Take Back Your Time: Identify Your Priorities, Decrease Stress, and Increase Productivity

by Morgan Tyree, Robin Eller (Reading)

Morgan Tyree wants to help you take back your time with her proven time-management system. With energy and enthusiasm, Morgan shows you how to organize and manage your time using her simple three-color time-zone system of green, yellow, and red--moxie time, multitasking time, and me time. She shows you how to - Identify your most productive times each day - Regulate between essentials and nonessentials - Schedule your three time zones - Match your time zones with your capacities - Welcome the season of life you're in - Set achievable goals that align with your values If you've struggled to find balance and direction in your overloaded life, let Morgan's system help you discover the freedom of less hustle and more harmony.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Productivity, Audiobook, Personal Development, Reference, Personal Growth

Audio CD

Published April 7, 2020

About the author

Connect with Morgan!
Instagram: @morganizewithme
Facebook: @morganizewithme

Morgan Tyree is a professional organizer (chaos calmer), writer (list lover), and fitness instructor (exercise enthusiast). She has a desire to help others to be their best and encourage and equip them in every season of life by inspiring intentionality. She earned her BS degree in business administration with an emphasis in small business and entrepreneurship from the University of Oregon and has worked in the fields of marketing, management, and human resources. She runs her own personal organization and time-management business and lives with her husband, David, in Colorado along with their three children (affectionately termed their ABCs). Morgan invites you to join her on a peaceful path to simplicity.

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the introduction to this book I thought it was just going to be another boring time management book - boy, was I in for a surprise! By the second chapter I felt hooked. I do love learning about time management and the author (and what she shared) really "clicked" with me. I love the idea of the different time zones - green, yellow, red, and how our mindset should change depending on our time zone. The practical tips at the end of each chapter were super helpful. My favorite chapters were "Prioritizing Your Priorities", "The Red Time Zone" (on self care and rejuvenation), and the chapter on using your calendar and planning efficiently. This book is definitely a keeper and I'm so happy to add it to my shelf.

I was given a complimentary copy from Revell reads - but all opinions in this review are solely my own

[Mary Hake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brief but detailed book offers a helpful system to organize your time for maximum potential. The author includes many proven tips along with explanations for why they work. Some things I already do, but I’ve never been able to escape clutter. She shows how all types of clutter affect your use of time. I read it quickly in order to review. Now I plan to go through the system and apply it to my life. Being better organized and freeing up time will be wonderful. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't desire to have more time to do the things you need to and want to do? I certainly do!
Morgan Tyree has written an easy-to-apply approach to time management in Take Back Your Time.
She weaves in practical, step-by-step advice along with relatable anecdotes about her own life to show how her ideas are achievable.
The basics of her system is to divide your own productive time into three zones: green, yellow, and red. These coincide with times where you need more focus (green), a medium amount of focus (yellow) and less focus and more driven to your particular priorities (red).
A person should determine their top 5 priorities, find out their best times each day for achieving them, and creating goals that can be met with a targeted approach. The author provides charts, fill in the blank exercises, and other resources so that the reader can do this for themselves.
Yes, this is all good information that you have probably heard before in one way or another, but Tyree's enthusiasm is contagious and she makes it seem possible, even for the most unorganized person. Although there is some mention of getting your home organized, overall this book is about organizing your time and your life so that you have space for "fullness" rather than busyness.
I appreciated her direction and can't wait to find ways to incorporate her principles into my own schedule so that I can have more focus and more fulfillment.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Amalfi Disla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro reúne todas las herramientas y métodos que nos permiten organizarnos, realizar cosas, sacar tiempo para nosotros y disfrutar la vida, todo en equilibrio. He usado varios y doy testimonio de que funcionan.

Morgan escribe de una forma en que nos podemos sentir identificados y sus anécdotas aportan un buen ejemplo en las lecciones de este libro.

