Over the past 3 years, I’ve called three different NAPO colleagues to help me with my own organizing projects. Each time it was a fantastic experience. Not only did I get stuff done, I really got an appreciation for what it feels like to be the client AND as a result, I am a better Productivity and Organizing Consultant!
I hired professional organizers (or PO’s) to help me:
- clear out my deceased mother’s apartment in Florida (I live in South Jersey)
- with technical issues on my computer
- purge my clothing and create new outfits
Here are some key takeaways from these sessions:
- the PO who helped me in FL was from the area; she knew which charities would come and get all that “brown furniture” and the location of other key resources. HUGE TIME SAVER! She had also gone through cleaning out after the death of a loved one; her compassion helped me through many emotionally-difficult moments.
- All three organizers that I hired were supportive and upbeat; it reminded me of this critical element of being a great PO.
- I needed to talk a bit before plunging into a session; I toe the line between letting a client talk, but needing to gently guide them back to the organizing task at hand. All three organizers understood and implemented this.
- It is OK that clients want to offer you a refreshment; when I was the client I wanted to feed my PO’s. I was thrilled when they said yes! Although I like to decline such offers when I am the PO, I now understand that it is a nice thing to say yes, as long as the session does not turn into an unproductive (as defined by the client) gab session.
- Things really DO take longer to organize than one might think. I had unrealistic expectations of what I could get done in one session! Even as a veteran organizer!
- I DID tidy up my computer desktop and my closet before each of the PO’s dealing with them arrived, even though I ask my clients to leave things “as is” so I can get a sense of the natural state of affairs before any organizing systems are developed.
- During the tech-organizing session, the PO and I discussed my overall business goals. She encouraged me to join a …join one of NAPO’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which I did. INVALUABLE!
- I did need that extra “push” from the wardrobe PO. Example: I knew deep down that many of my clothes did not fit, but SO did not want to deal with that. The PO gently guided me to that conclusion and, one trip to the GAP later, I purchased 3 pairs of pants that fit like a glove. I now have presentable outfits! She also had me TRY ON new outfits we created, AND I was able to give away items that I knew I needed to but previously had trouble parting with. Having someone else encouraging these actions was the dealmaker! We also established some rules for going forward, e.g. that I must only buy PETITE-sized clothing!
I was thrilled by what I got done: cleaned out an overwhelming amount of stuff so I could close down my mother’s apartment, became very tech-comfortable, and am feeling stylish and well-dressed like never before. The gratitude I feel towards these organizers is immense.
I close by urging all PO’s who have never hired another Professional Organizer to do so. Everyone can improve their productivity and up their level of being organized. And you’ll have much greater understanding and empathy for your clients!
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