Additional information
| Author | Kerry Gleeson |
|---|
The personal efficiency program
By Kerry Gleeson (1994)
What the internet says
Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.
Overall reception: Mixed reception
The Personal Efficiency Program by Kerry Gleeson receives generally positive reception across review platforms, with an average rating of 3.52/5 on Goodreads from 180 ratings. Readers consistently praise the book's core philosophy of 'Do It Now' and its practical approach to reducing procrastination and workplace clutter. The program emphasizes acting on tasks immediately rather than creating reminder systems, organizing physical and digital files systematically, and implementing structured planning processes. Many reviewers report significant improvements in productivity and stress reduction after applying the techniques.
However, the book faces notable criticism for dated content, particularly regarding technology references to tools like Blackberry, Palm Pilots, floppy disks, and MS Lotus Notes that are no longer relevant. Multiple reviewers note that while the core concepts remain valuable, the implementation details feel outdated for modern work environments. The book is especially praised by those in traditional office settings dealing with paper-based workflows, but readers outside corporate environments find much of the specialized advice less applicable. Several reviewers recommend reading only the first few chapters for the essential concepts, as later sections become repetitive or overly focused on specific office scenarios.
What readers loved
- Core 'Do It Now' philosophy effectively addresses procrastination and creates immediate behavioral change
- Practical, actionable advice with specific filing systems and organizational techniques that can be implemented immediately
- Helps reduce workplace stress and creates sense of control over workload
- Excellent guidance on email organization and handling interruptions
- Strong emphasis on goal planning and focusing on essential tasks rather than busywork
- Valuable for people in traditional office/corporate environments with heavy paperwork
- Straightforward writing style with useful case studies and real client examples
Common critiques
- Severely outdated technology references (Blackberry, Palm Pilots, floppy disks, MS Lotus Notes) that distract from core concepts
- Requires implementing numerous redundant reminder systems, folders, and tools that may not actually increase efficiency
- Content becomes repetitive in later chapters with overlapping advice
- Highly specialized for corporate office environments, less applicable to other work situations or personal life
- Some readers find the system too complex and time-consuming to maintain
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.