[R.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Let’s look at some of the synonyms for busy: unavailable, buried, hustling, overloaded, swamped, occupied. These are NOT the kind of words I want to use when describing how I feel or how I’m spending my time.” – Morgan Tyree, Take Back Your Time

At the beginning of this year, I was all of those words and maybe more. I was juggling college, wedding planning, a full time job, a part time job, and family situations that seemed to demand 110% of my attention, oh and somehow trying to fit physical health in there somewhere, all at once. “Overloaded” and “swamped” were the more accurate synonyms of “busy” that described my life.

I would love to say that this book and Morgan’s bountiful wisdom came in and saved my life, but that would be stretching the truth. The truth is, I had already decided something had to change otherwise I would fall apart. I had already sat down and intentionally began to take back my time before I ever came across this book, but I wasn’t all the way where I wanted to be yet, so naturally, I picked it up.

I really enjoyed reading Morgan’s tips and relational stories on how to take control of your time. Many of her stories, descriptions of herself and how things work for her, really clicked with me–to the point that it almost seemed as if she had bugged my house to write the book directly to me! I just saw so many habits–good and bad– and tendencies in myself that she really brought to the light.


Because I was already on the journey of being intentional with my time, a lot of this book was more of a confirmation of “you’re doing the right thing, keep going” to me, but there were a lot of refreshing and new things discussed as well. She includes scriptures that bring a breath of fresh air, unique stories from her life to show you that it’s okay to mess up and be human, and she even includes some diagrams that you can use as you read the book.

One thing I did notice and would like to mention is that she writes intentionally to women, and addresses the readers as “ladies” on multiple occasions. Naturally, this didn’t bother me, seeing as I’m a “lady”, but I do think this book would have benefited both genders just as much. Also, bits and pieces of the book did get a little repetitive, so I found myself skipping ahead a few paragraphs.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Take Back Your Time and recommend it for those of you who want to take back your time! It’s a refreshing read that really encourages you to prioritize, organize, and schedule in a way that puts you in control of your day! I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

I received this book from Revell Reads for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.

This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am usually a pretty organized person as a firstborn. However, this year, I struggled with feeling like I have been on top of my schedule. Morgan Tyree's new book, Take Back Your Time, is just the book I need to help guide me back into a rhythm that will work to help me become more productive again.



Take Back Your Time helps the reader figure out what their priorities are as far as time and goals to maximize their schedule to get those items done first. Tyree encourages readers to figure out what their main purposes are and how to prioritize those things in the day. She has forms to set up a schedule and a time log to make the best use of their time. She encourages readers to divide their day into three zones: Focus time (green zone), Flex time (yellow zone), and Fill Time (red zone). She also touches on personalities to utilize your strengths as well as setting up a calendar and accomplishing goals.



Take Back Your Time is a practical guide with a lot of good information. I like that Tyree shares how she learned to do some things better and how she has made both positive changes and also mistakes as she figured out her own life calendar and goals. She seems to real and easy to relate to. I liked the whole tone of this book. I also like that she helped me figure out when I am most productive and to make better use of that time for the most important things I need to get done during the day. If you are struggling with time management, I would encourage you to give Take Back Your Time a read.


I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Beverly Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morgan Tyree is a professional organizer who can be found on Facebook under "Morganize with Me." (What a cute idea for a page name!) In Take Back Your Time, Morgan gives her readers tips on scheduling and how to make the most of their time. Morgan has some great ideas and she is definitely a very organized person. I like her list ideas because I am definitely a list person. However, I kind of started losing interest in the section about the different categories of daily activities (GTZ, YTZ, RTZ.) It was kind of exhausting for me because I feel like I would spend way too much time categorizing things when I could just be doing things instead. This is just the type of personality I have so I just couldn't completely relate to this. I did enjoy gaining some helpful time saving tips from Morgan's book and I will still be following her Facebook page for organizing tips. Thanks so much to Morgan and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Whether on paper or on-screen, your priorities need to be organized in a way that works well for you.”

