Here are some nifty, inexpensive, easy-to-use organizing ideas:
1. Use wire to make a space to store gift-wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.
2. Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses (X) into a box lid.
3. A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.
How to Choose a Professional Organizer:
One of the first questions you should ask is whether the organizer is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and/or Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), which demonstrates a commitment to industry Code of Ethics and continuing education.
Your relationship with a professional organizer will be a very personal one. An experienced professional organizer will ask many questions about your work style, what you are looking for, and the issues you believe have thwarted your best attempts getting organized in the past. They want to get to know you, understand your objectives, and determine whether they will be a good fit for you. It is in your best interest to be as candid and clear as possible about what you want to achieve.
Qualities You Want to Look for in a Professional Organizer:
- Ability to ask the right questions to understand what a client wants and needs
- Ability to listen and infer what a client means
- Ability to customize organizational systems to meet client needs
- Ability to recommend a variety of suggestions, alternatives, and solution to create the system that will work best for you
- Ability to teach and transfer basic organizing skills
- Ability to visualize spatially and see the big picture
- Ability to break goals down into manageable steps
- Ability to categorize and plan ahead
- Compassion, Nonjudgmental, Encouraging and Supportive
- Responsibility
- Professionalism
Suggested Questions to Ask a Potential Professional Organizer to Determine Credentials:
- Do you have any training or hold any certifications in organizing or related areas (organizing schools/classes, chronic disorganization and ADHD training/classes, staging schools/classes, etc.)?
- Do you have a business license and business insurance and may I see proof?
- Do you work with a written contract/service agreement?
- Do you have "After" in addition "Before" pictures (not just "After")?
- How long have you been in the organizing business?
- What services do you provide? Do you organize a variety of areas?
- Can you describe your organizing process/approach (is it hands-on or just consulting/coaching) and describe a typical working session?
- Will I work directly with you or an assigned employee?
- Who is your typical/usual client?
- What is your fee structure?
- I have tried to get organized before. How will this be different?
Code of Ethics a Professional Organizer should abide by:
As a member of NAPO and ICD, I pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint, and conscience in my conduct in order to establish and maintain public confidence in the integrity of NAPO and ICD.
Code of Ethics - Client Working Relationships:
- I will offer services in those areas in which I am qualified and will accurately represent those qualifications in both verbal and written communications.
- When unable or unqualified to fulfill requests for services, I will make every effort to recommend the services of other qualified organizers and/or other qualified professionals.
- I will serve my clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
- I will advertise my services in an honest manner and will represent the organizing profession accurately.
Code of Ethics - Client Confidentiality:
- I will keep confidential all client information, both business and personal.
- I will keep client information confidential and not use it to benefit myself or my firm, or reveal this information to others.
- I will use proprietary client information only with the client's permission.
Call to schedule Complimentary Assessment Evaluation Visit
Teresa James
(901) 752-5522
(901) 568-5751
Teresa@OASYH.com