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Getting Organized in the Google Era: How to Get Stuff out of Your Head, Find It When You Need It, and Get It Done Right Audiobook
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(3.01) - 229 listener ratings
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Whether it's a faulty memory, a tendency to multitask, or difficulty managing our time, every one of us has limitations conspiring to keep us from being organized. But, as organizational guru and former Google CIO Douglas C. Merrill points out, it isn't our fault. Our brains simply aren't designed to deal with the pressures and competing demands on our attention in today's fast-paced, information-saturated, digital world. What's more, he says, many of the ways in which our society is structured are outdated, imposing additional chaos that makes us feel stressed, scattered, and disorganized. But it doesn't have to be this way. Luckily, we have a myriad of amazing new digital tools and technologies at our fingertips to help us manage the strains on our brains and on our lives; the trick is knowing when and how to use them. This is why Merrill, who helped spearhead Google's effort to "organize the world's information," offers a wealth of tips and strategies for how to use these new tools to become more organized, efficient, and successful than ever. But if you're looking for traditional, rigid, one-size-fits-all strategies for organization, this isn't the book for you. Instead, Merrill draws on his intimate knowledge of how the brain works to help us develop fresh, innovative, and flexible systems of organization tailored to our individual goals, constraints, and lifestyles. From how to harness the amazing power of search, to how to get the most out of cloud computing, to techniques for filtering through the enormous avalanche of information that assaults us at every turn, to tips for minimizing distractions and better integrating work and life, Getting Organized in the Google Era is chock-full of practical, invaluable, and often counterintuitive advice for anyone who wants to be more organized and productive–and less stressed--in our 21st-century world.
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"Wonderful book on why it is difficult to be organized with summaries on process improvements; versus procedure improvements typically given. The tips on how to use Google, and similar software, more effectively to find material instead of filing it!"
— Christopher (5 out of 5 stars)
Getting Organized in the Google Era Listener Reviews
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" This book was a revelation. "
— Dan, 2/17/2014 -
" Taught me a lot about how to manage my "stuff" without pulling my hair out. "
— Jim, 2/15/2014 -
" Wish it had more about how to work around brain's sticking points instead of product placement for specific technology systems. I guess that's what I was expecting from guy with PhD in cognitive science. I like that he had personal stories to share, but also would have liked more about his methods for dealing with his dyslexia. Not bad as organization books go, but I can't say I really liked it. "
— Deb, 2/6/2014 -
" The content provides some very useful reminders and acts as an introduction to multiple technologies to assist in organizing calendars, contacts, and information. This is a text that I will refer back to from time to time. "
— Braxton, 1/30/2014 -
" Good at diagnosing the problem, weak on the solution. His prescription: keep everything online and Google as needed, except when there are superior Apple apps. Lotta help there. "
— Jenny, 1/25/2014 -
" this is a Great Book! I have already used 3 suggestions from this book. "
— Fullfaun, 1/20/2014 -
" There are some useful ideas. May help anyone who wants to sort out and make sense of the dizzying changes happening on the cyber space today. "
— Jules, 1/19/2014 -
" Much more than the title indicates, this book gives a lot of great tech tips as well as explains why we aren't meant to multitask the way we do. "
— Chelsea, 1/1/2014 -
" Always looking for some new crazy organization system. Not sure this book has too much to offer me right now. It was featured on our public library's blog. "
— Jennifer, 11/23/2013 -
" Decent book but nothing ground breaking. The most interesting part was his personal stories. Some good websites but nothing again that can't be found elsewhere. If you are looking for a great book on organization then get "Getting Things Done" by David Allen. Sorry Doug "
— Gregory, 11/4/2013 -
" there was a whole chapter on the glories of gmail. if you are already semi-organized and semi-computer literate, i don't think this book will be of much help to you. "
— Purposely, 9/6/2013 -
" Not very original or helpful. Basic message---put all your information in "the cloud" and have open data systems. I also found his ADHD habit of sprinkling song lyrics in the margins totally irritating. "
— Angela, 7/28/2013 -
" Some good tips, but I wish I could have gotten them from someone who was less annoying. Go straight to the appendices and get the info you need. "
— Bridget, 7/25/2013 -
" I learned new things about using Google. I liked it. "
— Kathy, 4/10/2013 -
" Douglas Merrill, former chief information officer of Google, has compiled some interesting productivity tips (like using Gmail as a text database) and has padded them with anecdotes to create a book. It would have been better as a magazine article than a book. "
— Dara, 2/18/2013 -
" Parts of this book just seemed like an ad for Google products, but for the most part I found it helpful as a way to think about how we organize things in the cloud era. I got some great tips I will implement for both my personal and work life. "
— Jennie, 4/8/2012 -
" might be some useful guidance for computer novices but I was hoping for something deeper. Didn't learn anything new. "
— Mike, 4/6/2012 -
" Rating: 5/10 "
— puyol5, 12/27/2011 -
" Couldn't get into this. Maybe because I work in technology ... it all seems so obvious. "
— Cindy, 4/2/2011 -
" So-So book, but worth it for the tips on managing To-Do Lists with "Things" and also the tip on Google Health. "
— Eric, 3/7/2011 -
" Taught me a lot about how to manage my "stuff" without pulling my hair out. "
— Jim, 2/1/2011 -
" might be some useful guidance for computer novices but I was hoping for something deeper. Didn't learn anything new. "
— Mike, 12/30/2010 -
" This book talks about how to organize everything in the cloud computing era. The core thing is to make everything accessible and searchable in anywhere and anytime. <br/> "
— Minah, 9/17/2010 -
" Concise book on simple organizing tools and knowing your learning style to aid in work and life. "
— Elizabeth, 8/17/2010 -
" Wow, this guy used to work for Google and still loves it. He was disorganized but figured out ways to get organized that most of us figured out in second grade. But still, if you still have not figured it out, he could be helpful. "
— Linda, 8/10/2010 -
" Much more than the title indicates, this book gives a lot of great tech tips as well as explains why we aren't meant to multitask the way we do. "
— Chelsea, 7/24/2010 -
" Douglas Merrill, former chief information officer of Google, has compiled some interesting productivity tips (like using Gmail as a text database) and has padded them with anecdotes to create a book. It would have been better as a magazine article than a book. "
— Dara, 7/15/2010