Book Review: Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More by Stever Robbins

Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More by Stever Robbins

Stever Robbins was the host of the Get-It-Done Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More podcast from 2007 to 2020. In the middle of that period, he wrote this book as a physical compilation of the advice from the show. He presents nine steps that organize and maximize work, sometimes by minimizing distractions or re-prioritizing work that really doesn't accomplish anything.

The book has the heart of the show--Stever's personality. He has a fun blend of performance and practicality in his delivery. Listeners will smile as they read the references to his co-worker Bernice and to building a zombie army with Zombie Reanimation Powder. His comic style works well in print as well as in audio. 

The advice is some standard stuff. Figure out what you want to do in life and let that guide decision making. Avoid distractions and tasks that do not contribute to your goals. Use technology sparingly and focus that use on productivity. Be organized, that is know where things are and where they should go so you can put them back (so, being organized isn't necessarily neat, just easy to access). Build better relationships. The big principles are supported by action steps that make those principles into reality.

The book was written in 2010, so a few outdated references show up, like PDAs. Those have been replaced by smart phones, which an astute reader can easily recognize. The fundamental ideas and strategies are timeless and thus as relevant today as back then. The light touch (using humor and imagination) sets this apart from more technical and dry self-help books that can be hard to get through.

Recommended--even if you know a lot of this stuff, it's good to refresh the knowledge and the delivery is very refreshing!