Margin is the space that once existed between ourselves and our limits. Today we use margin just to get by.This book is for anyone who yearns for r...
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Oct 06, 2011
Mark
rated it: 
Swenson does a good job of identifying the problem--most of us are wound way too tightly with no real "margin" for error. His observations are fair and well-explained.
I have to admit that the proposed solutions are a mixed bag. In some ways, he's very insightful and then others go overboard. Going back to "the simple life" can't be the answer for every area where margin needs to be restored. We can and should simplify. We should reexamine the way we handle money More...
I have to admit that the proposed solutions are a mixed bag. In some ways, he's very insightful and then others go overboard. Going back to "the simple life" can't be the answer for every area where margin needs to be restored. We can and should simplify. We should reexamine the way we handle money More...
Jul 19, 2010
Kim
rated it: 
In the spring I went to a literacy conference held in Edmonton. The key note speaker was Dr. Karen Gordon, a psychologist from Toronto. She spoke about raising children in an age of overindulgence, touching on how we overspend on, over schedule, and over feed our kids (particularly sugar) and the impact this is having on them and how to correct it. It was an excellent talk. During her lecture she recommended this book called Margin by Dr. Swenson. He talks about how the margin on a paper gi
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Oct 31, 2008
Trish
rated it: 
Overall, I really got a lot out of this book.
The premise of the book is that we are living in a society that for the most part is stressed because we are living beyond our means in the areas of our emotional, physical, time, and financial capacities. "Margin" is that space between what our limitations are and how far we push ourselves. In general, most of us tend to spend more money than we have, commit to more activities than we have time for, our push ourselves beyond our phy More...
The premise of the book is that we are living in a society that for the most part is stressed because we are living beyond our means in the areas of our emotional, physical, time, and financial capacities. "Margin" is that space between what our limitations are and how far we push ourselves. In general, most of us tend to spend more money than we have, commit to more activities than we have time for, our push ourselves beyond our phy More...
Jul 22, 2010
Stephen
rated it:
I thought margin is a good book. If you are wondering where the day went or why you are so stressed this is the perfect book for you.
While Ray kurzweil explains why change is happening so quickly from a technology stand point and Alvin Toffler from society. Richard looks at this exponentiation pace of change and inspects the individual lack of ability to cope with this change.
Richard gives good direction of how to gain control of your Margin, which effects your happiness More...
While Ray kurzweil explains why change is happening so quickly from a technology stand point and Alvin Toffler from society. Richard looks at this exponentiation pace of change and inspects the individual lack of ability to cope with this change.
Richard gives good direction of how to gain control of your Margin, which effects your happiness More...
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Aug 11, 2009
Nia
rated it:
Its interesting that a Christian physician would write a book on how to create margins (aka. balance) in your life when their lifestyle is most often non-reflective of that meaning. I enjoyed his thought process about the downside of progress in our society.
Apr 04, 2011
Annette
rated it:
This book really helps you see what in the world is happening and how to take control of your life and calm the frustrations that sometimes seem like being in an inner tube on white water rapids. Soothing to the soul!
Jan 07, 2009
Fantastic Book! Rest is God's idea, overload isn't spiritual. I need to get stuff that I don't need out of my house (and garage) and life so that I can better use the time that God has given me here on earth.
Dec 09, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
I tried to get through this book, but failed. I suppose I should have tried a little harder—I was just getting to the potentially useful part. But, the book, unfortunately, seemed to offer no more insight than was available from the title. And, I was disappointed that the author didn't draw on the Bible or Christian theology or principles to inform or support his ideas. It's not that I feel any good books or ideas have to be "propped up" by Christian theology. Rather, I had the im
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Feb 19, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
This book helped me to decide to quit my full-time job. There is real wisdom here. My life is wonderful now. thank you, Dr. Swenson
Apr 15, 2008
Mike
rated it:
There are few books that I would recommend to "everyone". This is one of them. Margin is that peace of mind you have left when it seems like you have almost none left. It is the little bit of money that is there for the emergency when all your friends have none. It is the time you have to listen to a friend in need when everyone else is too busy. It is time, money, space, energy and freedom...all in enough supply to get through every day. If you don't have enough, find out why in this
Apr 18, 2011
Carl
rated it:
This is a great book. Not just about time and money management, but management of our stress and spiritual lives as well. I loved his chapter on Emotional Margin.
