CrazyBusy: Overstretched, Overbooked and About to Snap! Strategies for Coping in a World Gone ADD By Edward Hallowell (Ballantine)

Hallowell argues that, thanks to the pace of modern life, our society suffers from culturally induced Attention Deficit Disorder. But if we harness our CrazyBusy impulses with simple changes such as avoiding multitasking and saying no to time-sapping projects and people, we can tap our minds for more meaningful thinking. I've often wondered if I have ADD myself, since I'm easily derailed. Could this book help me handle daily distractions and focus on important people and activities?

I ran—literally—to the bookstore to pick up CrazyBusy. My goal was to multitask: work out, de-stress and run an errand. I was too busy to realize the impracticality of this plan. Who runs home with a book in hand? Plus, I misjudged my timing and ended up stressing about being late for an appointment. Clearly I needed help.

The book's first half explores the problem: We live in a fast-paced world, but we can live more fulfilling lives if we stop to think about what we're doing. The second half offers tips to combat the craziness.

Battling excessive busyness, according to Hallowell, requires us to identify what's most important and use our time accordingly. As suggested, I analyzed my day by calculating the "worth-it factor" for each activity.

The results were not surprising. I've undertaken a high-effort, low-reward consulting project that distracts me from my career objective of writing for magazines. I waste time on my computer. I don't keep up with people I care about.

Although the exercise didn't ignite a personal epiphany, the reminder was valuable. Before absentmindedly turning on my computer for some screen-sucking time, I now think twice and maybe call a friend or go for a walk to clear my head.

In the next few days, I see that I'm scheduled to meet two other deadlines, race in a sailing regatta, attend a college alumni event and fly 5,500 miles round-trip in 48 hours to participate in a friend's elaborate marriage proposal.

These things are important to me, but I should have realized that it is impossible to give any of them my full attention when I try to do all of them at once. I vow that this will be my last busy-binge.

Between scattered anecdotes, bullet lists and made-up words, CrazyBusy suffered a bit from its own form of ADD. Nonetheless, Hallowell's concepts and strategies are solid. If you're too busy to pursue what's most important to you, read this book. Just don't run to the bookstore.