Recommended Reading for Professional Organizers
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There’s a wealth of information online about just everything under the sun, but nothing beats diving into a good book! This post includes a number of suggestions to help you find your next read.
Many of the titles will be of special interest to those who are starting a professional organizing business, but most will be of interest to organizers at all levels of experience.
Before writing the exam to become certified or recertified by The Board of Certification for Professional Organizers, you must meet certain eligibility requirements in terms of education and experience. Whether you’re planning to write the exam or not, it’s recommended that you continually read materials that will help you build upon your existing knowledge base.
Books for New Organizers
If you’re planning to start an organizing business, here are a few titles for you to check out, recommended by readers of Your Organizing Business and myself.
The Ultimate Guide For Professional Organizers by Maria Gracia
The Professional Organizer’s Bible – Volume 1: Getting Started by Ramona Creel
Books about Organizing
Here are a few of my personal favorites. Please keep in mind that I’ve been out of the profession for a while, so I haven’t read any of the latest and greatest!
Books about Time Management
Check out my book reviews for more suggestions.
Did I miss your favorite?
If there’s a book you’ve found especially valuable in your organizing business, please tell us about it in the Comments.
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I recommend...
Thanks for the list. I have read a few, but now have more on my reading list. I purchased Gmail Tips, Tricks and Tools. Could always learn more ways to be productive! The organizing and time management books by Julie Morgenstern are must reads. The best.
I hope you find it informative. It really helped me make a smooth transition from Outlook to Gmail. Here’s the post I wrote at that time – I’d love to know your thoughts!
An hour spent reading is never wasted! We are big readers in my family. I often listen to books or even podcasts while walking, doing mindless tasks and driving. These are all great suggestions, and there are many more out there. I’ve always liked “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey.
I also love to read, but I don’t read as many business books as I’d like. I haven’t even read “The 7 Habits…” though I know it’s a classic.
I highly recommend Maria Gracia’s “The Ultimate Guide For Professional Organizers“. It’s one of the first books I read when I was starting my professional organizing business over 13 years ago. When the update came out in 2009, I was proud to have been a contributor to the book. You can check out my case study which appears on Page 281. I also recommend the books written by Peter Walsh. He was always someone I looked up to and followed over the years. That you for inspiring us all to continue reading and learning. We can always learn something new, whether we are just starting out or have been in the business for years.
Congratulations, Audrey! That’s definitely something to be proud of.
Great list of books, Janet. Thanks for putting this together.
I find that when I read organizing books it’s hard for me to read the book from cover to cover because I find organizing a “doing” activity. But, I do use them as research when working on a particular area of organizing.
How to Organize (Just About) Everything and Julie Morgenstern’s books make excellent reference material.
Great list Janet! Many of these I’ve read, and now I have some to add to my list! It’s also a great list to share with my NAPO peeps!
I’d appreciate that – thank you!
I love Julie Morgenstern! I formatted a whole presentation after her Organizing from the Inside Out book. The New Messies Manual intrigues me, may have to head to the library now!
It’s an oldie (published in 1981), but it’s a fun read. On the back, it says:
“This book is for you if:
Your ten-year-old son disappeared while attempting to clean out the basement
You never answer the phone because you can’t find it
Your dog prefers sleeping in the dog house, but has to beat out the family
Hi Janet, one book that I love that I recommend to others is Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui. It’s a quick and easy read and inspiring. It will get you off the couch and doing the work. Lol
“It will get you off the couch and doing the work.” – that’s pretty impressive!
In addition to those you and other commenters have already suggested, here are a few more I’ve found to be helpful or inspirational:
Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash, by Vickie Dellaquila
Clever Girl’s Guide to Living with Less, by Kathy Vines
It’s All Too Much, by Peter Walsh
Getting Organized in the Era of Endless, by Judith Kolberg
Business/Self-Improvement:
The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve never heard of Jeff Olson or his book – may have to check it out.
Janet,
Thank you very much for listing Get Rich Organizing under your recommended reading for Professional Organizers! I plan to update and add more information in a new release slated for 2018–with a new title too! I’ll let you know when it is available.
I also recommend the following books:
Conquering Chronic Disorganization by Judith Kolberg
The ICD Guide to Challenging Disorganization For Professional Organizers
The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels
Great recommendations – thank you!
The new edition of Anne’s book is now available under the title Mastering the Business of Organizing. I haven’t read it, but the first one was excellent so I’m sure this one’s even better!