If you've got questions about working with a professional organizer, you're not alone. Below are answers to several common questions.
What will a professional organizer do for me that I can't do for myself?
While anyone can get organized in theory, it’s much easier to get organized and stay organized with the support, mentoring, and assistance of a professional organizer. When you hire a professional organizer, you’re not just hiring someone to help you organize your space; you’re also hiring a life coach, someone who will help you learn and implement organizational strategies and systems which you can use to maintain your organization long term. Keep in mind as well that with that mentoring comes motivation that can be difficult to muster on your own.
I'm worried a professional organizer will expect me to give up things that have tremendous sentimental value to me.
You absolutely will not be asked to give up anything that is truly important and meaningful to you. My job as a professional organizer is to help people weed out the things that don’t have meaning in order to create more space to store and enjoy the things that do. This is accomplished through a series of questions designed to help you determine those things you genuinely value and eliminate the things you're keeping out of a sense of obligation.
I'm not sure I want to commit to hiring a professional organizer. What tips and tricks can you give me to help me organize my own space?
There is no one size fits all solution for getting organized. Organization needs vary depending on personality, lifestyle, family size, type and volume of stuff, and the space available, among other things. The key to getting and staying organized is being able to objectively identify those things that don't add value to your life and then discard them. This can be very difficult to achieve on your own.
That said, I do offer a DIY Organization Service which includes an in-home assessment and written plan of action for organizing your space. It’s one of my most popular options, but it is (sadly) also the least effective option for the client. Without someone to motivate them, keep them on task, and hold them accountable, many clients struggle on their own to carry out the organization plans we create together.
I strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about hiring an organizer to take advantage of the experience, skill, know-how, and encouragement that comes with one-on-one organization assistance.
I have a family member who needs help decluttering. Can I set up a time for you to meet him/her?
I am happy to meet with anyone who may benefit from my services. However, it's important to keep in mind that a person who is coerced into getting organized will not be as successful as one who has made the decision and committed to do so on his/her own. While your desire to help a loved one get more organized may be altruistically motivated, that person may feel judged by the offering. Friends and family can best help by offering their support, and even their assistance (if it is desired), but forcing the issue will only place a strain on the relationship. In such cases it is best to proceed with caution and let the person needing help take the lead. If you asked me this question in person, I would suggest that you give them my business card and encourage them to contact me.
My house is such a mess. I'm embarrassed for an organizer to see my space.
Working with a professional organizer can be a little intimidating. It’s natural to feel uncomfortable inviting a stranger into your home to see your messes and sort through your belongings. As a professional organizer, I am not there to judge; I’m there to help. Helping people get and stay organized is what I love to do! You have my sincere pledge that our sessions will be confidential and judgment-free.
I've gotten organized in the past, but it has never lasted. Why should I spend the money to pay an organizer if the results are only going to be temporary?
There is a difference between tidying up and getting organized. The secret to long term success in organization is establishing systems that allow you to preserve organization over time. This is where the professional organizer comes in. I will help you create systems and strategies to maintain order that complement the way you use your space. In addition, I will check in with you periodically to see how your systems are functioning.
For a more in depth understanding of the benefits of working with a professional organizer, click here.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions about working with an organizer please contact me. I would love to correspond with you regarding your organization needs and help you find the answers you're seeking.
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