Getting organized is such a high interest topic these days that the entire month of January is devoted to National Get Organized Month. This is not surprising, because getting organized helps people lead better lives, with less chaos and more time to enjoy life. What may be surprising to some people is the relatively unknown, yet established industry of Professional Organizing.
Background
As with many trends, professional organizing comes to us via the progressive state of California. The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), founded in Los Angeles in 1984, was more than 3,800+ members strong in 2009.
Definition
NAPO defines a professional organizer as “a person who provides ideas, information, structure, solutions and systems to increase productivity, reduce stress, save time and energy, and lead to more control over time, space and activities.” The definition has been expanded to include that a professional organizer “enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles, and through transferring organizing skills. A P.O. also educates the public on organizing solutions and the resulting benefits.” Services run the gamut from residential organizing including kitchens, closets, drawers and garages, to business organizing including desks, offices, filing systems and time management. Other services include wardrobe consulting, project management, records management, packing/unpacking and moving-in or out organizing, space planning, computer consulting, errands and shopping and insurance organizing. Some organizers now specialize in re-design, and Feng Shui, another facet of interior decorating, which embraces spiritualism, prosperity, success, happiness and organization.
Training
Although there is no formal course work required, professional organizers are trained through workshops at the dynamic annual NAPO national conference, books, courses, seminars, tapes, through other organizers, and basically having a natural tendency toward being organized. Through the board of Certified Professional Organizers (www.certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org) NAPO now offers a certification for experienced organizers which provides a prestigious professional designation setting them apart from the others, but is not a requirement.
The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization consists of organizers with a specific interest in studying and researching related physical, emotional and mental issues which effect organizing ability such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), hoarding, traumatic brain injury, physical challenges and chronic disorganization. Knowledge of the effects of these physical and psychological factors on disorganization helps professional organizers serve their clients more effectively.
Professional vs. Self-Help
If disorganization is causing you feelings of overwhelm, embarrassment, frustration or your disorganization is affecting others, professional assistance can be a benefit. Ironically, organizers hear people say that their spouse, or friend or co-worker is very organized and can help them, so they don’t need a professional. In some cases, this may be an option.
However, be aware of the drawbacks. There is an old saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” We all know about the father who tries to teach his daughter to drive, or the husband who tries to teach his wife how to play tennis, with disastrous results. Criticism, misunderstandings, opinions and judgments can be devastating to the already emotional, disorganized person.
Book stores are stocked with organizing books that can provide great ideas. However, as with most self-help books, results may be limited. Reports indicate that people tend to benefit more quickly and successfully when working one-on-one with a professional who is customizing systems and solutions designed around their needs.
A good P.O. is non-judgmental, encouraging, motivating, patient, helps the client stay focused and establishes simplified systems customized to meet the client’s style and needs. The ultimate outcome is intended to assist the client in remaining organized. By offering alternative systems, the P.O. is not imposing his/her own will on the client thus removing the emotional aspect that could lead to conflict.
Scope
Job sizes vary in scope. A housewife needs help dealing with the inevitable piles of mail that seem to magically mount up covering the kitchen table. A salesman’s filing system has no rhyme or reason to it and he misses deadlines. A successful professional woman has areas of her home so full of clutter that overwhelm, embarrassment, frustration, stress and depression are triggered at the sight. The partners in a firm are very organized, but frustrated at the inefficiency of their staff. These are all actual situations remedied by P.Os.
Fees
Fees vary from city to city, type of job and with the organizers’ experience. Fees can range from $50-200 per hour, with one to four- hour minimums. Some organizers offer seminars.
Time for Action
If you feel hesitant about contacting an organizer, ask yourself these questions to identify what is holding you back: Am I hesitant about someone seeing my private papers? Do I fear criticism? Am I embarrassed for anyone to see my mess? Am I thinking that I should be able to do this myself? How committed am I to getting organized? These are typically the type of
thoughts that keep people from scheduling an organizing appointment.
When choosing an organizer, ask questions. Are they licensed and insured? Will they provide references? Are they members of NAPO? Do they sound professional? Are they good listeners? Do they have experience in the areas you need? Are your personalities compatible?
There is hope
Do you think you are beyond help? Some people’s brains literally work against being organized, so the systems they develop themselves serve to complicate rather than simplify, thus draining more of their time while working against accomplishing their goals. Organizers assure you that anyone can learn to be more organized when taught by a professional.
Generally, your disorganization can be attributed to one of several factors: mistakes in your organizing system that can be easily remedied; external forces beyond your control; or hidden internal forces. Hiring a professional to identify the actual causes of your condition and help you implement an effective, lasting solution that can be easily maintained yourself, can be a liberating experience. There really is no better time than now to get organized.
Diane Hatcher is a Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Time-Savers Professional Organizing Services, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale, FL since 1998. She can be reached at 954-252-7511, diane@timesaversUSA.com or by logging on to the web at www.timesaversUSA.com.











