frequently asked questions
About Getting and Staying Organized
Q: What will a professional organizer
do that a housecleaning service won't?
Q: Isn't being organized just a matter
of common sense? What will a professional organizer do that I can't do
myself?
Q: I have a lot of things that mean a
great deal to me. If I get myself organized, do I have to get rid of them?
Q: Why can't you just give me a sheet
with guidelines and tips for being organized?
Q: My messy office doesn't really bother
me. But it makes everyone else crazy. Should I change?
Q: My spouse is the one who's disorganized.
Can I set up an appointment for you to meet with my spouse?
Q: Every time I think I've gotten myself
organized, it works for a couple of weeks and then falls apart. What's
wrong with me?
Q: How do you change your approach when
working with seniors?
Q: How do I know if I'm "chronically
disorganized"?
Q: How do I know if I have ADD or ADHD?
About Things in Place Policies and Practices
Q: How will you ensure my privacy?
Q: What geographical area do you serve?
Q: Do you work with clients over the
phone?
Q: How do you charge for your services?
Q: Do you accept credit cards?
Q: How many hours will it take before
I see some results?
Q: So you don't just give advice and
go home?
Q: What will a professional organizer do that a housecleaning
service won't?
If you simply want a messy house cleaned up, then by all means hire a
housecleaning service. But understand that being tidy is not the same
as being organized. Nor is being messy the same as being disorganized.
Here's a secret: I like to "work messy". When I'm in the middle
of a project, I've got stuff all over the place. But when I'm done, the
stuff goes back where I can put my hands on it the moment I need it again.
Q: Isn't being organized just a matter of common
sense? What will a professional organizer do that I can't do myself?
Organizing is a mix of logic, common sense and creativity. All of which
tend to disappear when we're stressed and overwhelmed. The right professional
organizer will use objective eyes and ears-as well as a creative mind-to
help you step back, regain clarity, and view a situation in new ways.
Q: I have a lot of things that mean a great deal
to me. If I get myself organized, do I have to get rid of them?
"Organized" does not mean "sparse". It does mean
surrounding yourself with things you love. I would never ask you to give
away anything that means a great deal to you.
Q: Why can't you just give me a sheet with guidelines
and tips for being organized?
Because there is no one right set of rules for being organized. Physical
and emotional needs vary, as do work habits and routines. Successful organizing
requires breaking molds and creating new ones-not trying to force-fit
someone into a pre-existing mold.
Q: My messy office doesn't really bother me.
But it makes everyone else crazy. Should I change?
Being organized is not about how it looks. It's about how it feels. Besides,
you're not likely to stick to changes if you make them simply to please
others.
Q: My spouse is the one who's disorganized. Can
I set up an appointment for you to meet with my spouse?
I can only meet with someone who has made their own decision to work
with a professional organizer. And I prefer if they call me themselves.
Spouses can help by providing emotional support. They can also do some
of the legwork in helping to search for an organizer, if their spouse
agrees. But I will take input only from the person I'm working with. Not
relatives, a boss, office mates, or other bystanders.
Q: Every time I think I've gotten myself organized,
it works for a couple of weeks and then falls apart. What's wrong with
me?
What's "wrong" are the approaches you try to adopt. Realistic
strategies, in synch with your style and your needs, will work better
over the long term.
Q: How do you change your approach when working
with seniors?
I love working with seniors. Maybe because I've spent so much time with
my own grandmother, I respect the wisdom and beauty our elders bring to
our lives. As much as anyone else, seniors need to feel good about their
surroundings. Sometimes it's just a little thing, like honoring someone's
need to hold on to an item because of the memory associated with it.
I make it a point to be sensitive when suggesting changes that take into
account the physical aspects of aging, like diminished eyesight, memory,
and mobility. I treat your elders as I would want someone to treat my
mom: with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Q: How do I know if I'm "chronically disorganized"?
The chronically disorganized have a history of constant and persistent
disorganization. The condition affects their quality of life and resists
all self-help attempts. For more information, visit the National Study
Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).
Q: How do I know if I have ADD or ADHD?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is the clinical term
for ADD. It needs to be diagnosed by a qualified therapist or psychologist.
ADHD behaviors are excessive, persistent, and handicapping. They include
distractibility, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. For more information,
visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA).
Q: How will you ensure my privacy?
My practice is all about trust: gaining, building, and maintaining it.
Confidentiality and discretion are paramount. I do not advertise my services
on my vehicle. Any voicemail message I leave-if I must leave one-will
be discreet. And I strictly follow the code of ethics endorsed by the
National Association of Professional Organizers.
Q: What geographical area do you serve?
I generally work with people in greater Boston and metro-west suburbs.
For clients outside this area, additional travel charges may apply.
Q: Do you work with clients over the phone?
It's crucial for me to see first-hand the work or living space of my
clients. So I will always arrange to visit you. Follow-up, however, is
either in person or by phone.
Q: How do you charge for your services?
I charge a very competitive hourly rate. Most people are pleasantly surprised
at how reasonable my fees are. I feel strongly, however, that the choice
of a professional organizer should not be made on the basis of price,
but on the results you can expect.
My work typically pays for itself in the results — often on the
first visit. Clients have found cash or uncashed checks, improved their
inventory control to reduce excessive spending, and eliminated penalties
for late payments and missed appointments. Entrepreneurs have also improved
their efficiency and productivity.
Q: Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Q: How many hours will it take before I see
some results?
My clients will tell you: I don't waste time. After we talk, we'll get
to work. I'm very good at sizing up a situation quickly, rolling up my
sleeves, and getting started.
Q: So you don't just give advice and go home?
That's right. I'm a hands-on organizer. I'll sit on the floor with you,
sorting through the stacks, helping you make decisions, and giving moral
support. Not all professional organizers will do this.
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