Take Back Your Time is a practical guidebook to help you identify your priorities, set goals, and then be productive daily. Morgan encourages her readers to live a full life (full of love, family, goals, meaningful work, etc) as opposed to just a busy life. The book contains exercises that help you apply what you are learning. For example, charting how you are spending your hours throughout the week, choosing a type of calendar and to-do list that works for you, listing out the tasks you want to complete by type, creating a weekly or daily schedule, and making a list of tasks that you completed.

A good portion of the book is devoted to what “time zones” your tasks fall under. Your Green Time Zone (GTZ) should be made up of tasks that you need to devote your full focus to, and not be distracted while completing. Your Yellow Time Zone (YTZ) should contain tasks that you are can stop and start, or be a little more flexible when completing. These are jobs that you could multi-task because they may not require your undivided attention (for example, unloading the dishwasher while listening to an audio-book). Your Red Time Zone should be filled with activities that are relaxing to you, such as a hair cut, cooking your favorite meal, or reading a book. I like that Morgan emphasized how important it is to include self-care in your routine. As a full-time working mom, I know how easy it can be to take care of others and forget about taking care of myself!

At first, I was a little skeptical as I was reading this book. When the author mentioned how she usually works 25-35 hours per week, so no wonder she was feeling drained by the end of the week, I started thinking about how I work at least 40 hours per week and bring grading and planning home as a teacher. I started to wonder if I was going to be able to relate to this author, and her method of prioritizing and planning, especially since her work hours seemed to be much more flexible than mine. I have come to the conclusion that while my weekly schedule is going to look far different than hers, I can still implement her ideas into my weekly schedule. It just means that 8 am-4 pm is pretty rigidly planned out for me since those are the hours that I am working.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to get their priorities straight, organize their schedule, and hear some different ideas about how to increase your productivity. Your schedule will most likely not look exactly like Morgan’s, but we are all following different God-given callings!

“The most significant thing you can do to positively impact your time management and find the sweet spot is to lean into God and his direction for your time. He has given you the Holy Spirit to help you through each hour of your life. Press into his guidance and his still small voice. When you do, you will experience more peace, more harmony, and more of the sweet spot surrounding how you organize and spend your time.”

I received a copy of this book as part of the Revell Blogging Program, in return for an honest review.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The aspect I like best about Take Back Your Time is that it’s both a how-to guide and a workbook. She approaches time management and organization from a Christian perspective, using your callings and purposes as a basis for identifying priorities and managing your time well. I also appreciate the variety of examples she provides throughout the book, which helps me apply her concepts to my own situation. Her concept of time zones was previously unfamiliar to me, and I can see many benefits to organizing one’s time (however strictly or loosely that may be) in such a system.

That said, I think this book would have better suited my life while I was still working outside the home, and definitely pre-pandemic. Cancellations and changes this past year gave back much of the time I had lost to busyness, and I began replacing that with fullness without even realizing it. Are there still things that I can apply as a stay at home mom? Absolutely. But I am also much more intentionally flexible with my time during this season of life. It is freeing to once again have weekends, to know the laundry can indeed get done tomorrow, and we can enjoy spontaneous adventures. These were not possible while I was working, and this book would have helped me find balance during those more stressful years. YMMV.

The chapter I found most helpful was on setting goals. I learned that I am indeed setting goals for myself, I just didn’t realize it because they look so different from what they used to be. That in itself was freeing and encouraging and worth reading the book when I did.

Things that I really didn’t enjoy about this book: lots of block quotes, and some from unreliable sources. I didn’t agree with some of her theology, which was unsurprising, but also didn’t detract from the overall message of the book.

[Emily P · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Take Back Your Time" is a primer for those whose plates are filled to overflowing and are ready to delegate and prioritize. We can't always take on every positive thing that comes our way, and there are already many things vying for our attention.

There are so many good tips in this book, with specific activities that help the reader cut through the extras and get to the point. We all want our lives to flow smoothly, and while we can't control everything, we can control what we allow to be our priorities.

