Getting Rid Of Clutter Doesn’t Make You Organized
By: IAPO
The International Association of Professional Organizers (IAPO) is looking – once and for all -- to end the misconception that professional organizers are glorified housekeepers.
"Too many people – even some beginning organizers – assume that once you've straightened up a home or office and thrown away the clutter that means the space is organized," said Elizabeth Losher, IAPO's Executive Director. Losher says there is a big difference between being neat and being organized. "Your space may look like a picture from House Beautiful magazine, but without systems to contain, find and retrieve items and information, you're not truly organized."
Even hidden clutter can still wreak havoc in your personal and work life. That's why Losher offers these additional tips to help you get organized for good:
Tips For Getting Organized For Good
Know your reasons: Why do you want to get organized? What will you do with the additional time you save? What goals are you looking to achieve? With a clear idea of what it is you want, you'll be better able to stay focused as you get organized.
Know how you use your space and items: The most effective systems for you will depend on your lifestyle. Any system you apply will provide little more than a bandage effect unless it fits the way you live and work.
Work your systems: Like anything worthwhile, getting used to being organized takes a personal investment from you. Invest the time to work your systems for at least one month to see how they work for you. Even the best system, if it does not work for you, will fail. Being organized means there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. Make sure everyone in your home or office is trained to know where everything goes.
Become willing to let go: Getting organized often means making lifestyle changes. What are you willing to let go of? The more you're willing to release in your life, the better organized you'll be. This goes for files, activities, even long-held beliefs about why you keep certain items.
Get outside help: Contact an organizing membership organization like IAPO for a referral to a qualified professional organizer in your area. IAPO is the first non-profit membership organization within the professional organizing industry to require standards of education and experience for its members.
Look for competence: Choose a professional organizer with the certification that indicates he or she is ethical and has met standards of professional organizing competency -- the Certified Professional Organizer™ (CPO™) certification. Be sure to ask: Are you certified?
Check the organizer's background: Contact IAPO (212-920-1440 or OrganizingTheWorld.org) to determine if an organizer is currently authorized to use the CPO™ certification marks or has ever been publicly disciplined by the CPO™ Certification Board.
IAPO is dedicated to setting and maintaining standards of excellence for professional organizers worldwide with professionalism, integrity and compassion. IAPO provides advanced education, professional development, certification, industry promotion and disaster relief organizing assistance. For more about IAPO, visit http://www.organizingtheworld.org.
Source: International Association of Professional Organizers, CPO™ Certification Board