What do Professional Organisers do?

If you're reading this, you are like looking for help from a Professional Organiser, or you're considering becoming one. In this article, I will cover the role of a professional organiser and how they can help you.

POs Do More Than Just Organise...

They help their clients regain calm from the chaos, improving the functionality and harmony of their homes and/or work-space through decluttering and organising services. For those selling and moving home, POs reduce the stress with home staging and packing services. There are even POs that take on the role of a Personal/Virtual Assistant to help their clients with everyday tasks such as, arranging appointments, managing errands, creating documents, carrying out research and so on.

Professional Organiser Roles

The Teacher - Teaching their clients how to implement the most appropriate systems & routines so they can manage their space effectively.

The Coach - Guiding their clients through a journey of discovering their 'why's' to help them gain an understanding around how they live in their own homes.

The Second Pair of Hands - Helping their clients with the physical aspects of decluttering, organising & staging to achieve results quicker.

The Accountability Partner - Keeping their clients motivated & on track to ensure they reach their goals.

POs normally work alongside their clients, however in some situations they may work alone, doing the work on behalf of their client following an in depth consultation and maintaining regular check ins.

Can a Professional Organiser Help You?

If you are daunted by the process of decluttering, organising or staging, struggling to get started or uncertain where to begin or how best to tackle what you have, a Professional Organiser can help you.

Reading articles and watching videos is one thing, but being motivated to apply what you have learnt into your own home is another. Taking that first step is always the most difficult.... Unfortunately, so is the second, third and fourth. When you hire a PO, you are hiring someone who will be with you at a certain time, which prevents you from procrastinating. Additionally, they will keep you accountable and motivate you to keep going. They will show you how to do the thing and share with you how to keep doing it when they are not there to help you.

"To avoid conflict with family and friends, hire a PO who can recognise the onset of frustration and exhaustion."

Working with a PO is often more efficient and effective than working on your own or enlisting the assistance of family and friends. In some cases, working with people close to you can actually make the process more difficult, lengthy and stressful. To avoid conflict with family and friends, hire a PO who can recognise the onset of frustration and exhaustion. Decluttering sessions are particularly hard and you will need someone who is respectful and understanding of the emotions that you will feel. Your PO is there to push you, but they will not overstep your boundaries.

Services & Specialisms

Decluttering	There is more to decluttering than simply getting rid of things. A PO guides & supports you through the physical & psychological aspects of decluttering, providing an unbiased & empathetic approach to help you achieve your goals.
Organising	No two people or houses are the same & there is no one size fits all organisation system. A PO will recommend the most effective organising system for you, your family & your home.
Staging & Moving	Moving home is one of the top five stressful life events. POs make it a little bit less so by preparing your home for market & assisting with the moving process; packing before you move, then unpacking & setting up your new home.
Downsizing	When downsizing, knowing what to keep & take to your new home can be difficult. If your circumstances call for you to downsize, a PO can assist with decluttering & can show you how to arrange your furniture and possessions to make the best use of a smaller space.
Swedish Death Cleaning	Through Swedish Death Cleaning, emphasis is put on considering what you are leaving behind for your loved ones. The passing of someone close to us is difficult & can be made more difficult when there are a lot of possessions to sort through. POs can help you determine what you need, declutter what you don't need & advise what to do with anything you think others may want.
Elderly/Disabled	If you struggle with physical tasks, a PO can do the heavy lifting for you. They can also create a home that is more accessible for you.
Families	Multiple people in a house means more possessions. If you have children, keeping the house tidy & organised can be time consuming. Your PO will set up systems for you & your family as well as reset your space, giving you more time for yourself, or to spend with your children & other half.
Hoarding	Hoarding is a condition that needs patience & understanding. A PO who specialises in hoarding can help you with the psychological difficulties as well as the physical objects.
ADHD	A common symptom of ADHD is inattention, which often presents as disorganisation. People with ADHD have a different way of doing things, so your PO will set up systems that are more likely to work for you & your way of thinking.
Small Businesses/ Remote Working	There is a lot to think about when you own a small business; admin, accounting, marketing, booking appointments & providing your service/product. Outsourcing some of these tasks to a Professional Organiser/PA allows you to focus on your service/product. If you work from home, a PO can help set up a productive space to keep you engaged in your work.
Commercial/Offices	Disorganised commercial spaces & offices cost businesses time & money. A PO can set up a system to organise your stock, supplies & paperwork that works for you & your team.
Personal/Virtual Assistant	Busy schedules, complex tasks, unbalanced work-life routines & not enough time in the day contribute to stress & negative emotions. Certain tasks can be outsourced to a PO who can help you stay on top of home, work, personal & family life.

Preparing to Work With a Professional Organiser

If you are thinking of hiring a Professional Organiser, be prepared to show them your house on a normal day no matter how bad it is, or how embarrassed you may feel about it. POs are professionals who are there to help you, not judge you.

When a PO visits your home or if they ask for photos in advance, avoid cleaning and tidying to give them a more accurate view of your space, your struggles and your situation. This will ensure you get the best tailored advice and help that will be most effective and long-lasting.

Discovery Calls, Consultations & Sessions

Many POs offer a free discovery call and when you decide to go ahead, will carry out a more in depth consultation. A PO may offer a virtual consultation, either requesting photos of your space or a video call so they can see your space before visiting. Alternatively, your PO may opt for an in-home/office consultation, which can include time set aside to start on the required service.

The consultation gives you an opportunity to discuss your goals, the areas that you struggle with and how you manage your home. This allows the PO to determine how best to help you with decluttering, organising, staging or other requested service.

Depending on the service you have opted for, a PO will work alongside you or carry out the work for you. Decluttering sessions usually require you to be present as only you know what is not used or needed. Organising and staging sessions can be done solely by the PO, but they will need some input from you as to what items are used regularly and where they are used.

Summary

Professional Organisers call upon several key skills including problem-solving, creativity, time management, organisation and empathy in order to provide tailored services to their clients. These tailored services allow them to best help their clients with declutttering, organising and staging, as well as with a variety of other tasks.

If you want to know how I could help you specifically, contact me to arrange a free Discovery Call.