So now you are all set to meet with me, or your newly acquired Professional Organizer, to get yourself all organized.
You’ve got the ground rules (see Part 1 of this series) but now what? Now we get together for our meeting so I can get to know you, and figure out the best way to help you achieve your organizing goals.
In that first session, besides getting to know you and your circumstances, I’ll ask you a bunch of questions along the lines of:
*What systems do you have that are working well for you?
*What systems do you have that are NOT working well for you?
*Where are your ‘trouble spots’? Those areas that continually cause issues for you.
*Tell me about your routines and how your day flows.
*Who else might impact your decision to ‘get organized’?
*Do you have any special needs I need to be aware of such as ADD, Learning Disability such as dyslexia, physical limitations, etc. If so, are you taking medication, seeing a therapist or using any sort of device or system designed to assist you?
I’ll also ask some specific questions such as these, depending on what we are working on:
*What sort of time management or calendar system to you currently use?
*Do you prefer to have things put away or out where you can see them?
*What items do you need to have frequent access to and which do you use rarely?
*What do you currently do with your papers?
*Are you able to keep up with your bills, appointments and commitments?
*How important is your computer to you and is it backed up and files easily accessed?
*Do you have a storage unit or another place where you keep your stuff?
*Do you have a preference for where we dispose of items we’ve determined can be let go? Any particular charity you like, consignment or similar?
The easier things are to find and do, the easier your life will be.
A few more thoughts when meeting with a Professional Organizer:
-If you have anything that you would be embarrassed for me to see . . . please put them in an inaccessible location. I’m not talking about paper clutter stuffed in a drawer, I’m talking about personal items that I really don’t need to see or touch if you get my drift.
-If there is anything dangerous in the home such as weapons, please be sure they are secured and out of sight.
-Please keep in mind that we (most of us anyway) are not psychologists, therapists or medical professionals. We are really good at what we do but are not a substitute. We are generally very good listeners, and consider that part of our job. But our goal is to help you achieve your goals so the listening and the doing must be balanced to get the job done.
Every client has unique needs, though there are similarities. The questions I will ask will depend on what we are trying to accomplish and will be focused on that. But the more I get to know you and how you think, the more efficient and effective I can be. So be honest, be open, and don’t forget to show me your hidden stash of clutter that I know you have buried away somewhere!
