Organizing You

Finding Your Spiritual Clutter and Using Organization to Clear It Out

Christian - Non-Fiction
264 Pages
Reviewed on 10/27/2013
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Shannon Upton is a Christian Speaker, author, and blogger. Shannon is passionate about helping women to clear the clutter out of their schedules, homes, and spirits. Shannon delights in speaking to women’s groups about becoming just “organized enough” to live an abundant life in Christ! For more information about Shannon’s ministry, visit organizingjesusmoms.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

Is your mind as full of clutter as things in your home? Would you love for your home to run smoothly and peacefully? Then Shannon Upton has the answers for you in her new book, Organizing You. Following the help Shannon has for each of us in this book, your mind and spirit can be free of the clutter that is always lurking there. She weaves unique organizational skills and techniques along with personal stories and the scriptures to strengthen your faith as you live your everyday life. I really enjoyed Shannon Upton’s delightful approach in writing this valuable book. She begins with organizing your home and spirit, goes to your goals, chores, organizing fun family times, your ideas, and your relationships. She pretty much tackles every aspect of your life, and she does it in a fun and enjoyable way.

This book is very well organized and formatted. Throughout the entire book, you will find scripture verses to help reinforce what you are reading. At the end of the chapters, there is a section called Giving Thoughts to Your Ways, which really made me think about what I read in each chapter, and about how I can be better organized in my life. My organizational skills are horrible, so I found several things in this book that would help me. The first thing I plan to try is a daily planner. Ms. Upton gives a lot of helpful tips and encouragement for having a daily planner, so I am excited to try this idea. I really want to encourage you to pick up a copy of this wonderful book. It has really helped me in better organizing my time and my spiritual life. You will be delightfully pleased with what you find here.

Mamta Madhavan

Organizing You - Finding Your Spiritual Clutter and Using Organization to Clear It Out by Shannon Upton is a motivational and inspirational book which will be uplifting for many readers. This guide will tell you how to organize your life and make you feel feel better in it. The organizational techniques and personal stories make the book an interesting read.

This book tells you how to reduce stress in your life. It is a book that you will feel like rereading and referring to the advice given. There is a lot of wisdom and interesting tips on how to make your living simple and easy; and how to organize your life in a manner that brings spiritual harmony and peace into your daily existence.

This guide helps you gain control of your life. These days, everyone leads chaotic lives. Their personal and work schedules hardly leave them with any time for themselves and their families. Books like this are refreshing for one's mind and psyche. It gives many of us hope, especially if we lead disorganized and disrupted lives. The author makes it simple and uncomplicated for readers. The tips are flexible, easy to follow, and very practical. It is the practical part that makes the book motivating to read. The author's tips are easily applicable and it is a must-read for all women who are running a home.

Jean Hall

Wit, wisdom, and whimsy can be found in a Christian mom's life along with her daily struggles. Shannon Upton in Organizing You: Finding Your Spiritual Clutter and Using Organization to Clear it Out, gives meaningful and helpful advice. When there were difficult times after the birth of her daughter Karly, this "Jesus Mom" learned many tools of the trade to replace worry with wonder. "God takes an eternal view on our work and our goals...." This handy guide gives moms a system to prioritize tasks without focusing too much on perfectionism. Shannon's husband has nicknamed her "Shan with a Plan." Success is not measured in superficial standards but with a Christ-centered family. An overwhelming mess can be reduced to small and manageable tasks to create an ordered and healthy household. Chapter headings include: Building Your House, Chores, Loving Lists, and an Uncluttered Spirit.

Shannon Upton has tamed disorder and worry by defining goals and making realistic timetables. Pertinent scripture is quoted to illustrate her instructions and the appendices help the reader to remember the lessons. The format and cover art is fresh and inviting. The narrative is friendly and conversational like a couple of friends sitting down for some chocolate dessert and a chat. Most of all, you feel the earnest desire of the author to live a Godly life and to do her best for herself and for her family. Organizing You by Shannon Upton will relieve your heart of worry as life is managed for the glory of God.

Katie Neer - blogger

Do you feel completely disorganized? Do you have trouble figuring out how in the world to keep track of your house chores, appointments, to-do lists, etc? Do I sound like an infomercial yet? ;-)

Seriously though. My friend, Shannon Upton, wrote an amazing book that will help you figure out how to accomplish these things. It is called Organizing You.

Her book is geared towards Moms, but I believe anybody can benefit from it. I am not a Mom and I am going to be implementing her techniques. I believe everyone needs to strive to be organized, and her book can really help you to do that.

As I was reading, I thought, “Huh! Well, that makes sense. Why didn’t I think of that?” There were many “Ah-ha!” moments for me. For instance, in chapters 9 & 10 she talks about lists and the kinds of lists she uses. I usually have lists in 10 different places, and there is no rhyme or reason to what is on them.

I also loved her honesty and transparency. She is a human being just like the rest of us, and she shares her struggles. But she also shares some incredibly funny kid stories :-)

A few things about her book that stood out to me are:

How she prays over her planner every day.
She uses PAPER. (She doesn’t hate technology, but she has great reasons for using paper.)
Her unique organizing techniques. I have never heard it explained this way before.
Her real-life stories. She is relateable, and there were many times I was thinking, “I do the same thing!! Glad it’s not just me!”
Her love for Jesus and her passion to share it with others.
Her writing style is never condemning. Ever. She wrote this book to help others, not to make them feel disorganized. You can feel her joy through her words.

I really implore you to read this book. It’s easy to read, but holds so much great information, like a tiny little treasure box.

Also, I encourage you to visit her website at Organizing Jesus Moms. She has a couple of videos to share, as well as some other articles. She is also a speaker so you can find out more information about that on her website. (By the way, she is a GREAT speaker and super fun to talk to!)

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to go clean out my closet and make some lists!

Cassidy Sevier, Blogger o

It was wonderful to read a book on organization written from a larger, Christian perspective. I found so much grace within her words- and a lot of helpful hints, too. It was a great opportunity to think about why I think a clean house is important, and what was the minimum I could do and still be happy. I really enjoyed her book!

Cara Kipp, Blogger

I’m an organization junkie, so I didn't realize what this book would do for me. Shannon doesn't give you tips to keep your desktop cleared, but instead uses a Biblical framework to attack the clutter in our hearts and minds and souls. Her focus is to do what's important to our faith, our souls, and our responsibilities as Christians. Shannon has a clear and distinctive voice. She's a mom. She's got a wonderful idea. She's passionate about what she does and wants us all to be better Jesus Moms. And it shows.