De-cluttering And Organizing - More Tips To Get Started
In a previous article, I discussed the first step to getting started with your de-cluttering and organizing project was to replace negative feelings with positive motivation. I suggested shifting your focus and visualizing your organizing goal to help you move forward. In this article, we will discuss additional tips that can help motivate you to take action to clear your clutter.
Find an organizing buddy.
Is there a friend, neighbor or family member who could give you a hand with your organizing project? The key is that their style should be a complement to your own style of organizing, otherwise, conflicts can result. Do you recall the classic television sit-com The Odd Couple, where two roommates were constantly at odds with each other over their living habits? Felix Unger was the ultimate born-organized cleaning fanatic and Oscar Madison was known for his sloppy, toss-it-and-see-where-it-lands attitude. When you are ready to ask for help with your own de-cluttering, it is best to work with someone who is neutral, non-judgmental, and can help facilitate, rather than aggravate, the process.
Call in the troops.
The use of Professional Organizers has increased, not only as a result of the reality TV shows about messy homes, but also due to the growing need for a non-judgmental professional who can jump right in and start tackling an organizing project. The National Association of Professional Organizers (www.napo.net) has a referral database of local organizers who have training, product knowledge and experience with a variety of different organizing situations and circumstances. Some NAPO members specialize in working with specific types of clients such as senior citizens, business owners, students, clients with physical or medical conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, etc. Some Professional Organizers work alone, some may manage a crew of workers.
As a Professional Organizer, the first comment that I often hear from a new client is: I am so embarrassed; this must be the worst job you have ever seen! A Professional Organizer is there to help, not to judge, and will look past the current clutter, to spend time getting to know the client and identify what their organizing goals are. NAPO members abide by ethical and professional guidelines to ensure the highest standards and comfort level for their clients and many Professional Organizers are insured and bonded for peace of mind. They may charge an hourly rate or a project rate, based on the assignment. Some offer free initial consultations and others may charge a flat rate for a full assessment and project plan.
Allow yourself time to see results.
The clutter in your life did not just appear overnight; it could be the result several years of collecting, or even span several decades or generations. Allow yourself the time to go through the process of de-cluttering and organizing, knowing that it is not going to all disappear overnight. It will be a daily process and the rewards will come when you begin to see progress and gain a sense of finally having control over your clutter, rather than your clutter having control over you.
In future articles, we will discuss how to create a daily habit of de-cluttering and organizing, a popular topic in my workshop sessions and classes. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance with your organizing project. I look forward to helping you Sort Things Out, one step at a time!
Eva Abreu is a Professional Organizer and owner of Sort Things Out in Piscataway, NJ. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, she works one-on-one with individuals as an organizing partner and coach, helping clients to become more organized. Ms. Abreu also hosts “Sort Things Out Talk Radio”, conducts corporate Lunch and Learn programs, teaches community education courses and workshops, and facilitates support groups to help clients get organized. She can be reached toll-free 1-877-708-0884 or visit http://www.Sort-Things-Out.com for more information.
Copyright © 2007 Eva Abreu. All rights reserved.
Tags: clutter, de-cluttering, Eva Abreu, organize, organizing, professional organizer
