sleep. His solution to the unpaid overtime is to lie to your employer and coworkers about how much you work at home, use oversized containers to take work home so it looks like more, schedule outside appointments late in the dy so you can just go home, etc. A lot of the book is aimed at helping people take better care of themselves and get their priorities in order, which I applaud. But that isn't what I was looking for in a time management book. I was looking for practical strategies for organizing my work and time, which it is thin on. It has some, and there are some very good ideas in there, but not really much more than a good magazine article.

Dear Frazzled, Time-Pressed, Never-Have-an-Extra-Second Reader,

If freeing up oodles of time and breaking bad time-use habits is of interest to you, then read on--you have come to the right place. As the commercial goes, "You've got questions, I've got answers!"

Welcome to the third edition of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Time. Understandably, this book is more useful than the second edition, and much more updated than the first. More than 160,000 of the first two editions are now in print. (I have always relied on the kindness of strangers--book buyers--to do their part: buy dozens and dozens of copies for your immediate family, best friends, and for special occasions such as graduation, weddings, funerals, retirement parties, baby showers, and Groundhog Day.)

Now, well into the 21st century, it's no secret that everywhere you look, for everyone you know, the pace of life has sped up and seemingly is getting faster all the time. Watching people drive SUVs as they speed around crowded intersections with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the cell phone is not a pretty sight. The juggling and struggling of people seeking to get a lot of things done in a hurry makes for some questionable behaviors, some of them risky, some merely silly. All such behaviors are driven by the same basic notion--there is too much to do and too little time in which to do it.

I don't blame you if you're leery of tackling a large book. After all, this one contains more than 300 pages. Yet, once you start perusing the pages, you'll see that this is an easy read. I'm on your side; I did not create more work for you by making a text that is hard to read and whose advice is hard to apply. Each chapter tackles a particular issue related to the overall theme of managing your time.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Time is loaded with insights and witticisms that ring true and that you'll be able to apply to the everyday issues you face. I don't lay on a ton of rules that you're supposed to memorize and apply around the clock. You don't need that kind of assignment--you're already very busy! Rather, I offer a handful of guiding principles that work in pretty much any situation, any time, for anyone who draws upon them.

My goal in writing this book is to offer you a solid framework for taking charge of your time by offering practical, commonsensical, fresh approaches for seizing control of your day, year, life, and maybe even your afterlife. You won't have to get up at 4:30 a.m., spend a small fortune, surround yourself with high-tech gadgets, or clone yourself.

If you're like most people, you want to finish your day's work and still have a life. You want to reclaim your weekends for leisure and fun-filled activities. You want to embark on invigorating, relaxing vacations. In short, you want to win back your time so that you can have a life!

Within these 27 chapters, there are dozens upon dozens of tips, suggestions, and recommendations. Not all of them will apply to everybody. Some may rub you the wrong way, some may be totally out of reach, and some may represent ideas that don't seem palatable to you. That's okay--what's vital is that there are enough tips and suggestions that do fit your scheme of doing things, that aid you in controlling your time, and that enhance the quality of your day.

When it comes to reading this book, you have lots of options! You can read the whole thing from cover to cover (the way I read books) and you'll do quite well. You will find the text to be witty, though entirely readable and hard-hitting. You have the option of reading a chapter at a time, not necessarily in chronological order. For example, you may have some burning issue that's addressed in one of the middle chapters of the book. In that case, plunge in right there! You can always go back to the earlier chapters. Take action where and when it makes the most sense.

You also have the option of dabbling. Open the book to any single page or paragraph at random and simply begin reading. I promise that you'll benefit no matter where you start because every page and passage is packed with high-octane insights and suggestions.

As you begin to master managing your time, subtly, almost imperceptibly, you'll experience positive, significant differences in your life. Indeed, the world takes on a totally different hue when you build some slack into your days and stay in control.

All the best to you on your personal and exciting journey to reclaiming your life, year, month, week, day, and now as you become a master at managing your time.