What is a Professional Organizer?
Why would I need a Professional Organizer?
Shouldn't I be able to do this myself?
What is an initial assessment?
Which Organizer Will I Get?
How do I prepare for an organizing session?
Will you judge me because of my "mess"?
What is a typical organizing session like?
What can I expect from you?
What will you expect from me?
Will you make me get rid of all my "stuff"?
Will you organize my spouse's "stuff"?
How do you charge for your services?

 What is a Professional Organizer?

A professional organizer is a trained and experienced professional who provides customized ideas, information, structure, and solutions in a one-on-one environment to help clients examine, evaluate, and make decisions on possessions/routines. These decisions will increase productivity, reduce stress, and lead to more control over time, space, and activities.

Professional Organizing requires the ability to listen and determine the different needs of clients. It is not just about being organized for oneself, the key is to be able to tailor solutions that meet each client's unique situation.

 Why would I need a Professional Organizer?

Everyone can "organize" their home. Spend a few weeks going through some problem areas . . . but eventually, the "mess" comes back. A professional organizer has the training and experience to walk you through a problem area and a) fix the problem, and b) find solutions so the problem does not re-occur.

 Shouldn't I be able to do this myself?

A professional organizer is comparable to a personal trainer. Everyone can exercise, however, does everyone exercise? No! Most people hope to exercise "someday," but some soon realize that they can't do it alone and hire a personal trainer.

There are those who live with clutter and are not bothered (honestly!) by it. There are those that would rather alphabetize their spice rack (honestly!) than attend a party. Our clients are those who either are very organized but would like to "work smarter, not harder" in order to enjoy the intangibles in life and those who want to be organized but are not because 1) they do not have viable systems to help them stay organized, they try periodically . . . but eventually the "clutter" returns or 2) they have gone through something dramatic in their lives and have come through it and are ready to tackle the home they have been unable to maintain.

Having a knack for organizing is born in people, as is the capacity to sing in tune. For many others, simply having the right system set up or explained to them is enough to solve their organizing challenges. There is a third group whose brain functioning actually works against being organized and it is extremely difficult to accomplish. Anyone can learn organizing strategies, but it's going to be a much bigger challenge for some than others. This is not a character issue! Organizing a backlog of paperwork, commitments, or possessions is overwhelming, period. Some people cannot face a big organizing task without assistance, just as some people are mobilized into an exercise regimen only with the assistance of a personal trainer.

 What is an initial assessment?

It's impossible to assess over the phone the extent of any project. Each and every project has been substantially different. An initial assessment allows us to meet each other and have you walk us around to show us the problem areas in your home or office. It also allows you to show us in person what you expect the results to be once the organizing session has been completed.

 Which Organizer Will I Get?

The Professional Organizer that you work with will be the one best suited to your situation. Each of us has specialties in certain areas: Staging/Decorating, Hoarders, Home Offices, Closets, Kitchens, Children, et cetera. We will work to pair you with the organizer that best fits your needs and schedule.

 How do I prepare for an organizing session?

Answer the question, "Why did I make this appointment and what do I want to change?"

Choose where you would like to begin with the attic, or the closet, or your desk.

Relax! If you feel unsure about where to begin, or what to do, Positively Organized has the knowledge and experience to guide you in making that decision.

 Will you judge me because of my "mess"?

Absolutely not! No one is truly unorganized . . . we all just lead busy lives. Our jobs and family take up so much of our time that, without a "system" of, for example, filing, the papers would just pile up. Our job is to help you do the initial organizing and guide you in maintaining an effortless system of organizing.

Our services are completely confidential and our approach is non- judgmental. We have seen the inside of hundreds of homes and offices. Our interest is in alleviating the discomfort you feel by clutter and chaos. More than most, we know better than to measure people by their ability to handle time, possessions, or papers.

Put aside any worries about the need to justify your situation. The role of Positively Organized is to provide advice, not to make judgments.

 What is a typical organizing session like?

There is no "typical" organizing session. Each one has been uniquely different and challenging. One constant in assessing an organizing session will be your needs, desires, and capabilities. How fast can you make a decision? How flexible are you to suggestions? Are you committed to maintaining your new organized systems? Although there is no "typical" organizing session . . . they all do have one thing in common . . . They're all LOTS OF FUN!

 What can I expect from you?

Confidentiality.
Appointments at your convenience.
Mutual goal setting. You decide what area is most stressful or would provide the most satisfaction in creating order; we decide the end result together.

Personalized applications of organization principles. There are many ways to set up a filing system or utilize space. You may have tried different systems in the past that haven't provided satisfying results. We work together to find the best system for you.

Hands-on assistance throughout the organizing process. We will be as involved as you like, providing hands-on assistance from beginning to end or simply providing ideas, encouragement, and motivation as a consultant and resource.

We will meet with you just once or on an on-going basis.

We will assist you in donating objects you choose to let go. We find places to donate and recycle and can assist in arranging a pick up or dropping donations off for you.

Professionalism. We are all members of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

 What will you expect from me?

An open mind, uninterrupted time to work together, and the desire to maintain the system we help you set up. We can work out a plan for other areas of concern we feel confident you can accomplish without our assistance. Together we break down the balance of your projects into manageable increments of time.

 Will you make me get rid of all my "stuff"?

No. Were not interested in organizing everyone into an identical order. Before we begin, we will develop criteria for saving and letting go based on your goals for owning and maintaining belongings. As we work we will consider an item's usefulness, condition, sentimental value, and beauty. Your opinions matter most. It can be difficult to make these kinds of decisions alone or under pressure and that is often what blocks people from getting organized. We will help you clarify your choices, provide options about where to donate things you don't want, and remind you of your goals. This is not an inflexible process. It is designed to build your confidence about making these decisions alone. We are willing to take a hard line on letting items go IF that is what you ask of us.

 Will you organize my spouse's "stuff"?

No. A professional organizer must work one-on-one with a client to ascertain their needs and wants. It would be unproductive to attempt to organize anyone in absentia.

 How do you charge for your services?

An initial assessment is $50 and at that time, an estimate for the job can be given. Sessions can be half day (4 hours) or full day (8 hours).

Member, National Association of Professional Organizers