Making An Educated Decision
-Janine Godwin, CPO®
You´ve made up your mind — you want to get organized and get a hold on the clutter in your life. Excellent! In order to make an educated decision on which Professional Organizer to hire, you need to do some research. But where do you begin? How do you go about finding an Organizer for your project? Being prepared with information is your first step towards finding the right help. Knowing exactly what to expect, and how to go about choosing the right Organizer for your needs, is what this section is all about — to educate you, and provide suggestions you should consider before contacting a Professional Organizer.
"True wisdom consists not in seeing what is immediately before our eyes, but in foreseeing what is to come." -Terence (BC 195 - 159) Roman dramatist
Preparing Yourself for the Organizing Process -
Thinking It Through
There are some key factors to consider prior to contacting a Professional Organizer, and the better prepared you are before you begin your search, the more successful you will be in locating the right professional who will work with you to become more organized. Here are some steps to help guide you in the right direction:
Think about your objective. What is it you are trying to accomplish? Are you seeking help to get a handle on the clutter and learn how to take charge of the situation, or are you thinking more on the lines of just wanting someone to organize your surroundings? There is a difference. If you are looking for an Organizer to come in and "just make it work", then you need to convey this. If on the other hand you are seeking guidance to making a change in your lifestyle, let us know. Professional Organizers are extremely effective if we are aware of what your goals are.
Make a list of all the areas or things that you do want organized, and be specific. For example: If you want your office organized, but really want certain problems to be addressed, then write them down. Likewise for any area or project you want organized. The more information you provide, the better understanding the Organizer will have of what it is you want to accomplish. This will also allow the Organizer to determine if they are the right fit for your particular project.
Be realistic on the time you can commit to your organizing project. Do you have the time to complete your goal? Depending on how complex the project is, this will determine the amount of time it will take to reach your goal or finished project. Anything can be organized with the right guidance, but is your timeframe for completion realistic? Will you be doing some of the work alongside the Organizer, doing it alone, or wanting the Organizer to do it for you? Any and all these options are available, so ask the Organizer how they work and set up their sessions.
What are your expectations? All Professional Organizers want to help you succeed, and you will, if and only if you are willing to work with them and commit to the process. Don´t expect an Organizer to do all the work, you need to be actively involved in the overall process. Have you ever heard someone say, "I joined a gym, and that was a waste of money. I didn´t see any results". What they may not be telling you is, they joined the gym and didn´t give it enough time to see the results as they really didn´t go long enough or at all. In working with a Professional Organizer, you will see results, but like anything you attempt, you get out of it what you put in to it. You need to know up front what your expectations are to truly benefit. Some Organizers may not be a good fit for you, but once you find the right one for your needs, the relationship you form will be successful. You need to be accountable for communicating what your expectations are so you can get the most out of your experience.
Consider your budget. Determine how much you can or willing to spend to have the project completed. This would include labor and materials/ additional services needed for completion to your satisfaction. Professional Organizing doesn´t have to be expensive, but depending on what your set budget is, it will also determine what type of service you can realistically afford. If you want a "magazine" look, you have to consider the materials, the labor, etc which financially can add up. Now, if you choose to do some or all of the work yourself with a custom outline prepared by a Professional Organizer, that can be very reasonable alternative versus working one-on-one at an hourly rate with an Organizer until your project is finished. Again, this is based on the size of your organizing project. Always prepare a budget beforehand so you know what you can expect for your investment. Organizers will charge according to their level of expertise and experience in the industry.
Organizing is a process. Are you ready for the whole process? The area in question didn´t get to its present state overnight, and correcting the problem won´t happen overnight either. There are various levels to organizing, and it will possibly take some time to obtain the results you are happy with. A Professional Organizer isn´t simply clearing the area in question, but they are looking for ideas to set up systems designed specifically for you and to assist you in coming up with a gameplan that will work for you in maintaining the area once it is complete. Some of the "road blocks" you have encountered may be in the re-thinking of habits, so it is a learning experience as well as an organizing experience. Are you willing to learn new ways to do things for your benefit? Remember, organizing isn´t about perfection, but rather what systems work best for you.
