biography of standolyn robertson
The Calling, Before It Had a Name
 Ask
a teacher what she was doing at the age of nine and she'll probably
say, "Playing school." What was I doing at that age? Playing
efficiency expert. I'd sit on my bed, streamlining the steps to whatever
activity I was working on. Or I'd sit there visualizing how to make
the space in my room more efficient. It didn't take long for my mom
to figure out who to go to when something needed organizing.
The artist in me started to blossom, opening up new opportunities
to organize. At 12, for example, I re-organized the family utility
room to create a studio in the corner where I could paint. When people
started asking me what I wanted to be, expecting me to say "artist"
or "art teacher", I said I wanted to organize people. This
was well before anyone had heard of a "professional organizer".
So people scratched their heads and asked, "You mean a secretary?
A housekeeper? A wife?" I kept shaking my head. Eventually they'd
shrug their shoulders and leave it at that.
Artistic Training
I enrolled at the University of Massachusetts. When it came time
to choose a major I was stumped: how do you major in organizing? I
chose art and education instead-actually the perfect choice. This
training laid the foundation for later study in interior design. Plus,
it developed my understanding of how artists think and work, which
equips me to help creative professionals get organized. Today my training
helps me view problems - and their solutions-from different angles.
Time Management and Peanut Butter
 Six
years after graduation, I was the owner and manager of an Orlando,
Florida, gift shop. I was also married and the mother of two boys:
a two-year-old and a newborn. It was during this period that I honed
my time management skills and learned to value "whatever works
for you."
My two-year-old, for example, was seriously into peanut butter and
jelly sandwiches. So I'd make a whole loaf of PBJ sandwiches and stick
them into the freezer. Did they come out a little soggy? Yes. Did
my young culinary critic mind? Not a bit. His only goal — which
became my goal — was to have PBJs on hand when the need struck.
Whatever works.
Learning the Words and Hearing the Call
 In
1995 I read a New York Times article about a professional organizer.
For the first time I was able to assign a title to my career aspirations.
Finally I could identify with a real person with a name and a face.
I learned that the profession even had its own organization: The National
Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). I found myself able
to articulate — in terms others would eventually understand
— what I wanted to do. After five years of volunteering my organizing
skills in the community for event planning, team building, and other
activities, I founded Things in Place.
 I
continue to enjoy artistic pursuits, like quilting, and in fact I
see a strong connection between quilting and organizing. I'm also
an avid participant in the sport of curling. Is there a connection
between curling and professional organizing? I think so. Click here
to learn more.
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