What is a professional organizer?
According to the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), “Professional Organizers use tested principles and expertise to enhance the lives of clients. By designing custom organizing systems and teaching organizing skills, they help individuals and businesses take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper piles, their lives!”
Why should I hire a professional organizer?
Clutter and disorganization have been proven to increase stress and decrease productivity. While friends and family can try to help, they may not know about the wide range of organizational techniques available, and they may be critical of you and your situation. A professional organizer is objective, non-judgmental, and compassionate. She will be able to keep you focused and help you make difficult decisions. She will use both time-honored approaches and the latest techniques to help you in areas where your past attempts at organizing have failed.
While books on organizing can be motivational, a professional on site will offer a plan tailored to your specific needs. She can guide you on your organizing journey with energy, encouragement, and tips to keep you going. While she keeps you on track and accountable, she can also make the process fun. And she knows how to teach you the principles and techniques to maintain your newly organized life!
How long will it take?
It depends on how many rooms/closets/spaces we will be working on and the current state they are in. It also depends on your schedule and your commitment, motivation, decision-making process, and ability to make the sessions distraction-free.
What should I do to prepare for your visit?
Please DON’T straighten up for me! I need to have a clear idea of your patterns and challenges. Remember, I don’t judge and I’ve seen it all! It is also not a good idea to buy containers and other organizing products until we see what you will keep and where it will go.
What is an organizing session like?
The first session is for assessment. We’ll walk around your house, and talk about your needs and goals. You’ll tell me why you want to get organized and what has worked and not worked in the past. With your input, I’ll devise a plan for moving forward, and we’ll discuss policies and scheduling. We can dig right in that first day or schedule another session to start.
In the following sessions, we will work side by side, at your pace, to sort, purge, and organize your belongings. I will be a guide and not a dictator! I will never throw out anything without your consent nor will I shame you into getting rid of possessions. I understand the emotions tied to belongings and will respect your right to be selective, hesitant, or sad about parting with them. I entered this profession partly because I have the organizing “bug” but also because I love working with people – hearing their stories and helping them to overcome obstacles and live with less stress. My organizing clients and my former students, library patrons, and massage therapy clients can attest to this!