By separating out the most important items in our lives by assigning them what the author calls "time zones," the reader is encouraged to fit what is most necessary into the hours we are each given every day. That may mean cutting out some things, tearing through clutter or exercising our right to say "no" to extra things that cause us stress. She also empowers the reader to set goals that can actually be met and make sure our values line up with the life we are actually living.

Tyree has a proven system that works here, and many would be wise to heed her advice. After all, she knows what she's doing, this is her day job--helping others live more organized lives. She believes in this message and its power to change outlooks, reduce stress and encourage more lives ruled by content, not chaos.

I got to read an advanced reader copy, thanks to Revell. All opinions are my own and I chose to leave a review. This is a really helpful book!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another time management book? Yes, but this one comes at the issue with some fresh considerations. Tyree emphasizes choice. Since we all have 24 hours each day, what we choose to do in those hours makes the difference. She helps us determine our purposes, those areas we feel God is calling us to focus on, then establish priorities. She also writes about recognizing our strengths and unique abilities, personality styles and energy levels. She helps us evaluate our commitments. Knowing our purpose and priorities helps us to say no to requests.

Another new aspect of time management for me was to determine my daily cycles of productivity. Using her method, we can establish our best times to focus on tasks, our times we should be flexible, and the hours we can fill with what we want (and perhaps need for our own well being). She has a different way of writing out goals. She uses the acronym LIGHT rather than the familiar SMART.

Tyree includes time management tips too. We are reminded we need to say no sometimes. Finding cheerleaders was new to me. She offers free printable charts, such as time logs and calendars at her website to help in the discovery tasks.

Tyree tells lots of her own stories so the book is entertaining as well as informative. It's a good book for people who want to figure out how to organize their days considering their callings and their personalities.

I received a complementary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Katie Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan’s system is simple and effective. If you want to take control of your time and learn how to flow with God’s unique design for your life, I highly recommend Take Back Your Time. It is an easy read jam-packed with practical tips and tricks to help you manage the hours in your week while actually increasing productivity and achieving the ever-elusive balance we all strive for. She includes great tools for enhancing your self-care routine (which I absolutely love) and tailoring your approach to time management based on your unique traits and daily rhythms. I especially love how the book is anchored in faith and focuses on partnering with God to propel you into His purposes for each season of life.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who keeps waiting for their time to reappear! I was one of those, until Tyree’s message about TAKING BACK your time came across my path. Her strategies and resources offered in this book are extremely helpful and are not overwhelming at all. The worksheets and practical strategy in creating your “time zones” are my favorite part of this book, and have helped me get a handle on where my time is currently going. My favorite chapter has to be about aligning your purposes with priorities - such good stuff!

[Angelina Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

In today's busy day to day it is hard to find time to do everything we want to do. Choosing which items to mark off our list daily is a just another task to add to the long list of items you want to accomplish. Morgan's book has helped me with finding and making time to check off those items and still find time to take care of the ones you didn't think you had time to add. Take a moment, find which ones matter the most at the time and get to it, don't waste time trying to get through everything on your list. Do what matters most! I started to see that even though the dishes needed washing, the time with my kids was more important, I could load the dishwasher later and still take care of 2 things on my list. The time spent with the kids is more rewarding anyway and believe me I had much rather play with the kids than worry about a few unwashed dishes. Life is short, we are not promised tomorrow so do what matters today. I truly am loving this book!

[Michelle Nietert · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who struggles with ADHD tendencies and as a counselor who has treated lots of people with task management struggles, I love the combination of spirituality and practicality this book has to offer. I have started thinking a lot about green, yellow, and red zones and worked with several clients on this approach and it’s made a huge difference in their day-to-day satisfaction produced.

[Kara Doerksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good tips and systems on productivity and scheduling based on time intensive tasks, multitasking and rest time.

