Organizing by Deputizing

Community Manager — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:50:00 GMT

Want to be organized? Not sure how to proceed? Consider outsourcing the job to a pro.

Professional organizers can help you deal with everything from papers to your kitchen cabinets to your time management challenges. They have the been-there-done-that expertise in every area of organizing that many of us lack.

How can a pro help?

Professional organizers offer a wide variety of services, ranging from general organizing for home and office to specialists who provide services in niche areas such as estate planning or home staging and moving services. This comprehensive article by ProfessionalOrganizersOnline.com lists the many areas where pros can be helpful

How to find a get-organized guru?

Start with the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). For 25 years, this industry group has served as a clearinghouse for information and experts working in the organizing industry. NAPO has a state-by-state database of professionals and offers information about criteria to consider when hiring a pro.

Once you've found a few good candidates, be sure to interview each just as you would any prospective hire. Does the pro have expertise in the particular area you need help? Check to see if they are licensed and insured and be sure to check references. Also, be clear about fees and expenses before getting started. For more questions to ask when hiring a professional, check out these two helpful resources:

Investing in organizing pays dividends

Hiring a professional to tackle your organizing might seem like a luxury but consider that the investment can actually free up time and money.

Do you restock your pantry with items you already own? Keep buying items for the home that you know are already there...somewhere? Is your home office running on slo-mo because invoicing and paperwork keeps piling up? Would you rather hit the beach than tackle the task of locating those beach chairs in your buried basement?

If you've answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to outsource your organizing.

Have you used a professional organizer? Was it helpful? Do you have any tips for maintaining organization after working with a pro? Share your thoughts here and on the Beyond Folders Community's Facebook and Twitter pages.

by Carly Fadako

Beyond Folders : organizing tips, professional organizers

Organizing by Deputizing