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11 Reasons People Don't Hire Professional Organizers When They Should

1)    Embarrassment People don’t hire professional organizers because they are embarrassed.  They don’t want someone to know how they really live.  Even a person who can fix the situation is often unwelcome.  It’s like the person who cleans the house beforehand when they hire a cleaning service.  They don’t want to share the true extent of their problem. It’s just too hard to admit that they are too busy to tackle it themselves, or they just don’t know where to start.

2)         Shame People feel ashamed.  They think: How did I let it get this bad?  It was just my shoes.  It was just a few papers.  Now there is stuff everywhere and I don’t even know where it came from.  What are my issues that I let this get so out of control?

3)         Helplessness People don’t like to feel helpless.  Serious hoarders who don’t want to be separated from their things don’t want to watch someone take away their belongings.  They think that organizers are going to sweep in with a big trash can and dump all of their things into it.  Well only when necessary.

4)         Fear People think that professional organizers make you throw everything away.  Professional organizers do not want to separate people from their things.  Believe it or not professional organizers help you keep your stuff; if you have space and a purpose for it.  A good rule of thumb to remember is if no one will keep it when you’re gone maybe you shouldn’t have it now. 

5)          Cost Oh my goodness!  People who really need an organizer should not worry about the cost.  That should be the furthest thing from their minds.  They need help.  What is the cost of peace of mind?  What is the cost of freedom to live your life comfortably?  Most professional organizers offer pro bono work for those who really need the help.

6)         Lack of awareness People have no clue that chronic disorganization is a serious problem.  Many people don’t realize it because they don’t know it has a name.  When you get an area straightened and then immediately you work it back into chaos you are a chronic disorganizer.  When a person sheds tons of clutter only to rebuy more unnecessary items they are a compulsive shopper.  Compulsive shoppers with a lack of space are at serious risk of hoarding.

7)         Self- Perception People allow their own perceptions about their self-worth, what they value, and what they fear to stop them from asking for help.  Who cares how long you’ve had the problem?  What matters is that you want to fix it now.  Get out of your own way.  Professional organizers don’t see obstacles in your clutter they see opportunities.

8)         The Unknown People don’t enjoy the unknown.  Even if what they know is clutter.  They would rather have chaos than order because it is what they know.

9)         Doubt People doubt that they can stay the course.  What if I pile things up again?  Will the organizer be mad at me for needing their services again?  No.  An organizer’s job is to help train you to live a better life.  The amount of time it takes is irrelevant.  If baby steps get you to a better life so be it.  Don’t let insecurity keep you in a life of chaos and disorder.

10)       Disbelief Professional organizers deal in production not perfection.  Being organized is about each item having a specific place and the correct amount of space to function.  It does not mean that things are always in their place.   It means that when it is time for things to be put away they have a place to be.

11)       Can Do Attitude Often people just don’t think they can.  With help or without help maintaining an organized life is work.  People have families, careers, friends, and communities to manage.  Managing all of this takes a great deal of effort.  An organizer can help to jump start the process.  Many times all it takes is a little push in the right direction for chaos and clutter to become creativity and a can do attitude.

Professional organizers exist to help make people’s lives easier.  They help clear clutter, they pack for large moves, they reset closets and pantries, they do it all and without judgment.  Contact one today if you have papers, clothes, pictures, or any other life issues that you need put in order.

Make an Appointment Today! We appreciate all business.

P.L.A.N. to Organize

In order to organize you need a P.L.A.N. of action.  Once these questions have been answered and necessary follow-up actions carried out the space should be transformed.

Purpose:

Does this item have a purpose in this space?  Can its use be defined?  If not then the item must be purged!  Prioritize the things you have left by level of use or importance.

Let go:

If the item does not serve a purpose let it go.  Be willing to toss it.  Get rid of the things you are not using or will never use.  Donate, sell, giveaway; enough said.

Arrange:

Arrange like items together.  You may find that they are occupying more than one space once you have them all together.  List whether on paper or in your head where each item either needs to be or is already housed.

Neat:

Neatly place all of your remaining items in their new space by importance or order of use.

My Purpose - Mompreneur

              For those of you who know me I have spent my entire life working, volunteering, and taking care of other people; often at the expense of myself.  This past year I have been a little in my feelings because for the first time in my life it is a choice that I make willingly, but is unending.  I am speaking of being a mother.  At this season in our life I rarely go anywhere or do anything without my Elise and it's awesome. I love my baby and she loves her mommy.  However, when I really need to or sometimes want to do something without her I cannot.  