[Amanda Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches you how to settle your purpose and priority dealing with your time . The author sets out telling you how to set goals by the different time zones that are very helpful in your every day life. The author teaches you the three keys for stritades to help you plan and organize and construct your day. The author also stresses how important it is to have God interactions with all you do to receiving your daily needs that are wanting to be met. This was a wonderful self help book that I think you will really enjoy, learn in how to spend your much needed time , by learning the zones. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs the help with setting goals and finding rest and peace within them self.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for my honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've struggled to find balance and direction in your overloaded life, let Morgan's system help you discover the freedom of less hustle and more harmony.

I have really been enjoying this book. I am reading through it slowly trying to do the challenges as I go along. I have been looking for a while for a better way to manage my time. I work from home and the biggest challenge for me is finding the time to work when it feels like my family always needs me. This book really got my attention, and I am finding it to be helpful. It certainly seems like the author has quite a bit of experience and has used the system and tips she recommends. I look forward to implementing some of her concepts.

She begins by telling a bit of her story. In each chapter she provides some charts and ideas that you can begin implementing also. She helps you identify what is important, what your priorities are, what is consuming your time, and then tells you how to handle it. She also encourages you to embrace your season, be accepting of where God has put you and make the most of it. Use the gifts and talents God has given you.

Not all systems work for all people, so who know if this is the system for me or for you. But one thing I do know, if we don't try anything we will never make any progress or grow. So I would recommend this book if you are looking for ways to organize your time, have more time to do what's important to you, and make the most of your life - living intentionally.

I received this book courtesy of Revell. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just once I'd like to read a self help book without the woman weaving in her relationship to God. Nothing about this book or its description suggests this is going to have Christian elements, and yet at every turn Tyree is talking about her religion. "You are the body of Christ," and that's a direct quote, is not inspiring or helpful in any way as it relates to my schedule.

Overall, this book was pretty helpful, the strategies for managing time were pretty easy to follow and could be customized for each person. But I could have done without Tyree's excessive stories about herself. I'm a middle class, unmarried woman. It's pretty hard not to laugh when she said the hardest two months of her life was living in a hotel in beautiful Lisbon, Portugal.

In short, the content is great, but Tyree's voice is not. The audiobook is also atrocious, and sounds like it was recorded on someone's 2010 cell phone, but I won't hold that against Tyree.

[Abigail Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review of Take Back Your Time:
I was hesitant to try out this book but it had been a while since I read any non-fiction that wasn't World War Two, (#notaddictedtowarstories) and I'm glad I did. Take Back Your Time has some wonderfully helpful tips, (like getting rid of clutter and one I probably should work on: a set short time for social media.) And I relate to the struggles the author mention which helped me to see that the advice is for everyone and this is a helpful book that you should check out. The cover sold me on the book surprisingly, just ago you know. 😉
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review – all the thoughts are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Organization! Who doesn't want more organization in their lives?! I was excited to read this new book by Morgan Tyree called Take Back Your Time. I'm always feeling like I'm running behind when it comes to my life being what I dream it could be. And this seems to be a normal feeling for young moms with young kids. So when a book comes out about time management, I pick it up and hope that finally something will click for me.
Morgan's book has a unique way of looking at time management with dividing your time into different "time zones"--Green (focus energy time), Yellow (multitasking time), and Red (personal time). She encourages her reader to embrace the season they are in at this moment. So many times we feel like we should be accomplishing more, but the season of life we are in doesn't allow for it. I love that she takes this into consideration.
Morgan says, "With different seasons of life come different opportunities and obligations. Recognizing your current season of life is essential to knowing how to intentionally orchestrate your time." (loc.160 in ebook)
I loved all the questions that Morgan includes throughout her book to help guide you in implementing the time management strategies that she teaches. They are definitely a useful tool! I also enjoyed the section on how your personality plays into your management of time. I guess I never really thought about how my personality would influence this part of my life. Morgan also advises that you keep a "Done List." I'm not sure why I never did this before, but it is brilliant. I am forever saying to my husband when he asks how my day went that I can't remember what on earth I did that day! I think this happens so much when you are at home with the children. Life seems to fly and you are busy all day long picking up messes and feeding kids, but when you get to the end of the day, it just all blurs together! So keeping a simple list of the tasks I accomplish will help me to see that I have been productive throughout my day. And last but not least, I appreciate that Morgan says that our greatest influence with our time management is God. "The most significant thing you can do to positively impact your time management and find the sweet spot is to lean into God and his direction for your time. He has given you the Holy Spirit to help you through each hour of your life. Press into his guidance and his still small voice." (loc.1839 of ebook) This was encouraging to read that the author acknowledged the priority of God in directing our steps.
If you're looking for a little direction with your time management, pick up Morgan Tyree's new book, Take Back Your Time and start learning how to better management the time that God has given you.

