FAQs about RESIDENTIAL ORGANIZING
Please review answers to some frequently asked questions:
- What is a Professional Organizer?
- How can a Professional Organizer help me?
- What type of people/organizations use professional organizing services?
- Can I afford professional organizing?
- What if I would like to do the work myself?
- I am too busy with work. How do I get organized?
- What is the biggest cause of disorganization?
- I am not sure I want someone to see all my clutter, my personal things, see all my mess and how disorganized I am. Perhaps it would be better for me to just try and do it all myself or see if a friend or family member can help me?
- What qualifications make a successful Professional Organizer?
- Do I really need to hire a Professional Organizer?
What is a Professional Organizer?
A professional organizer supports and empowers clients through the creative and ethical application of organizing systems and processes, and the transfer of organizing skills, to develop appropriate and lasting solutions for their individual needs. The services offered by individual professional organizers vary but encompass the following (this list is largely applicable to both residential and business organizing):
- Residential Organizing, including space planning, storage solutions, closet design, de-cluttering, home offices, garages, attics, basements, organizing memorabilia and collections, etc.
- Business Organizing, including de-cluttering, filing systems, paper management, space planning, improved processes and paper flow, information and records management, increased efficiency.
- Packing, moving and relocation services.
- Group and individual training, coaching and mentoring, including time management, goal setting and life balance management.
- Other services, including event planning, estate organizing, computer set-up, training and electronic information management; seminars, workshops and public speaking.
How can a Professional Organizer help me?
A professional organizer will help motivate you, and keep you motivated, as you develop new, more organized, habits. You will become more organized, less frustrated, and live the life you want! An organizer will work with you to develop a plan and begin the process of getting organized. Cluttered areas will be transferred into desirable living space allowing you to fully enjoy your home.
return to topWhat type of people/organizations use professional organizing services?
Most people and organizations benefit from using professional organizing services. Examples include:
- People moving, downsizing or joining two or more households.
- Families with new additions, experiencing health crises, or dealing with the death of a loved one.
- Those adjusting to a different job, different home, different circumstances, major life change, etc.
- Those who find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of balancing work, home and family life, and wanting to get themselves back on track but don't know where to begin.
- Individuals wishing to set-up a home office.
- Individuals wanting to improve the efficiency of their home office.
Can I afford professional organizing?
Yes! For your convenience, services can be purchased by the hour, the day, or sometimes by the job designed to suit your budget and needs.
return to topWhat if I would like to do the work myself?
Consultations are available to set you on the right track.
return to topI am too busy with work. How do I get organized?
Realize that by organizing, you will gain time and that the initial investment in time and money should be regained many times over. The question should be: "Can I afford not to organize?"
return to topWhat is the biggest cause of disorganization?
Busy lives and workplaces. We are often overloaded with responsibilities - trying to balance many different aspects of our lives e.g. work, family, household responsibilities, involvement in our communities, caring for the aged or ill, social/children's activities - and the list goes on. There is often no time, or energy, left for trying to get things organized, especially if it doesn't come naturally or easily to us. Organizing is a life skill that is not being taught at school. The good news is that it is a learnable skill; you don't have to be born organized.
return to topI am not sure I want someone to see all my clutter, my personal things, see all my mess and how disorganized I am. Perhaps it would be better for me to just try and do it all myself or see if a friend or family member can help me?
It is normal to feel this way when thinking about asking someone to help us. Social workers and professional organizers are non-judgmental and are there to help you live your best life. Services are confidential and members of the NSASW and POC follow codes of ethics. Sometimes the biggest challenges are knowing where to start, staying motivated, and actually finishing the work. A professional can help with all these things - and more.
return to topWhat qualifications make a successful Professional Organizer?
A successful professional organizer will have a background that includes several key elements:
- A passion for organizing.
- Membership in a professional association such as NAPO.
- Patience and perseverance, and the ability to motivate others.
- Excellent customer service and listening skills.
- Professional attitude and ethics.
Do I really need to hire a Professional Organizer?
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions; consider contacting a Professional Organizer.
- Do you have "too much paper"?
- Are you having trouble or spending too much time trying to locate things in your home or workplace?
- Do you lose important documents or items?
- Does it take you more than three rings to find your phone?
- Are you so deep in "stuff" that you can't find any room to store any more, or you feel like your "stuff" has taken over your life?
- Is it a challenge for you and your family to get ready and out the door in the morning?
- Do you need help planning your space so that it works more efficiently?
- Are you simply overwhelmed and don't know where to start?