Jan 22, 2008
Stacey
rated it:
Finally finished! The ideas of margin could be near revolutionary in our current culture. I need margin in so many areas of my life in order to be emotionally, spiritually and physically healthy. The book became a little redundant and could have been half the length. I did, however, read the devotional "a minute of margin" by the same author and it was the same material in a different more digestible format-- I preferred that.
Jun 01, 2009
Kate
rated it:
A good reminder of why it's good to not be busy and overscheduled (although the author does sort of beat the dead horse about those reasons in the beginning of the book). There is a video that goes along with the book (filmed in the 1990s, complete with country blue and mauve colors), which I thought was a good summation of the book.
Dec 16, 2009
Mark
rated it:
This book helped me to refocus my priorities. As a result, my entire family will be going together to Africa on a Mission Trip. We all need margin in our lives. I almost didn't make it past the first third of this book. He focuses on the problems we face - and I didn't need to hear that - I know. However, once you start getting into the Margin content, I found myself highlighting several things that I keep going back to.
Sep 24, 2008
Reid
rated it:
I liked Swenson's style of writing and his message: we need margin or it all gets out of whack. Busy-ness is craziness.
Slow down, consume less - time, emotions, finances, resources focus, be intentional, simplify.
Great practical ideas for my 'hurry sickness'. (NO)
This is good prep for me as I take time to work on my Life Message, Business Vision, Business Plan.
Slow down, consume less - time, emotions, finances, resources focus, be intentional, simplify.
Great practical ideas for my 'hurry sickness'. (NO)
This is good prep for me as I take time to work on my Life Message, Business Vision, Business Plan.
Apr 27, 2008
Eileen
rated it:
This is the best book I've read in 20 years. It helps make sense of the pace of modern life and how to regain a sense of balance and health. I have come to the conclusion that it is my duty to guard the margin in my life. Christ is not glorified by hurried, hassled and hectic living in His followers. Equally good is his sequel, The Overload Syndrome.
Apr 16, 2008
Jeremiah
rated it:
This title says it all. Americans need one thing in their daily lives: Margin. Swenson walks through many of the areas of our daily lives and gives suggestions for adding a much needed cushion to all of them. Don't buy this book to only read it, buy it to practice it.
Dec 14, 2007
Jeremy
rated it:
This book wasn't amazingly crafted or anything, but it is a timely message that I think EVERYONE should read. It is written my a physician who has observed the decay of his patients as a result of a lack of margin in their lives.
Jun 28, 2008
Josette
rated it:
This is one of my all time favorite books. I think everyone in America should read it and start getting some margin (and sanity) back in our lives. (warning--it's pretty counter-culture)
Nov 08, 2009
Joan
rated it:
This is a good thought-provoking book. It's giving me some good ideas on reducing the clutter in my life and creating a sense of contentment and simplicity regardless of my circumstances.
Sep 28, 2008
This book was recommended to me today through my pastor's sermon. It sounds like something I can use and would also like to have my brother read it. I look forward to getting it.
Oct 27, 2007
( 27 customer reviews)
27 Reviews
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Sep 19, 2008
Chad
rated it:
Great book. I wish I would've read something like this earlier in life. "Life happens in the margins"...we need to create more margin in our busy lives.
Apr 08, 2010
Jim
rated it:
A wake-up call on the stress we place on our lives as Westerners, and the negative impact on our health, souls, and relationships.
Jul 09, 2008
This "currently reading" pile is huge, I know...This one is interesting. Food for thought, to say the least. A good read for anyone.
Feb 12, 2008
Keplerbell
rated it:
This book helps us understand how important it is to move from overload to having "margins" - breathing room in our lives.
Sep 14, 2007
Cathy
rated it:
really different read for me, but interesting and how do we really spend our time, destress etc.