***I received this complimentary book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever found yourself juggling various balls in life and, inevitably, dropping one? Do you feel that there are just too many demands on your time and you don’t know how to divide your day? Me? I’m a direct sales consultant with a fair trade company, a reviewer of books, the owner of a dog that chooses when to ignore me and when to be incredibly needy, and a wife and homeowner. Something had to give, so I eagerly accepted the opportunity to review Take Back Your Time by Morgan Tyree when offered it by the publisher.

Each chapter contains a task designed to be completed during the coming week. Tyree wants readers to discover the hours they work best, and then to divide their tasks into Green, Yellow, and Red Time Zones. The book contains examples of the schedules she writes about. I found I had a sticky notepad that divided tasks into three categories and adapted that for my use. She also offers ideas as to how to remove the distractions that stop you from focusing on your top priorities (items in the Green Time Zone). Turning off my phone was easy. I had a harder time with the dog. Yesterday, I closed the office door on him. When I opened it, I found him lying on the floor in front of it!

This is not a book to read in one sitting, nor does it provide an instant fix. It’s more of a program to be carried out over a period of time. While I wasn’t able to take all the time required, I was able to make some decisions about my work day – including how to deal with my lovable – yet needy – dog. I also realized I was on track with some of my daily processes. I’d read some of the advice Tyree gives elsewhere, but she brings it all together. This is a Christian book, put out by a Christian publisher. Tyree references different authors, mostly Christian, and also quotes scripture.

Bottom line after reading Take Back Your Time? Tyree’s book is for everyone who longs to be more organized with their day, regardless of what season of life they’re in. I know I need to get organized, and I know that Tyree’s method is doable. After reading her book I was able to make a couple of big decisions about various aspects of my life. I do need to create the habit of listing my tasks - and prioritizing them - on a daily basis. Which means I now need to figure out how to form such a habit and stick with it. Because that isn’t one of my strong points either!

Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a review, and the words above are my own.

[Janell R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always lived a pretty ‘full’ life, in which there were tasks to be accomplished and I rarely had time to think about being bored (thanks to my wonderful parents, who always had an answer to boredom if it was ever hinted at ;-), with time, of course, to read and work on hobbies. However, in the past few months, it has seemed like my life has gotten exponentially ‘fuller’ ( I use this word with reason, which I will explain in a minute). Consequently, when I got my monthly email with books to review, and I saw this one, I immediately snagged it, and I am so glad I did!

This book has been just what I need to help me step back a minute and review all that has come onto my plate, and think about the best way to A) plan my time according to my responsibilities and B) consider where I can cut back on some nonessentials (granted there hasn’t been a ton of cutting back, if anything I’ve ‘gone’ and ‘done’ more since I started reading the book than I did even before), but the point is, I’ve consciously made the choice and my noted that my activities are falling under one of my current purposes. (Read the book, to find out what I’m referring to). So why the word ‘fullness’? Because ‘busy’ is where your time and activities are controlling you, but ‘full’ is where you are controlling what you spend your time on and you’re fulfilling the purpose to which God has called you in this season.