People involved. (Are there more people involved in your situation besides you?) You may be tired of the clutter in your surroundings, and have decided the answer is to hire a Professional Organizer. It could be. However, if there are others in your workplace or household who are completely comfortable with the surroundings that bother you, and they are not aware you are thinking about contacting a professional, this idea could possibly backfire. Before you contemplate hiring a Professional Organizer, ask other members (spouse, partner, colleague, family member) how they feel about it. Are they "on-board" for this as well? If they are, then you will have a higher success rate of the whole process succeeding. If there is resistance, you may not achieve the results you desired, and it would be a waste of your time and hard-earned money to try and change their point of view.
Emotional, Medical or Physical Needs. Another area to consider is if there are any emotional, medical or physical needs that need to be addressed. Have you been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or depression for example, and does this have a direct affect on your current situation? Are you Chronically Disorganized? Are you a hoarder? Then you need to possibly think on the lines of working with a Professional Organizer that specializes in these areas for the best results. Make certain the organizer you are considering is educated in working with these disorders. Some organizers may state they work with Hoarding, ADD/ADHD or Chronically Disorganized clients, but have no formal experience, knowledge, credentials or education in this specialty. If there are medical or physical challenges, you need to take this into consideration as well and let your Organizer know, so they are cognizant of your needs.
If you have any uncertainty about the sections presented above, you may not be 100% ready to tackle your project just yet. That´s okay. It´s better to think it through ahead of time by doing your homework, then to not be informed. This may help you realize what is involved, and also gives the Organizer a better feel for what your expectations are as well when you are ready.
All Systems Go -
Tips and Questions for Hiring A Professional Organizer
Credentials are important. There are many Professional Organizers to choose from, but do they have industry specific credentials such as BCPO® Certification or continuing education certificates that are related to and recognized in the organizing field? Or do their websites list every award earned or job/title ever held in their life, no matter how insignificant? College degrees, or unrelated random titles and awards that are not targeted at the organizing industry are basically filler made to look impressive, but aren't a guarantee of experience or knowledge as a Professional Organizer. Terms like 'organizing all my life', or ''life long passion to organize' does not equate to actual experience as a professional.
The difference? In short - Memberships in most organizations are bought, but credentials are earned through study, requirements and examination. Credentials are what sets a Certified Professional Organizer® apart from those who are not certified. Anyone can organize, but industry credentials are the key to a true organizing professional.
Choosing a Certified Professional Organizer® who is also a member of NAPO, assures you that you are hiring a leader in the organizing industry and believes in continuing education, abides by industry Code of Ethics, possesses the knowledge, experience and credentials to earn the designation of Certified Professional Organizer®.
Remember, you want to hire someone you can trust, and who can assist you in most, if not the entire project. Don´t just "settle" for the first person you speak with. Call and interview a few organizers to see which seem to be the best fit for you based on your criteria above.
If you are ready to start actively looking for a Professional Organizer, here are some basic questions to ask to see if a particular Organizer is the right one for your project. Bear in mind, chances are you will be working with someone for many weeks or months, so take your time and be selective on whom you do hire.
Some examples would be:
- Do they have a business license, dba or corporation filed with the county or State?
- Is the organizer Certified through the Board of Certifiication for Professional Organizers?
- What are their industry credentials?
- Are they insured?
- How long have they been in business? (Don´t fall for "I´ve been organizing my whole life")
- Do they specialize in the area(s) you want organized?
- Do they work in your area of town?
- Do they have a website?
- Do they charge a consultation fee?
- What are their fees for organizing, and is it by the hour, project, area or square footage?
- What is their payment policy?
- Do they have a written contract?
- What is their cancellation policy?
- Are they a member of any organizing industry groups or local area business groups?
►TIP - Be sure to verify their membership is current or in good standing. This information may be obtained by contacting the group or organization directly. Unfortunately for the consumer, there are organizers who claim to be a member of a particular organization or group, include their affiliation on their marketing materials, but no longer are members.
- What days of the week do they work? Are they available on weekend or after hours?
- What is their availability schedule for your project?
- Do they have a client confidentiality policy? (A must if they are a member of NAPO)
- Do you like their personality and feel comfortable speaking with them about your situation?
- Do they seem knowledgeable about your particular needs or project?
- Are they willing to refer you to another Professional Organizer if they cannot assist you?
Of course these are just a few examples of some of the questions you can ask, and you may have other concerns for your particular situation, so jot them down as well.