Questions and Anwers to Organizing
Q: What are the benefits of hiring a Professional Organizer?
A: A professional organizer helps guide, encourage and educate you throughout the organizing process. She motivates, coaches and instructs you about the basic principles of organizing by offering specific solutions designed for your individual needs. She saves you time and money, reduces your stress and helps you live the organized life you always imagined.
Q: How long is the organizing session going to take?
A: Each job is uniquely different and the total hours needed to get your space organized depend on the scope of the project and how quickly decisions can be made.
Q: Can disorganized people really change?
A: Just like athletic and artistic ability, being organized is a talent which some people have a natural affinity for and others have to learn. Over time, working with an expert, it is possible for disorganized people to learn and apply the principles of organizing to create different results.
Q: Will I have to throw things out?
A: Letting go of things is indeed part of the organizing process, however, it's more complicated than that. The goal is to teach the client how to determine which items have present and future value and which do not, as well as how to separate emotion from physical objects. I fully encourage recycling; if items are reusable they can find a new home with an organization that service the community. Look under Resources to find a list of donation sites available.
Q: How much is getting organized going to cost?
A: Think of this...how much is being disorganized costing you? It can cost you not only money, but also in time, energy, happiness, peace and productivity. The cost depends entirely on the scope of the project, which I assess during the free* consultation. While hiring a professional organizer may not be for everyone, I have helped people with a variety of budgets. Even if we only work for one session, you will find that being organized is an investment in yourself which pays huge dividends in saved time and decreased stress. Please call if you have any questions regarding your project, I will be happy to help you find out if my services are right for you, and if I don't have the best solution, I will help point you in the right direction.
Q: I am embarrassed to have you see my mess. Will my session be confidential?
A: You can rest assured that all clients' information will stay completely confidential, and that you will not be judged by your circumstances. I adhere to the NAPO code of ethics regarding confidentiality,
which reads: - "I will keep confidential all client information, both business and personal, including that which may be revealed by other organizers."
- "I will use proprietary client information only with the client's permission."
- "I will keep client information confidential and not use it to benefit myself or my firm, or reveal this information to others."
Q: Will you do the work for me, or just tell me what to do?
A: This is a personal decision depending on your needs and budget. Some clients want hands-on help with the process, sorting, categorizing, and setting up of systems. Other clients are self-motivated and just need some professional advice to create a game plan that they can implement on their own.
Q: I am concerned that a family member/friend may have a problem with hoarding. What should I do?
A: According to the Hartford Hospital compulsive hoarding may affect up to 2 million people in the US. It is a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to keep large amount of items even if they are useless, broken or unsanitary. To find out more about hoarding, OCHD and how to help someone with this disorder click Understanding Hoarding
Q: What is my next step and how do I get started?
A: Call or e-mail me and I will be happy to schedule a free* consultation to assess the project and get you on your way to a new clutter-free and organized life.
*A trip charge may be applicable if travel time is over 30 minutes.
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