I will say, I have not actually finished the book yet just because I’ve been working through it slowly and processing. Secondly, I’ll make the disclaimer, I still haven’t gotten my schedule worked just like I want, nor achieved the discipline I’m ultimately hoping to, but I’m definitely improving. I also want to say setting up this schedule doesn’t mean not having time for relaxation and time to recharge. You just decide according to your time zones when that will be each day.

I know this has probably been a little more like a personal testimony and not really a review, but I think those may be the best kind of reviews, where the book has impacted your life in a positive where and you tell others about it.

*Disclaimer: I received a paperback copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So often I feel that I need more hours in my day to accomplish everything I want or feel I need to do. But I found a far more reasonable, far more achievable plan in Morgan Tyree's book, Take Back Your Time: Identify Your Priorities, Decrease Stress, and Increase Productivity.
Take Back Your Time is more than just another book on time management, it is a guide filled with practical tips, tools, and applications to help readers become intentional about how they are using their time. The author uses a process that includes physical, mental, and emotional aspects of individuals, guidance to benefit the whole person. The tools and applications given allow each reader to create an intentional, realistic, yet simple plan to make the best use of their time, attain their goals, and live a life of joy and purpose.
I very highly recommend Take Back Your Time. This book is well-written, and a must-read for everyone and anyone. I love that Take Back Your Time is written with consideration for the whole person, not just ideas for a longer to-do list. With advice on self-care, managing daily activities, to evaluating the quality of even the insignificant moments, readers will have the opportunity to not only complete the necessary tasks at hand, but have greater joy and peace instead of feeling overwhelmed. An excellent book with a treasure trove of wisdom for whatever season you find yourself!

*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Take Back Your Time: Identify Your Priorities, Decrease Stress, and Increase Productivity from the publisher. I was under no obligation to post a review. The opinion stated is my own. I have not been compensated in any way.*

[Deb Lawhorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't need more time to do the things you need to do? I know I do! Morgan Tyree has written an easy way to manage your time. There is practical, step-by-step advice along with anecdotes about her own life to show how she accomplished these steps in her life. Her system divides your time into three zones: green (where you need more focus), yellow (a medium amount of focus), and red (your particular priorities). The author provides charts and other resources where you can create goals, along with the best time of YOUR day to achieve those goals. She makes it all seem possible, even for the most unorganized person (me!). I have begun to use her ideas in my own schedule and am finding that I do, in fact, have more time to do the things that I not only need to do, but also those things I WANT to do. The author also advises that you keep a "Done List." This, in my opinion, is genius! I don't know about you, but I often look back on my day and wonder what in the world I accomplished that day! I know I was busy, but when you get to the end of the day, it's all just a blur! So keeping a simple list of the tasks I accomplished during the day will help me to see that I truly have been productive throughout the day.

I've read this book once, but I am definitely going to read it again, because I know I missed things that I can add to give myself more time to do the things that need to be done.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.

[Julie D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life can feel overwhelming for so many of us and this book gives us the help we need to take back our time and use it wisely in a way that works for us!

As a planner girl, this book appealed to me because I love organizing my time, but I also hoped to learn even more techniques for doing a better job of prioritizing my time. I was not disappointed at all as the author had a lot of great ideas for getting more done in easier ways.

I liked that she helped us determine our own strengths and energy levels. This was huge for me because I don't always have high energy and to have this recognized was great. I liked that she didn't put us all in the same basket because we are all different and she gives us advice based on this. I also enjoyed her personal stories throughout the book. It made it more enjoyable to read, rather than just a typical "how-to" book.

This book is really great for everyone - from the novice planner to the experienced one. She has so many great ideas and tips and I found them invaluable. I was graciously given an extra copy of this book and I loved it so much, I gave my copy to a dear friend who has a lot going on in her life and I know she will love it in helping her prioritize what's important to her.