                My business is professional organizing and lifestyle consulting.  Imagine how I feel on the days when I seem to need my own services and can't make time for myself.  But that's where the vision of my business came from five years ago.  I found myself always straightening things, fixing things, and putting everything just so.  I thought to myself I can make money doing this or at the very least I can have a greater love for what I do.  

                I have been a little depressed that I don't work as much as I used to outside of my house.  Now, being a professional organizer imagine how I felt when my well thought out super detailed plan for how my life was to progress after becoming a mother did not work out the way I expected.  Now I am a woman of faith.  I believe God's word and I know when I don't get what I feel is for me He has something better.  However, I am human and I just knew at some point my life would return to a revamped version of my former workaholic style; meaning I can still do the activities I did before motherhood only less. More often than not I find I don't get to do them at all because the plan changed.  Our childcare situation changed.  My clientele changed. And frankly if I could speak what I have learned this weekend my purpose changed.  Right now is not the time for me to serve on every board, committee, and team.  Right now is not the time for me to take care of everyone else and their needs.  Right now is not the time to make millions for good companies and not myself.  My purpose right now as one of my clients so eloquently put it is to be a “Mompreneur".  

                I am the type of person who is a very dedicated worker.  Not being conceited or full of myself, but often when I work somewhere people want me to do more.  Because when I'm at work my mind is at work.  I block out my pain, my fatigue, my needs, and focus on the tasks at hand.  In today's society that is missing.  People are working for money.  It is a means to an end, but outside of food, shelter, and basic clothing how much money do we want?  People are working at the expense of their entire life.  We work all week long to pay people we don't even know.  Right now is not the time for me to do that.  It is the time for me to put a larger priority that comes in a smaller package before everything.

                Right now my life is about more than running a successful business, it's about my baby.  I have certain days I can work, volunteer, etc., and I have days where I am just mommy.  I even have days where they overlap thanks to a great church home and certain other opportunities where I can take the baby with me.  This “Ladies Only” weekend has given me a greater appreciation for my Mompreneur role. Because there are many women who need an opportunity like mine.  I am at a stage in my life where I can grow my business and my baby in the way God wants.  I have the time to teach my baby how to love God, have manners, and value education and that's priceless to me.  So for anyone who has missed me or is looking for me I may not be coming and that is okay.  Certain days of the week I'm only mommy and if Elise can't go I can’t go; period.  I thank God for all the awesome women in my life especially mother, my aunties, Lorraine, Ms. Young, Ms. Jackie, Ms. Tonya, and Ms. Felicia, and Ms. Sharon.  All these women are great mothers who have helped me and encouraged me by being great examples more than they know.  

What is For You is For You

                So often I find myself in situations where people question why my path is not cut and dry.  They wonder why I have more than one iron in the fire.  They ask why not pursue this or that and the answer is simple.  I’m me.  I’m not them or anyone else.  The path I’m on is designed for me not anyone else.  Others don’t understand because it is not for them to understand.  I can’t live my life for the understanding of others.  I have to live my life for the approval of the King and that’s it.  He knows my name.  He understands me, my needs, my wants, my plans.  However he sees fit to get me there it’s my job to make myself available.  I can’t chase other people and what they want to do and neither should you.  Find what works for you and do that. 

                Don’t make major life decisions on a basis that worked for someone else.  Do what He calls you to do.  When you try to answer someone else’s calling the phone will hang up.  It’s not yours to answer, so check your ringer and wait for your own phone to ring.  Better yet you make a call!  Opportunity can often fall into one’s lap, but the thing is the person has to be ready to accept it.  If you’re so busy chasing someone else’s dreams your blessing will sail right past you.  Be aware.  Don’t let life pass you by because the route changed.  So what if you have detours, so what if you need do overs.  The point is you have a chance.  Take it.  Be yourself.  Be original.  Be great. 

                Many people run around screaming empowerment and don’t even realize they have given their power way.  Mentors are supposed to guide you so that you can better avoid the pitfalls.  They show you the best ways that worked in their situations, but you still have to tailor any advice to your unique path.  You can’t just say I want what they have because that leads to destruction based on a false sense of reality.  Some of the most revered people are broken inside and some of the most unrecognized could not be happier. 

