(This article courtesy of Allison Van Norman of Organizing Solutions. Click here to visit Allison's site)

If you're like most people, you're not very familiar with professional organizers and what they do. That's because the profession is very new - very few organizers were in business before 1980. Professional organizers, (sometimes called organizing consultants) provide a wide variety of services, including:

• Cleaning out closets, kitchens, storage areas, bedrooms, attics and garages, etc. In other words, basic decluttering
• Remodeling closets and storage
• Rearranging living space to be more pleasing and efficient
• Personal coaching, goal setting
• Planning, packing and unpacking for relocation
• Garage and estate sales
• Organizing children and teenagers
• Errands and personal shopping
• Computer organizing and training
• Setting up filing systems and developing paperflow systems
• Information management systems
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Filing
• Setting up recordkeeping systems
• Sorting through paper piles
• Paying bills
• Developing procedures manuals
• Preparing medical insurance forms
• Event planning
• Disaster preparedness
• Photo and memorabilia organization
• Time management training
• Seminars and public speaking
  

In addition, organizers work with:

• People in their homes
• Small businesses
• Large businesses
• Clients with attention deficit disorder
• People with chronic disorganization problems: "packrats"
• Individuals
• Groups

Obviously all organizers don't do all of these things! Most of us specialize in one or more areas. You should also be aware that most organizers do not do cleaning or clerical work. If either of these is your primary need, you'll be better off hiring a cleaning service or a secretary.

So how do you find and hire an organizer who provides the service you need?

You can find a directory of Professional Organizers from around the country and around thew world right here at Organize Your World.com!!! Follow this link to the Organize Your World Professional Organizer's Directory Listings.


If you don't find an Organizer in your area listed at Organize Your World.com, you might try looking in your local Yellow Pages and local newspapers. Many Organizer's ads will typically specify what type of services they offer. Look in the Yellow Pages under "Organizing Services: Household and Business". If you're not sure you can call anyway. Virtually every organizer will refer you to an appropriate colleague if he or she doesn't provide the service you need.

You should probably hire an Organizer who is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (or NAPO). Members of NAPO adhere to strict standards of professional conduct and professionalism, and are apprised of the best and most current organization information available. NAPO cam also refer you to a list of members in your area.To learn more about NAPO, click here. Organize Your World.com is a proud member of NAPO.

Once you contact an organizer, he or she will do an initial consultation in person or over the phone to assess your needs and give you a time and money estimate for your project. Some organizers do this consultation for free, others charge. They will tell you up front. Depending upon project size, the organizer may provide you with a verbal or written plan for the project, and develop a schedule for project completion.

An organizing project requires participation from the professional organizer and from the client. The organizer will

• Provide solutions, suggestions, choices and methods
• Do the physical work
• Give you encouragement and support
• Tailor the solution to your needs, preferences and lifestyle
• Never be judgmental about disorganization or treat it as a moral issue

You as the client are needed to

• Make the time to participate in all steps of the organizing project
• Make decisions
• Be willing to make changes
• Be willing to do maintenance once the organizing project is complete

About the Author
This article courtesy of Allison Van Norman of Organizing Solutions. Click here to visit Allison's site.

Allison Van Norman is the owner of Organizing Solutions, a San Francisco bay area business providing organizing services for homes and home businesses. Allison helps people conquer their disorganization and simplify their lives. A "born organizer", Allison has a masters degree in business administration from Case Western Reserve University. She's delighted to be working in San Francisco after several years of working in cubicles in Cleveland. Allison is an active member of the San Francisco chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers.
You can contact Allison by calling (415) 864-6558, or by sending e-mail to avn@wco.com.

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