Linenberger does it again.

If, like me, you've struggled with applying the excellent ideas from David Allen & Stephen Covey then this is the book for you. I have read many titles in this genre but it is Linenberger's advice that passes the test of time. He has an uncanny nack of addressing the problems in workflow management that have been nagging at you, and offers solutions that just work. No need for fancy software, his techniques work with the tool you already have to hand - Microsoft Outlook.

Stop reading this review already and purchase this title - you will not be disappointed!

I find this book, especially the second edition, to be so helpful with my ongoing attempts to get better organized.

The new task views (Now-Tasks, Defer-to-Review Tasks, Goals, etc.), as well as subtle changes to the TaskPad/ToDo Bar, make it much easier to stay focused on what needs to be done now, while giving reassurance that everything else is still within the system and that each task will appear in its own due time.

Thanks for a great tool and for THE manual on processing and managing tasks.

Most recommended!

I know that you've heard it before..."This book has changed my life...yada yada yada". But the truth is, this book has really changed the way I organize my work life. Everything is now more organized, easier to manage, and simplier. It that's not life changeing I don't know what is.
If you're busy, and you use Outlook to help you stay in control. This book is a definate 'must have'.
They have very clear instructions to customize Outlook but being the lazy person I am, I bought the software and glad that I did.

This is an excellent book. I appreciated the first edition, but, as with most of the task management systems I've investigated, it really didn't work for me on a practical, day-by-day basis. I found myself beating myself up for not following the system...one more task that I wasn't getting to.

What he lays out in the second edition is a very different approach, one that works well for me. It seems to match the way my brain approaches daily and longer-term tasks. Highly recommended!!

This is a great book. I started using the parts of the book as I went along and within a week I was really organized for the first time in my life! All of the setup directions are very clear and the methods that he relates work well.

If you look at your Outlook inbasket as an iceberg where you constantly dust off the newest items from the top, and occasionally make dents in the hundreds of items below, this book will help you.

I had read Getting Things Done and First Things First and felt like I had the concepts but after years of trying, I could just never put anything into practice. This book gives you a system to use with very complete instructions. I won't describe how it works, there are plenty of other reviews here that do that. But I will share what my experience was...

I have to admit I was cynical; I had tried the commonly-used Do-Delete-Delegate-Defer method of attacking my inbasket. Sounds nice but I can't complete the action needed on most emails in 2 minutes, so in the end, I would turn 100 e-mails in my inbasket into 90 deferred items that I still had to get done, and I would just keep dumping more and more items onto that Defer pile.

What really clicked for me when I used the TWC methods from the book (and made me realize the problem was procrastination), was the idea to turn every e-mail that I couldn't handle right away into a Task. Instead of just thinking "I'll get to that email later" and filing it in the Defer pile as some systems teach, the ideas taught in this book forced me to ask myself what it is I need to do to act on this email, and if it was several actions, then I would just write down what the next single step was, and file that as the Task name.

Instead of hundreds of emails with vague subject lines, and every email triggering an "I gotta send Steve those performance numbers" or "I gotta call Joe about this email" mental stress bomb in your head as you scan through your inbasket, you actually turn the email into a task titled "Send Steve performance data", categorize it, then file it into a special holding file. You can then use categories, due dates, flags, and other things to help you act on that more manageable list. What you'll most likely find, especially if you are a procrastinator, is that it's a lot easier to tackle the emails when you read them as actionable steps. Deferring items just to get them out of your inbasket isn't any good if you never act on them; this system gives you the way to act on them.

Deleting spam, delegating things (if you can), and deferring items are easy. But you still need to act on those emails that you have set for working later, and this is the first book I've read that really focuses on how to do that.

Once you've experienced that feeling of seeing your inbasket empty, it becomes addictive... you want to keep on top of it, so going weed whacking through your inbasket to get down to zero becomes a habit. And when the next time you look, you see 20 new emails, you will find yourself ripping through these new ones, asking yourself the same question over and over, about what it is you need to do on this.

I highly recommend this book.

I am about two-thirds of the way implementing the full system outlined in this book, but am starting to see real improvement. I am able to track tasks, follow up with tasks and focus on the priority for each day, which helps me leave work feeling I have addressed the 'must dos' rather than being unsure of what I should be working on. I was even able to get my email inbox down to 12 emails on Friday! I look forward to working the system more thoroughly to be even more productive.