                If nothing else use Jesus as an example.  He was sinless and came to save a people who called him a liar and a blasphemer.  Did He run?  No.  He laid His life down.  He was not concerned with what those who did not believe called Him.  He had a job to do.  He did not let anything or anyone stop Him from completing the job that only He could do.  Only you know what that is for you.  Don’t be afraid to gracefully tell people no thank you when an opportunity is not for you.  What God has for you is for you.  He will tell you when something is not.  Usually you have to think about it too hard when it’s not.  When something is for you the excitement can barely be contained.  4/25/2014

Actively Participate

Have you ever felt you were on the outside of your own life?  Like everyone else is participating in your story, and that you are watching from the big screen in the corner?  If you have then I challenge you to actively participate in your own life.  Don’t say who you want to be without making that person a reality.  Be that person!  Don’t say what you want to do.  Do it!  I think many of us get discouraged when we don’t have instant gratification of our goals and accomplishments.  We have to accept that the journey is more important than the destination.  The journey makes you wiser, stronger, better.  Once you reach the destination you’re only there for a few seconds before you decide to move on from there.  Make sure your path in life is teaching you something about who you are becoming.  If you can’t look back a few years and see where your life has changed you’re not living.  Maybe your life is better, maybe it’s worse, but it’s yours!  The key is to realize it.  Spare change only becomes a dollar when you allow it to accumulate.  You have to take all of your dreams, goals, passions, and aspirations, and put them together to create your story.  What are you proud of yourself for; or not?  Whose life have you affected; or not?  What motivates you?  What are you going to do to work on these things?  Warm and dry must be the norm, not the aspiration!  We must get beyond that to achieve greatness.  You can’t spend your life chasing bills and judging yourself and others for things that seem to have gone wrong.  Sometimes things have to go wrong to force you into the right direction for your life.  I pray that whatever you r path is you get on it.  It may be a rocky, dirty, muddy uphill climb, but it’s your path.  Walk it with God, because with God anything is easy because it’s already done.  Be Blessed!

National Day of Prayer

So as exhausted as I am, I am pressing through my wilderness because I know God is on the other side with my blessings.  For all of you going through things that you don’t understand trust God because He will get you through anything.  It is up to us not to waiver and He will handle the rest.  Today is National Day of Prayer.  Take time out at noon wherever you are and pray.  Be Blessed. 

Question Yourself. Then Challenge The Answers.

Answer this question:

How do you end up in a situation that you vowed you would never be in despite yourself?

Here are some answers:

• Trying to be everything to everybody


• Not being honest with yourself or others


• Not listening to people who could help you


• Taking yourself away from a good opportunity


• Letting life happen to you instead of taking charge of your life


• Many times it's just God

Life is challenging. The problem that many of us have is that we want our lives to go the way we plan them. We have to realize that we are not in charge, God is. You can make all of the plans you want, but if they are destroyed they were not meant to be. God will never give you anything that you don't need. If there is something, someone, or some issue in your life that you feel is a hindrance challenge yourself to see what God is training you for. Every obstacle is your training. "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ". II Timothy 2:3 It is when you overcome the challenges in your life and begin to help others overcome their challenges that you grow. Here's a tip: after every challenge is a victory and after every victory is a new challenge. Keep rising to the challenges and you will grow everyday. Be blessed!

Clean Up the Clutter

The cleanliness of your personal space is vital to your peace and your peace of mind. Keep it clutter free. Clutter does not only refer to a physical mess, but also mental, spiritual, and emotional baggage. Do not allow yourself to be buried under a pile of things that are no longer useful to you or that you no longer need in your life. If these things are spiritual take them to God and seek out people of God to help you. If these things are mental seek out therapy or read a little and educate yourself. If these things are emotional find a friend and gain a different perspective. If these things are physical within your home or office space sign up for a consultation with a professional consultant. Be Blessed.

Keep Everything in Perspective

Just when you feel down and out, God will send you an angel in disguise. This angel will remind you of the greatness of the Lord you serve. Always remember that salvation comes by grace and your good works are proof of that. For good works alone could never achieve what you obtain through favor. For God’s grace is a privilege we could never earn. Do not let anyone discourage you if you are doing what you can to grow in this life. Read I Peter 2 it really blessed me this week, especially verse 15.

Joy

Today is a new day. Make it the best that you possibly can and enjoy it. If you find today difficult just appreciate that you are here, and be joyful that tomorrow the day will be new again.

