How can a professional organizer or productivty consult ant help you?

Professional Organizers and Productivity Consultants help clients in many ways. Outcomes for clients often include: getting more done in less time; being able to retrieve items more easily; being surrounded by less clutter; wasting less money; experiencing less stress or shame; feeling in control of one's affairs; having more time and energy for the things that matter; and an overall improvement in one's quality of life.

If you're interested in hiring a professional organizer or productivity consultant, we welcome you to read about how to hire a professional organizer/productivity consultant and to search our member directory. What kind of services are you looking for?

Some professional organizers and productivity consultants offer a wide range of services, while others limit their practices to a specialized niche. For example, some organizers work with business rather than residential clients; some specialize in creating custom filing or closet systems; others may specialize in preparing for moves, organizing collections and memorabilia, or addressing challenges with time and task management. There are even professional organizers who specialize in working with clients who are chronically disorganized or have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD). The clearer you can be about your specific requirements, the easier it will be to select a professional whose expertise is a good match for your needs.

Where should you begin your search?

While you can use a search engine like Google to find professional organizers, NAPO Michigan's Member Directory is an incredibly efficient and effective way to locate an organizer suited to your needs. Using the search criteria in our directory, you'll be presented with a list of professional organizers in your area (listed by the counties they serve) and specialize in the type of service(s) you're looking for, as well as information about their businesses. Should you wish, you can contact any organizer via an email message sent directly through their directory profile.

Once you've narrowed your list to a handful of potential candidates, it's suggested that you visit each professional's website to learn more about the services they offer, and to review their client testimonials, rates and other information. Contact each professional on your short list by phone or email to ask specific questions to help you make the decision about who to hire.

What questions should you ask?

One of the first questions you should ask is whether the professional is a current member of NAPO or other industry associations for professional organizers/productivity consultants. While membership in an industry association such as NAPO does not guarantee the quality of the professional organizer's work, it demonstrates a commitment to continuing education and adherence to an industry code of ethics.

Download a list of suggested questions to ask when interviewing a professional organizer

If you prefer to interview professionals in person before making a decision, note that some offer free consultations, some charge for the consultation and credit that fee toward services if hired, and others charge totally separately for assessments and services.

What should you expect to pay?

As with most professions, fees vary widely based on experience, geographic location, and competition. Many professional organizers and productivity consultants charge by the hour, while others prefer value-based pricing and charge by the project. Some will give you options. Before you make a decision about who to hire, establish a budget for your project based on your discussions with the organizers you've talked to, and decide what feels most comfortable to you.

How do you decide which professional is right for you?

Your relationship with a professional organizer or productivity consultant will be a very personal one. An experienced professional will ask a lot of questions about you, your work style, what you are looking for, and the issues you believe have thwarted your best attempts to get organized in the past. They want to get to know you, understand your objectives, and determine whether they will be a good fit for you. It is in your best interest to be as candid and clear as possible about your needs and what you want to achieve.

Avoid choosing a professional strictly by price. Instead, focus on finding an professional organizer or productivity consultant with a personality and skill set that matches your needs. That person is most likely to deliver the greatest value by achieving the results you desire in the shortest amount of time.

Also keep in mind that your choice of a professional is not irreversible. Professional organizers and productivity consultants should be nonjudgmental, encouraging, and supportive. They should be good listeners and recommend a variety of suggestions, alternatives, and solutions to create solutions that work best for you. If you begin working with a professional and decide along the way that you are not comfortable with his or her particular style, be sure to let them know how you feel. You are rarely under obligation to continue the relationship. More than likely, he or she will be happy to recommend a colleague.

Ultimately, the "right choice" will be the person who has the expertise, skill set, and personality that best suit you and your goals.

Special thanks to NAPO National for their permission to use the language on this page, which is borrowed from their website.