Have you ever thought about working with professional organizer to get your home and life together, but hesitated because you are nervous about what it will be like? Here are 10 tips on what you should be able to expect. Use these tips to help you interview and choose the right professional organizer for you!

Each professional organizer has their own style, so use this only as a guide to help you interview potential professional organizers.

PARTNERING - Working with a professional organizer should be a partnership. A professional organizer doesnt just provide a set of hands to assist you in rearranging stuff. We provide expertise, recommendations, and ideas on new ways of doing things. In the end, it is your decision on which new systems and tools to put in place, but your commitment to listen to new ideas and try out new ways of doing things is what will allow you to achieve your goals and experience the rewards!

CHANGE SUPPORT Getting organized is not just about putting new supplies and systems in place it means changing from the inside out as well as from the outside in. As you go through your things, your professional organizer should be able to uncover beliefs and habits that are contributing to your current state of disorganization and help you replace them with more effective habits

COMMUNICATION IS CRITICAL - If at any time you feel that you are changing too much, too fast, or you are feeling extremely stressed, you should feel comfortable to stop and share your feelings with your professional organizer in order to make the process as painless as possible for you!

ITS AN ONGOING PROCESS Like losing weight, getting organized doesnt happen overnight. Some of the changes will happen on the outside, other changes have to happen within you over time. Getting and staying organized is an ongoing process that comes about by makes lots of little changes in the way you do things, in your habits, and most of all, in the way you think and feel about things. Your organizer should start with easier, smaller successes and work up to your more difficult challenges.

BE PATIENT & TOLERANT WITH YOURSELF No matter how well organized you become, there will be times when you may slip back into old habits. This is natural. The trick is to catch it, learn from it, and get back on track! That is all part of the process of becoming organized. Dont get caught up in the downward spiral of striving for perfection. Pick yourself up, remember your successes, and start again. The most important thing is to not give up and take it one day and one goal at a time.

MEMORIES, STORIES & GRIEVING - While going through your things, you may experience a wide range of triggered emotions. Often deep, sometimes painful, emotional memories are stirred up and need to be released as part of making the decision to let a thing go. Some people absolutely need to tell their stories as part of working through their feelings so they can let things go. Most professional organizers are willing to listen and help you get through your grieving process. Just be aware that this does add to the time it takes to complete a project, and thus will add to your costs. On the other hand, some people just like to talk and get distracted! If you want to save time and money so you can see results quickly, ask your professional organizer to help you stay focused and do your best to not talk too much!

GETTING ORGANIZED CAN BE MESSY AT TIMES! - Some larger organizing projects cant be completed in a day. Sometimes it may get worse before it gets better you may have boxes and bins of your stuff in your home for a while, but it WILL be worth it! Remember, sticking with it till the project is complete will ensure you get the maximum value for your investment!

LETTING GO OF YOUR STUFF - Your professional organizer should never dispose of an item without your permission. They should encourage you to part with items you no longer need or use, but not pressure you unduly to dispose of something you wish to keep. The final decision is yours.

HOMEWORK - Most professional organizers will give you the option to reduce costs by giving you a list of assignments to complete between sessions.

FOLLOW UP BETWEEN SESSIONS On large projects, most professional organizers will provide some complimentary support via email or phone. Be sure to ask your organizer about this.

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