Go For It

Is there something that you have always wanted to do? Is there a desire within you to achieve more? Then you should go for it. No one ever realized a dream come true by staying asleep. Wake up. Ask yourself what it is that you want out of your life, and then go get it. If you feel like you don't know how to get started ask someone who does. There is always someone who can help you. Your dream and the next person's may have nothing to do with each other except that person has already tried. Since you have not the other person's story gives you insight. People who have gone before you have great value in that they can let you know where the bumps in the road are. They can tell you how thick the bumps are and how to get around them. The key to success is trying. You can't succeed until you try. You can't be concerned with failure. The only failure is not giving yourself an opportunity to learn a new lesson by trying.

Act Before You Must React

Stress is not something to get used to. It is a response that your body has to things that could slowly kill you. Fight or flight is the term used to define the situation. Either you make the circumstances better or you run away. Life is a race. You must decide your pace. Do not let insignificant things throw you off track. Are you fighting or are you flighting?

What is your in/effective way of handling short-term pain?

Silence works for a short time because it gives me an opportunity to clear my head and assess the entire situation. Solutions usually come by doing, whether that is conversation, prayer, or helping another. The key is movement, because movement brings about blood flow which maintains life.

Always Remember To Move

Recently one of the Real Housewives of Atlanta said "every saint has a past and every sinner has a future". This quote rocked me to my core because often we tend to forget this concept. We spend so much time remembering the sins that kept us from God that we can't do the work he calls us to right now. What good is a Christian who only embraces other Christians? We can't build a mighty kingdom without the best bricks. Some times the hardest bricks are those that went through a more strenuous process. A person who has experienced the life choices that he or she warns against or encourages others to lead is more effective. Most people try new food once a friend has told them how good it is. By the same token if a friend says a certain food tastes nasty we are hesitant to try it. Life is not a time to be hesitant. We must use all the strength that we have to build God's kingdom now. We don't want our lack of movement to be our ticket to remaining outside of the gate. When you're hungry that's the time to feed someone. When you're lonely that's the time you spend with someone else who is lonely. When you're low on funds that's when you sow a financial seed into someone else. When you feel like giving up that's when you press on. When your dream is deferred that's when you help someone else realize a dream. God is capable of more than we could ever ask or think. Many times our opportunity is around the next corner, but we're too tired or lazy to walk. We want everything placed square in front of us and we don't want to do the heavy lifting. Faith without works is dead. The sad thing is that we don't even realize when we short change ourselves. We're waiting for God and He's there like "your turn". We think that life should be without strain, pain, or obstacles. The truth is without pain most people would die. Pain is the signal that your brain gives your body to alert you that something is wrong. Without it you would have no idea what you or a medical professional could do to save your life. Obstacles make you stronger. You don't know how strong or weak you are until you are faced with a challenge. Some challenges are to build your character, test your faith, and make you a better Christian. How is God supposed to use you if you're always scared? You can't run from life. Fear is a lie told by the enemy to destroy your self-confidence and your relationship with God. It's up to you whether to call the enemy out or not. It's up to you to walk right past him to the promises God has in store for you.

Live and Make Progress

Heart disease, cancer, and stroke are among the top reasons why women die prematurely in this country. I should know; I have lost all of my grandmothers to these diseases along with countless other relatives. This topic seems taboo at the dinner table or maybe even among friends. I didn't realize how much so until it hit me smack dab in the face. I have my own personal struggles with one of these illnesses. I am fearful that the top dog of the three may take down my mother. For those who are paying attention healthy living is not only vital physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually also. I never realized until in recent years how certain things have affected my life. Right now I look into a future wondering what my life will be like without one grandmother. I have proof of what my childhood was like without the other. I don't want my children to feel the pain I feel knowing that maybe a conversation that they initiated could have helped to spare some one's life. One conversation can spare many lives, because life is about interaction not isolation. What affects my family affects me and vice verse whether I want to believe it or not. I have spent so much of my life being some fantasy super woman. The one with the perfect grades, the perfect manners, perfect look, even perfect looking future. Well at the end of the day that has only caused me to question every step that I have ever taken in life. At the end of the day what type of impact have I made on the world or what impact can I make? I don't want to feel lonely in a room full of people, yet too uncomfortable to make my presence felt. I want my life to mean something. If I can make God proud of me that's my goal. If I can strengthen his kingdom then I'm making progress.

How To Solve A Problem

1) List the circumstances of the problem.
2) Examine the desired or true resolution to the problem.
3) Determine the steps necessary to reach the solution.
4) Create a plan of action to accomplish the steps necessary to solve your problem.
5) Create a timeline for the completion of the steps necessary to solve your problem with the resolution in mind.
6) Execute the plan.
7) Stay on target or reevaluate where necessary.
8) Don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask an experienced consultant or a trusted friend for help.