I am honoured to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for Alex Franzen’s book The Checklist Book, which I read and am now reviewing.
(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)
My Review
As an inveterate list-maker, I was eager to read Alex Franzen’s book on checklists. I found it so much more than I expected and there was so much to enjoy and be inspired by – from the science of list making to the history of checklists; from digging deep into one’s personal approach to life to the wide range of templates to create a wide range of checklists.
For me, I quickly saw how I could expand the quick list I usually made, into a detailed list of moments, easy wins and tasks, culminating in a most positive ending to the day, when there was a line of checks to celebrate success of tasks done.
Chapter 4 was my favourite. Franzen offered a list of approaches in how we face life, with questions to answer that allowed us to dig deep into what we wanted from life. I was able to narrow it to 3 approaches that I will use to focus on as I move forward.
I love the idea of choosing ‘moments” to experience each day and actually put them on your checklist, rather than just have a list of tasks to complete. We all need those special moments, even if they are only minutes.
Franzen’s book has really made me rethink my own list making and devise a better way to meet each day.
I highly recommend Alex Franzen’s book.
Book Summary
Simplicity at its best: The checklist is one of the world’s oldest―and most effective―productivity systems. If anything, author and entrepreneur Alexandra Franzen shares, it is just as valuable now as it was during the days of the Roman Empire. Writing out a simple checklist allows us to tangibly plan our day and set in stone what we want to accomplish.
Cut out unnecessary noise: There are countless apps and organizational systems out there to help us straighten out our lives, but often they only add to the madness. Trying to keep up leaves us feeling drained and overwhelmed. Learn how to choose your highest priorities, set realistic goals, celebrate tiny wins, and feel calmer every day with the magic of checklists.
Be realistic about the time in a day: By physically writing down our tasks on a single piece of paper, we force ourselves to limit how much we can do in a day. Too often, we cram our day with tasks and chores and leave almost no space for self-care or time with loved ones. We end up disappointed in our inability to complete our never-ending to-do list. Checklists help you plan your day in a more gentle, realistic way. You accomplish what needs to be done―and enjoy things you want to be doing, too.
In the life-changing Checklist Book, learn:
The history of the checklist and why it remains to be relevant and effective today
The science behind the success of checklists, such as the instant satisfaction we feel when we put a check next to a finished task
How to create a basic daily checklist―and checklists for specific situations, like moving to a new city or navigating a divorce
Print Length: 160 Pages
Genre: Self-Help
Publisher: Mango
ASIN: B07V6GWGW5
ISBN-10: 1642501182
ISBN-13: 978-1642501186
The Checklist Book is available to purchase online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Target.
About the Author, Alexandra Franzen
Alexandra Franzen is the author of several books, including So This Is the End: A Love Story (2018), You’re Going to Survive (2017), and 50 Ways to Say “You’re Awesome” (2013).
She has written articles for dozens of sites, including Time, Forbes, Newsweek, HuffPost, The Muse, and Lifehacker. She’s been mentioned/quoted in The New York Times Small Business Blog, The Atlantic, USA Today, BuzzFeed, Brit+Co, and Inc.
Alexandra is best-known for writing about creativity, productivity, the power of setting tiny goals, how to develop more confidence in your writing skills, and how to stay motivated, keep working towards your personal and professional dreams, and never give up.
She also works as a copywriter, ghostwriter, writing teacher, and consultant. She helps her clients to develop podcasts, videos, websites, speeches, books, and other creative projects.
Find Alexandra’s latest projects, classes, and hundreds of free articles and resources at: AlexandraFranzen.com
— Blog Tour Dates
May 11th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Make sure you visit the WOW blog today and read an interview with author Alexandra Franzen and enter to win a copy of the book The Checklist Book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
May 12th @ Karen Brown Tyson
Stop by Karen’s blog today and read Alexandra Franzen’s inspiring guest post entitled, “You Are Going to Survive.”
https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/
May 13th @ World of My Imagination
Join Nicole as she reviews Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com
May 15th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf
Visit Veronica’s blog today and you can read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/
May 16th @ Lapidus International
Stop by the words for wellness organization today and read Alexandra Franzen’s guest post about the importance of nature time.
May 18th @ One Sister’s Journey: Keeping It Real
Visit Lisa’s blog today and read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
May 19th @ Chanel Bevis’ Blog
Stop by Chanel’s blog today and read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
https://chanelbevis1.wordpress.com/blog/
May 20th @ And So She Thinks
Visit Francesca’s blog today and you can read Alexandra Franzen’s guest post about what a checklist can do you for you.
https://andsoshethinks.co.uk/blog/
May 23rd @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Visit Linda’s blog and you can read her interview with Alexandra Franzen. Don’t miss it!
http://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
May 25th @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn’s blog today and you can read her post about Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
May 27th @ Dog-Eared Days of Summer
Visit Courtney’s blog today and you can read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
https://dog-eareddaysofsummer.com/
May 28th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit Wendi’s blog today and read Alexandra Franzen’s guest post unplugging more.
https://strength4spouses.blog/
May 29th @ Wild Hearted
Visit Ashley’s blog today where she shares her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
May 30th @ Memoir Revolution
https://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/
May 31st @ Michelle Cornish’ Blog
Stop by Michelle’s blog today and you can read a guest post by Alexandra Franzen about shifting away from perfection. A post we all need to read today!
https://www.michellecornish.com/
June 1st @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit Wendi’s blog today to read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
June 2nd @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Bev’s blog today and you can read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
June 3rd @ Rachael’s Thoughts
Visit Rachael’s blog today and you can read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
June 4th @ Michelle Cornish’ Blog
Visit Michelle’s blog today and read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
https://www.michellecornish.com/
June 5th @ Editor 911
Stop by Margo’s blog today and you can read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
June 6th @ Megan Writes Everything
Visit Megan’s blog today and she reviews Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
https://meganwriteseverything.com/
June 7th @ The New England Book Critic
Visit Victoria’s blog today and read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
https://thenewenglandbookcritic.com/
June 8th @ Dog-Eared Days of Summer
Visit Courtney’s blog again and read Alexandra Franzen’s guest post about focusing on tiny wins.
https://dog-eareddaysofsummer.com/
June 9th @ Alternative Grace
Stop by Amber’s blog today and read her review of Alexandra Franzen’s book The Checklist Book.
June 10th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Stop by Bev’s blog again and you can read Alexandra Franzen’s guest post about putting self-care into your daily checklist. An absolute must-read!
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
June 11th @ Jill Sheet’s Blog
Visit Jill’s blog today and you can read Alexandra Franzen’s guest post about getting the phone out of your room.
http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
Beverley A Baird 
Sounds like a great book, especially for list loving people like me.
It gave a different take on list making for sure