Comments on: Reader question: Should I hire a professional organizer?

By: Lisa Baldwin

Lisa Baldwin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:42:51 +0000

Readers ‘down under’ might like to check out the Australasian equivalent of NAPO and POC -http://www.aapo.org.au

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:41:04 +0000

I am an organized person, but faced an entire floor of the house (with library and storage) to repopulate after major remodeling. Hiring a professional organizer to help out with this was the best thing that I have ever done for my home. She worked with me for a solid week, and suggested changes in flow and storage that have greatly enriched our family life. She was worth every penny of her professional fees.

By: Jacki Hollywood Brown

Jacki Hollywood Brown — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:27:57 +0000

Professional Organizers in Canada, NAPO’s sister organization offers a referral system, advice on hiring an organizer and we have our Code of Ethics posted on our website!

By: Lorie Marrero

Lorie Marrero — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:00:27 +0000

Erin, this was an EXCELLENT post on how to choose an organizer. I would also add that looking at their websites says volumes about the company or person… testimonials, history, FAQs, etc. Thank you for referring people to NAPO.

- Lorie Marrero
http://www.livingorder.com
http://www.clutterdiet.com

By: bookieb

bookieb — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:36:56 +0000

I agree that sometimes you need a “outside help”, and in particular the detachment that comes with someone with no “personal” axes to grind, to get started.
There are though, two pitfalls I can see to hiring someone:

1. Living the “uncluttered life” is up to you – it’s your responsiblity too make it work. By offloading the task to someone else, if the clean up doesn’t happen, or if you revert back to clutter, it’s down to the organiser you hired, not you. Take responsibility, make it your own, see it through.

2. For almost every challange we come across in life, there is someone who will sell you somthing else to “fix” it.
Overweight? Buy these pills!
Unhappy? Buy this car!
Broke? Buy money!(credit)
As we try to lead an unluttered life, we realise that the answer to these challanges is not always to buy somthing else to make it better. So how does:
My life is too cluttered?” “Buy me! I’ll fix it for you!”.
…come from.
How many people have started on a path, say GTD, bought the book, the audio tapes, the organiser, the software, in-trays, the pen and moleskiene etc., but never really done much more than that?

Start small – one drawer, one kitchen press, whatever. Work from there, slowly and steadily, and build the habits. IMHO, that’s more likely to stick than hoping that a big clean up and a few folow-up support sessions or phone calls with a professional will change your life and the habits of a lifetime.

Just my .02cents!

bookieb

By: Beth Dargis

Beth Dargis — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:32:38 +0000

You can also check out a local Family Manager Coach: http://www.familymanager.com and click on Makeover. (In interest of disclosure I am one of the coaches)

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:25:40 +0000

I take a fence at that. I would never cast a dispersal.

By: missdona

missdona — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:21:30 +0000

sorry- that should read someone else, not some else

By: missdona

missdona — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:20:57 +0000

I hire one from time to time to organize cluttery zones (pantry, cabinets) and help my husband part with his stuff.

It’s a lot easier on our relationship when some else pressures him to get rid of his ratty t-shirts other than me.

I consider it a household expense, just like paying a plumber to fix your pipes.

@ Joel
You can spend your money on whatever you like, please don’t cast dispersions.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:54:45 +0000

I imagine it’s like hiring a personal t
trainer or landscaper. Sure you can do these things yourself, but maybe you need some outside help and motivation to change. Money is just energy.

By: salil Tavkar

salil Tavkar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:54:14 +0000

i agree with erin, many people i have known are dead and on EVERY occasion i have found that a professional busybody has helped me piece my life back together.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:41:59 +0000

Okay!

By: Erin at Unclutterer

Erin at Unclutterer — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:54:18 +0000

@Joel–

I don’t agree with your statement that professional organizers are scam artists. When you want to find better systems for organization in your home or office, are overwhelmed when a loved one unexpectedly dies, or physical disability changes the way you access your home and possessions then a professional organizer can be an amazing resource. Consider yourself lucky that you are not in the position of having to rely on others to help with your uncluttering efforts.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:43:23 +0000

You have to have too much money to hire some scam artist to clean it up for you, though.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:41:56 +0000

You don’t have to have too much money to have too much clutter. I lived with broke and clutter for 20 years.

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:37:09 +0000

File this under ‘how do I know if I have too much money?’