"A Perfect Mess" - If You Love Clutter, This Book May Be Your "Get Of Jail For Free" Card

A new book written by Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman claims that a moderate amount of mess is not necessarily a bad thing-- in fact it may be beneficial.

A Perfect Mess is causing quite a clutter controversy.  Read ahead and share your thoughts.

Their basic argument is that the organization, storage and maintenance is actually more time-consuming, pricey and restrictive than living with a moderate amount of crap.  And without that moderate amount of crap, you may miss out on that creative thought that sparks when you excavate.

As all this does make sense-- although we don't really think there is an effective way to measure messiness's contribution in the real world.  Orderliness is always going to be there, and in varying mixtures.  There is always an exception to a rule, and after all, they are talking about a moderate amount of clutter.

But the arguments have gotten heated.

First, the New York Times published Penelope Green's article "Yes to Mess" and the controversy started.  Freedman and Abrahamson quoted and mis-quoted our personal professional organizing colleagues around the country saying that we're accepting organizing challenges for clients who really don't need our help at all.  And we're forcing our supreme levels of organization onto them making them feel bad.  Obviously, this so far from the truth.  The snippy attacks in the book continued to productivity gurus David Allen and Stephen Covey.

Organizing Bloggers have also gotten on the bandwagon.  Fellow New Jersey Organizer Ariane Benefit's Neat Living, LA-colleague Jessica's Duquette's Its-Not-About-Your-Stuff, and the beloved Atlanta, GA Monica Ricci all spoke out on what's been going on.  Last week, Kathy Waddill, Professional Organizer and Author David H. Freeman appeared on National NPR to discuss the book's findings.

So, readers, what are your thoughts?  Do you feel that a moderate amount of mess is good for creativity?

• A Perfect Mess:  The Hidden Benefits of Disorder-- How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place.
• Read a free chapter posted on-line.

UPDATE 1/29/07:  We've posted a follow-up on this story with an interview on NBC's Today Show.  Click here to see the post.

Comments

[Jessica Duquette]

yes, this controversy certainly has caused quite a stir! I guess it's time to talk about it, to open intelligent dialogue and each person can draw their own conclusions.

Thanks for including me in your post, John.

warmly,

Jessica from It's Not About Your Stuff

[Cyndi]

I read the free chapter linked in your blog and must say that these authors are plainly and simply "not of this world." Their hostility to order tells me that they have nothing better to do than find fault in things people do to better themselves, as well as finding fault in people who help people to better themselves. They need to get a life.

[Monica Ricci]

There will always be those who seek to justify their own personal shortcomings, and rationalize themselves to sleep at night. And there will always be those who truly are happy, joyful, content and yes, even productive despite their chaotic lives. Aaaaand, as my friend John Trosko says, every industry has its detractors.

Perhaps there are organizers who don't teach their clients new skills, who don't support their clients and who actually are controlling, judgmental, humorless, cold, shrew-like humans. They will not be long for the industry. As for myself, I sleep well at night knowing that I have been instrumental in helping others change their lives for the better. And John, thanks very much for including me in your blog. ~Monica

[Ariane Benefit]

John, looks like we can relax! The media are doing a FABULOUS job of pointing out the ridiculous extreme to which the authors belabor the point that just because someone in "moderately" messy doesn't mean they can't function in the world. Which is basically what I aways tell my clients : ) I try to save people time, not get them to waste it on rigid organizing schemes.

Check out the Wall Street Journal review of the book! "Why Clean Up Your Desk? Delight in Disorder Instead" By ADRIAN WOOLDRIDGE
January 2, 2007; Page D7 - They do a great of debunking the authors.

Barnes & Noble also posted a negative review.

The book isn't even out yet and it's helping us publicize and correct the misconception many people have that Pro Organizers try to make you perfect. This is a great opportunity to get that message out load & clear.

Thanks for including me in your post, John!

Happy New Year!
Ariane

[Scott]

Order or mess, taken to the extreme, is counterproductive. There is a sweet spot for each of us, given our season of life, personality type, circumstances.

Working toward balancing that sweet spot is really the issue - not arguing whether we should be all organized or all messy.

The "Perfect Mess" authors have it right when they say organization can be too expensive for the good. But they also prefer that their physicians and pilots to be organized.

I don't see "Perfect Mess" as a threat to the organizers of our world. I am highly organized. I love spreadsheets, bins, and color-coded closet arrangements. But I read the book as a way of becoming more well-rounded as a person - despite the claims the authors make toward professional organizers, David Allen, and Covey.