I researched and downloaded many different task management systems and was excited to see a book focused on Outlook, as that is what I use at work. I can keep a copy of everything on my Palm and then sync it to my Mac at home. I'm thrilled to use just one system for all my computers, at work and home. This is the first task management system that is simple enough to use and sophisticated enough to be effective that has really worked for me.

I have struggled with keeping tabs on all of the daily tasks, project work and responsibilities of the eight direct reports that I have. When adding on my own non-managerial work (we're a small shop so both of us in IT management have of non-management projects assigned to us), things become exponentially more complicated. In an act of desperation, I purchased a copy of this book which was recommended by one of the directors in my organization. As a self-proclaimed "bucket" thinker, he highly recommended this system to keep tracks of everything actionable task and responsibility within his purview as a manager.

I read through the book in a matter of a few days and was able to start implementing the system in the fourth chapter. As I continued to read, it became easier to use the concepts as email arrived and I digested notes and actions items from meetings. I have implemented just about everything in the book, although I am using a hybrid email filing system that seems to work well for me.

I have shared the system with several of my staff who have come to me asking for assistance in keeping track of their wide variety of tasks. So far, I've heard only positive praise. One of my staff commented that this is the best task management system he's ever tried to use. I couldn't agree more.

This is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in an easy time management system. While most of the Outlook functions mentioned in this book are not new, how to use them and when may not be common knowledge. While I haven't been able to completely implement all of his recommendations, this is a very easy system to incorporate into your daily routine and can improve your productivity within minutes of use.

I picked this up when I was browsing the business section and the description of the problems that we all have with too many tasks and e-mail fit myself and my co-workers exactly. I followed the instructions for reconfiguring the way I use Outlook tasks and it started helping me get organized right away. I have only had the book for a week and I am getting ready to try the e-mail organization using categories. I am definitely recommending this to all of my co-workers.

This book is a very quick read and very useable. You can either read in detail and really understand Linenberger's overall system (based on GTD) or just dip in and get outlook optimally set up.

The hardest thing I found about it is to implement this system when you have an executive assistant who also accesses your email. In this instance using Personal Folders as Linenberger suggests doesn't work since the other user will not see them or be able to file to them. Many of the tips in the book seem to assume that you are a lone user.

However, overall I found the book very useful as a GTD fan and a new Outlook user. Quick and easy results.

I've practiced David Allen's system for about a year now, but still couldn't get the "techy" end of it working smoothly. After only a week on Michael's system, my stress level is low, I'm leaving the office at the end of the day with my Daily Task list empty, and my inbox flutters around 5-6 items (previously getting my inbox under 100 was an accomplishment). Michael walks you step-by-step through the implementation of the system. My only words of advice: If you're going to do it, commit 100% -- do not ease up or the inherent trust you have in the system will collapse.

This book is a great way to learn how to manage your Outlook e-mail in an easy to follow, step-by-step methodology. I had taken David Allen's seminar, Getting Things Done, and this book really helped to close the loop on implimentation. Well worth the time and money spent.

I am a professor at a major research university in the US. I have struggled with dealing with multiple tasks and emails for years...until I have embraced the fantastic system described in this great book. If you use Outlook as your major portal for email and tasks, you MUST read this book. The approach here is logical and work for you. It is that good.

David Drake

I have been using Michael Linenberger's system for about 3 months now and my productivity has increased tenfold. With this system, I have a way to track important tasks and I feel that I am on top of my job.

I TOTALLY agree with all of the 5 star reviews...after struggling with David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD) system for 6-9 months I finally found what really works.

In this book you'll get an actual implementation that works--meaning a regularly empty inbox (and I deal with hundreds of emails a week), a fantastic way to organize and systematically get dozens of tasks (including those you delegate to others with a perfect way to close open loops) w/ a corresponding sense of accomplishment and feeling of being on top of it that is incredible.

I have done it all: Day Timer, Covey's system, used Palm Pilots, etc and nothing has ever even come close to Michael Linenberger's system.

As a bonus, I'm now finally able to use my Treo PDA to add, edit or delete tasks on the fly (i.e. day or night, when I'm away from my desktop computer, anywhere in the world) while constantly syncing in real time with our company Exchange Server via GoodLink.

