Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Katie Specht is talking with Janice Rostron, author of Time Is Power: Create Space for What Matters Most.

FQ: Tell our readers a little about yourself. Your background, your interests, and how this led to writing a book?

ROSTRON: I am a Professional Organizer and the owner/operator of Just Focus and Reorganize, LLC (JFR). I have been organizing the spaces around me for as far back as I can remember—just ask my family, friends, former roommates, and colleagues!

My experience and wide range of interests have given me the ability to create and maintain a balanced lifestyle. I believe that simplicity is the key to success.

I started playing guitar as a shy, introverted 12-year-old. In my late twenties, I tackled my stage fright and joined a band. I have played shows throughout California and has recorded two full-length albums and one EP (during which time I earned the moniker “Janice F'n Reid” a.k.a. “JFR”).

I received a BA in Legal Studies (with a minor in Music) from UC Berkeley and have since joined the Cal Alumni Association. GO BEARS! I then earned an MEd and a Multiple Subject teaching credential from UCLA. I worked as a public elementary school teacher for eight years before deciding to pursue a career in Professional Organizing.

I am an active member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). I have earned NAPO Specialist Certificates in Workplace Productivity and Team Productivity. I served as the Los Angeles chapter’s Treasurer for the 2016–2017 term. I was the leader of NAPO’s Environmentally-Conscious Organizers special interest group for the 2020–2023 terms.

I am also a subscriber to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) and have earned a Level II Chronic Disorganization Specialist Certificate.

I love working one-on-one with my clients and enjoy speaking to groups about organization and productivity.

In 2022, I moved to Denver to grow the business … and purchase my first home. I took advantage of my new-found time during this transitional period to write the productivity book that I had been thinking of for a few years.

FQ: Tell us a little about your book – a brief synopsis and what makes your book unique.

ROSTRON: I created Time Is Power to help you take back the power you have over your time so you can spend it on what matters most. I combat the idea that productivity is about getting as much done as possible in the shortest amount of time. Instead, I define productivity as getting the right things done, at the right time, with the right amount of energy.

Time Is Power is designed to make obligation and information overload more manageable. It is a step-by-step journey to a more productive life by showing you how to prioritize what’s important, simplify your systems, and delegate what you can.

This book is unique because it is designed to be practical and actionable. It was inspired not only by my 10 years as a Professional Organizer, but also my own journey from burned out teacher to balanced and thriving business owner.

FQ: Why did you decide to write this book? Did you see a need?

ROSTRON: This book started out as my pandemic project. I am a Professional Organizer and I work primarily in-person in my clients' homes. Once the pandemic hit in 2020, and it was no longer safe to work in-person, my business ground to a halt. I decided to create an online productivity course to supplement my income. This was something that had been in the back of my mind for a few years, but I suddenly had the time to bring it to life. My clients are often overwhelmed by information and obligation overload and I knew this information would be helpful to them.

After teaching two rounds of the online course, I was able to resume my in-person services and had to put the course content on the back burner. Then, in 2022, I moved from Los Angeles to Denver to expand my business and purchase my first home. I took advantage of the new-found time during this transition period and turned the 10 modules of the online course into a 10-chapter book.

FQ: Have you done any presentations in your field at conferences, etc.?

ROSTRON: I do a few presentations every year in my field. I have spoken to alumni associations, business networking groups, and moms' groups. I enjoy combining my passion for education and my love of organizing and productivity consulting into these presentations.

FQ: Did you have “Beta Readers” review your manuscript and if so, what sort of feedback did you receive? Was it nerve-wracking waiting for their responses?

ROSTRON: I had "Beta Readers" review my manuscript and I received such great feedback that I knew I was on the right track. I specifically chose readers that would be my target demographic (small business owners and mothers with too much on their plates). It was nerve-wracking waiting for their responses, but once I got their positive responses to the topics covered and some useful constructive criticism, I had the confidence to pursue the publishing process in earnest.

Fore more information on Time Is Power: Create Space for What Matters Most, please visit the author's website at: https://www.jfnr.net/books.