Questions

What exactly is an Organizing Consultant/Professional Organizer?"  

Professional Organizers are experienced and educated in the field of organizing.  They do more than clear surfaces.  They organize homes and offices.  Organizers help clients develop personalized systems to maintain order, better manage their time, and, ultimately, achieve their goals. We all have different learning styles and demands on our lives.  There is no one way to organize everyone.  This is why Organize My Life asks questions designed to get to know you, your challenges, and your goals.  A plan is then developed to reach your unique goals, whether they are personal or professional.

How did I become so disorganized?

Disorganization can happen for many reasons.  It's a symptom of a busy life.  I am often contacted by clients after they have experienced a life change, after which the systems they had in place no longer work as well.  Changes involve both good and bad life issues: marriage, a new baby, caring for an aging parent, divorce, a promotion, etc.  Sometimes disorganization is due to perfectionism.  It's counterintuitive, but, by focusing on one thing we sometimes begin negleting other things.  Procrastination is another common issue.  In addition, ADD, OCD, and number host of issues are SOMETIMES in volved.  A word of caution, try not to get caught up in self-diagnosing a disorder that may not exist.  Unfortunately, some people associate possible disorders with shame.  Because ADD and other issues are as common as freckles, I thinks of them as just another learning style.  The bottom line is, it doesn't matter why or how you got here. Learning how to change your particular situation is the part that matters.  I believe that organization is the one self-improvement technique that can change everything.  

After listening to your needs and goals a plan is formed.  Organization involves keeping things that help you at your fingertips and ridding yourself of the things that stand between you and your dreams.  The process is fast-paced (within your comfort zone), results oriented, and fun.  Hands-on organizing (working side-by-side), is the best approach for most people.  It facilitates tangible change and the transfer of skills.  It's best not to clean up before we meet.  Seeing where piles form helps me identify your habits and thinking styles. In preparation for our meetings it's important to minimize interruptions (as much as possible); get a good night's sleep, eat a healthful meal, plan a snack to keep up your energy, and keep an open mind.  The phenomenon of letting go of things that clutter your life leaves most people with a surprising sense of abundance, relief, and confidence. Normally, the process gets faster and easier as we work together and "hit our stride."  You'll start to recognize the purpose of the questions and the direction in which we are moving. Seeing your space being transformed enhances motivation.

No.  I will ask questions about items we come across to determine their usefulness and sentimentality. Recommendations will be made about keeping things that are useful and about the items that can comfortably fit in a space.  However, the final decision will always be yours.  One of the many benefits of working with a professional is having a fresh perspective.  I won't know if an old platter means nothing to you or if it was your grandmother's special holiday china.  Together we will whittle down any excess until you are surrounded only by things you love.  In the office, the goal is to surround yourself with the materials that support your goals, removing anything that wastes time and space.

How long will it take to get organized?  

That varies with every project and every client. Issues that influence the time a project takes are: the amount of disorder, your comfort level with the decision making process (it's my job to help with this), and your availability for the project.  I work as quickly as you can make decisions.  It's my job to keep the process moving, focused, and productive. You will be surprised how quickly things change once we get started. We need time to sort, purge, and place everything in the space which is why half day and whole day sessions were developed.  This allows you to see real change following the first session. 

I like to use the analogy of weight loss to answer this question.  Let's say that you just achieved your goal of losing twenty pounds before the start of summer.  Would you be able to say, "I never have to worry about my weight again?"  First, I'd congratulate you.  Losing the weight (or the clutter) is the hard part.  But, the answer to the question is no. To maintain the weight loss (and the organization) you need to practice small changes to your habits.  Some of those habits might include putting things away as soon as you finish with them, scheduling ten minute pick-up sessions with the kids, or putting short organizing session on your professional calendar. 

I enjoy organizing homes and offices, as one of my clients put it, "it's more of a calling" than a career.  Working with people in the professional realm allows me to practice the professional skills learned during a successful career in non-profit management.  The residential realm fulfills my creative side.  Both enable the greatest gift of all, the ability to help change lives.  Although many clients with typical, busy lives call me, another trend in my client base has emerged - working with individuals and families with disabilities.  This group is especially close to my heart.  Growing up, both of my brothers had multiple disabilities.  Every time I meet someone dealing with a disability, either theirs or a family member's, I understand what they're going through. They quickly develop an ability to prioritize.  Because time is limited, other less important things can fall by the wayside.  Like my family growing up, they don't think of themselves as "special."  It's just a different normal that sometimes requires lots of extra appointments, therapies, and support.  It's my job to make things easier so that they have time to focus on more important things in life.   

I have worked with clients who were learning to work with ADD/ADHD (attention deficit/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), bipolar disorder, blindness, brain injury, deafness, depression, fibromyalgia, hoarding disorder, and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).  

Can I make money on the items I no longer need?

Yes.  There are direct ways to make money on gently used clothing, furnishings, etc.  Some of those include selling things on eBay or in consignment shops.  This involves a commitment of time for research and valuation.  It's a great option for items of significant value.  Holding a yard sale is another option and so is donation.  For items of modest value I prefer donation.  It's the ultimate recycling and, best of all, it's efficient.  Someone in needs gets something they need, you get a tax deduction, and drop off/pick up makes it easy to get rid of things in volume. 

Organize My Life offers a variety of services and packages.  A fifty percent non-refundable deposit is required in order to book a session. 
Payment is due upon the completion of each session unless a package of time has been purchased in advance. Methods of payment include cash, check, MasterCard or Visa.