I have already recommended this to 11 of my staff and they are ecstatic with the fact that they too have a empty inbox, no more sticky notes, a wonderful feeling of being in control, less stress, etc.

My only request is for the author to get out a version of this book that is 100% targeted/customized for Outlook 2007 ASAP.

As a person who practically lives in Outlook, this book has provided me with many tips and ideas on how to use the product better. Outlook has many capabilities hidden from the person who does not have the time or desire to study every technical nuance of the software. This book distills a lot of useful information into easily digestible chunks that you can make use of directly or build upon to suit your personal needs. If you use Outlook to help manage your computer-based life, this book should be on your desk.

I read David Allen's GTD and struggled to incorporate into my e-World. I then read TWC and eagerly jumped on board. It was exactly what I needed and in 1/2 a day I was reconfigured and recategorized with an inbox that read zero. I am a convert and preacher. I recently had Michael come in to address my group of 60 field scientists who often are challenged with email, follow up and loosing their drive. I am still getting compliment and people are excited to get back to work. EXCITED! To get back to email! Well worth the book, the live session. I even picked up some more pearls that has further increased my productivity thanks to x1!

I thought I knew most of the tricks on making my day productive. But Michael's book was a great eye opener. The book is well written, easy to follow and provides simple but practical methods to make your Outlook life easier. This is a definite read for anyone who is in the corporate world and gets lots of email. Thanks!

A colleague of mine recommended I get the book TOTAL WORKDAY CONTROL USING MICROSOFT OUTLOOK. I help operate 5 companies and found that the recommendations in this book are terrific in terms of integrating tasks along with the calendar function. The techniques eliminate paper post-it notes, organize tasks so that they prompt at the proper time, and yet keep the Microsoft Outlook Calendar clear of non-appointment type items. These techniques really do help personal productivity. I strongly recommend reading this book and trying its suggestions

Prior to reading and using the tools and techniques introduced in this book, my desk, PDA and laptop were covered with notes, reminders, and post-its as a means to keep ahead of my demanding job and schedule. Now, each day I track my tasks and meeting schedules quickly and easily, and I have control of my work day. This book provides the tools, and the discipline, to keep me ahead of the game. Most importantly, my colleagues have noticed the difference, and have picked up a copy of Michael Linenberger's book to improve their hectic schedules.

This is a great book for anyone that uses Outlook. There are great tips in here whether you're a basic user or someone who has been using it for years. The writing is easy to follow and remember. You won't get this kind of advice from anyone else. I'm constantly coming back to it and finding new tips. I'm sure this will be a valuable asset on your desk.

This book was a complete failure.

The author promises efficiency but doesn't address the use of hot keys to shorten simple tasks such as creating new tasks, filing email, and creating tasks from email.

His use of Categories to file email would leave one with a huge Master Category List that would be difficult to use.

The author occasionally refers to GTD by David Allen but Allen's methods are much more elegant.

To someone looking for improvements to Outlook I would point to a pamphlet (20 pages or so) on David Allen's website. Of course, one must have studied Allen's GTD book first. This is all that's needed.

I have always been the type of person who gradually accumulates up to 2,000 messages in my In-Box and continually wastes valuable work time looking for key e-mails that are buried somewhere in that mess. Trying to organize all that has always seemed an impossible task ("wasting" even more of my work day)so I have simply surrendered to E-mail Gridlock and condsidered it an unavoidable irritation. Until now. This book gave me the steps to clean out my inbox without losing valuable information and to keep it clean on an ongoing basis. The task that seemed so impossible proceeded easily on a step by step basis. Now I'm able to keep the contents of my inbox to a day or so of e-mail on an ongoing basis and develop a workable list of "to-do's" that actually get done every day!

Michael Linenberger's book provides very practical advice to leverage Outlook to its fullest. Would you expect Microsoft to do that for you? His approach allows you to quickly convert e-mail into tasks and work the tasks in a prioritized manner. I would recommend to anyone who is swimming in e-mail.

I've tried them all and the thing about Michael's approach is that it not only works with a product I'm already familiar with and use extensively every day (Outlook) but it's also a system I can use without major disruptions to my work life - it just works. By implementing this approach I've gone from well over 1,000 emails in my in box to the point where I can now leave at the end of the day with less than 10. I'm also much more relaxed knowing that I have a handle on all the items I need to work on. My workload certainly isn't any smaller, but I'm no longer seriously stressed out about the great cloud of ill defined and perhaps unknown tasks and worrying about what I might be missing.