I loved this book and highly recommend it! I give it 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by the BlogAbout Blogger Network. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Take Back Your Time" is a great book at helping busy, overwhelmed people re-evaluate how they are spending their time. Morgan says "your time is a responsibility, a privilege, and a gift." She encourages the reader to organize their time well so that they can live a full life that focuses on their individual purposes and priorities in life. Tyree also states that quantity and quality of time go hand in hand in order to create the best life.

As a mom of 4, I love her practical advice of giving children daily five lists that they can refer to in order to get their top priorities completed for the day. This is such a great way to put the responsibility on our children to do things without having to nag them.

There are too many amazing take-aways and recommended steps to take to become more organized to list.

As a mom on the go, I find myself with a lack of direction on how to use my time at home efficiently and this book has opened my eyes to new ways of breaking my day down, to focusing on the key purposes and priorities in my life to allow me to know where I can take on more and where I need to cut back or say "no" to things that aren't serving my purpose.

If you are like me and overwhelmed by your to-do list and feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish most of what you'd like to, this book is for you.

I received an ARC copy from the publisher. My opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which of us doesn't need more intention in our daily schedules? As a work-from-home wife and mom of three, I need all the tips I can get for managing my time and stress.

Morgan Tyree is a professional organizer, writer and fitness instructor. She's a busy wife and mom, like me. In Take Back Your Time, she shares many organizing tips based on a green, yellow and red light system. This easy-to-remember mental picture is already helping me.

For example, I am a morning person. I have felt guilty for some time for spending my first hours of the day, checking email and social media. The afternoon is when I tackle my content creation. I beat myself up about this, thinking that I should be getting the harder stuff done in the morning. But by studying Morgan's system, I learned that the afternoon is my green light time, and it's just fine that it falls that way. It's OK for me to schedule less draining activities in the morning yellow zone, and recharge in my evening red zone.

She offers many more tips on how to multitask with true efficiency, how to stay on top of emails and social media, and how to manage your calendar. Very solid, tried and true tips. I enjoyed Morgan's stories of her fails as much as her successes, because they show me that she really knows what she's talking about! You can also check out her inspirational Instagram feed for before-and-after photos and sign up for some fun giveaways.

I received a preview copy of Take Back Your Time from Revell.

[Jaime Wiebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always feels like we don't have enough of it but the reality is we all have the same 24 hours. I want to use my time well not just use it up. I loved this book. It gave me practical ways to not only use my time well but use it to it's fullest. This is not just a how-to book that offers a few pieces of useless and unproductive tips on how to "hack" your life. This book gives centered solutions on making real changes that help you dig deep down to what your purposes and priorities are. Then when time doesn't seem to be on your side, you know how to make the most of it based on what you have decided will fit your priorities and purposes. Take Back Your Time was really great in giving me guidance so I could pull out my purposes and priorities so that I can manage my time well. I can base my decisions of how I spend my time so that I am giving my best based on the things that really matter to me. I love that Morgan walks us down that path so that we can focus on things that matter. Being busy doesn't matter. Living fully does. There is so much more to this book and I definitely recommend this book because I am ready to take back my time.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review and honestly, I loved this book. It was easy to consume and use the materials are super practical.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one thing I learned from my quick read of this book is that it needs to go back on my To-Read shelf so that I can more fully understand and implement its practices in my life.

I fully appreciated Morgan’s quote toward the back of the book, “The most significant thing you can do to positively impact your time management and find the sweet spot is to lean into God and his direction for your time.”

So many time management books are so focused on getting more done that even if it is a book geared toward Christians, it all becomes very self-focused. Take Back Your Time begins with focusing on where you are. I appreciated the author’s honesty that most of these lessons were learned when she was fighting against the season of life she was in and it wasn’t until she accepted where she was (both figuratively and geographically) that she could begin to fulfill her purpose.

If you find yourself struggling with how you spend your time, whether you have too much or too little to do, this book is a great way to give yourself some perspective. I would just recommend giving yourself time to take it slowly and establish the lessons as you go.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.