In short, this approach has transformed my work life, so much so that we arranged to have Michael come in for 2 days and train our entire staff. Those who have embraced the system report similar gains in productivity and reductions in stress.

Also, Michael's website and regular newsletters help reinforce the material and add insights as he learns new principles or updates the system when a new release of Outlook (like 2007) comes out. It keeps the material and system alive and relevant instead of slowing slipping into irrelevancy.

I can't recommend this book enough.

Because I was being swamped by my email and tasks in my new job, I read several time management books and attended a (Covey-based) seminar but none of them addressed my immediate need to get my work under control. Linenberger's diagnosis (in his intro) of what might be causing this was so accurate that it seemed he must have been sitting in my office watching me work for the last six months. The book contains easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for setting up Outlook to work with his system. I have been using it for about six months now and it is working great - I am getting my high priority tasks completed and my stress level is much lower! I subsequently read David Allen's "Getting Things Done" (for help with my files) and have found that Linenberger's system is quite compatible with Allen's other ideas and, in fact, is an excellent way to use Outlook to implement most of Allen's ideas about issues other than files. I am very enthusiastic about Linenberger's system and have recommended this book to many of my colleagues without hesitation.

Easy to read, and pracical. Guidance on how to set up tasks is great. Have maintained my inbox to less that 5 items for three weeks since setting up the system. A good book that is worth the investment.

This book is just so much blah, blah, blah. I mean, I wasted a whole day reading this, it gave nothing useful enough to justify taking the time to read it. If you really want to organize and manage your workday, and tasks, I highly recommend David Allen - Getting Things Done.

There are more than enough reviews here to give you a concrete idea of this book's contents. I write for one reason. If, like me, you've moved to Outlook 2007, I can surely understand why you're trolling these pages for a textbook helper. I want you to KNOW: this book remains *tops* for that version as well. The book's chapter on precisely how to set up OL won't be of much help, given new features and interface. But, simply google the author's name with these two words: OL2007 transition. Click the hit which reads "Transition to OL2007", and have this book at hand. The author tells you which page to start on, where to stop to read his Web-based addition instead, and then what page to return to for setup completion.

Suffice to say, whether you're a GTD fan or not, this book is, well, the best of its genre-- no contest! I moved two years ago, from the East Coast to the South. Part of that move involved donating my library to a charity-- in excess of 100 boxes. I kept only one box of books, and Michael's text was among the few keepers.

Finally, I try very hard not to engage in negativity when I'm posting, so read between the lines here. Prior to discovering the described update, I purchased two other OL2007 books. Marc Orchant's "Guide" is also an extremely worthy read, as it covers several things Michael does not. Michael's book is more of a productivity-focused text, while Marc's has more of a general how-to flavor. Combined, you can't go wrong. There's also the new June 2007 text by Sally McGhee. If you get the latter, get it from Amazon, since it has a generous return policy. Nuff said.

I had been using David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' for about a year before picking up this book. I was struggling with a few facets of my "next action" lists, and this book was the answer. The daily task views prescribed by Linenberger now allow me to plan things far in advance and have the tasks "show up" only when I'm ready to work on them. His simple separation of Master Tasks and Daily Tasks was also helpful to me.

I now use a combination of GTD and Total Workday Control and it is perfect for me. I am more productive now, and lose track of almost nothing (only time is when I forget to write things down!). These two systems can be combined at some level for anyone's personal style for a mastery of productivity. Now it's just up to me to figure out what it is I want to do!

I recommend searching for a list of shortcut keys for Outlook. This greatly enhances the ability to create tasks to track everything. I can create a task with the subject, set the due date (or "do date", as Linenberger calls it), the priority, and the category (GTD uses task categories) all in about 5 seconds.

The best book I have read that integrates Outlook and the implementation of project management.

Works great as a follow up for "Getting Things Done". Easy step by step methods of customizing Outlook tasks.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how to use Outlook to make your workday more efficient. It provides a great foundation for other ides to grow from as well. Finding past e-mails is a breeze so I don't print as many for filing as I had in the past.

Good overview, tips are useful without requiring a bunch of new software applications. You get instructions on configuring Outlook step by step.