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Sending you and your loved ones thoughts and love,

Maria Gracia

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A GON Reader Asks

Hi Maria,

How do I find a local person to help me with organizing? Also, what do you need to become a professional organizer?

This Reader Question was submitted by:

--Deborah Raho


Maria Gracia responds...

Deborah,

Thanks so much for your question. Professional organizers are located all over the United States, and in many areas abroad as well. Your best bet would be to contact the National Association of Professional Organizers (www.napo.net) and use their search feature to find an expert in your area.

You also asked what you need to become a professional organizer. I'm assuming you're asking about credentials. Many professional organizers are certified, meaning they've taken a course and passed the Board of Certification of Professional Organizers examination. While that certification is good for professional organizers to have, it is not a requirement and is not the sole criteria that should be used if you're wishing to hire a professional organizer.

I'd suggest, if there are enough professional organizers in your area, that you interview at least three of them. Ask for before and after photos. Ask for testimonials. Ask for referrals. Determine if they've been mentioned in your local newspaper. Be sure their personality meshes with yours and that whoever you hire can help with your organizing needs, within your budget.

One thing I do want to mention, and you may or may not know this, but you don't typically hire a professional organizer to come in and do the job for you...and if one is willing to do this job alone without you, I would not recommend you hire that person. An effective professional organizer works with you, side by side, doing your decluttering project, or consulting with you on time management, or whatever organizing challenge you're facing. This person may encourage you to get rid of clutter, but ultimately, the choice of whether or not to do so is your decision. This person may encourage you to prioritize, or follow better time management, or help you decide which computer files to keep and delete...but be prepared to be sitting with your professional organizer, side by side, throughout the process.

The time it takes to complete an organizing job can take from four hours, to four weeks of appointments, to working with you slowly over months or even a year, depending on the size of your project. Some will charge $35 an hour, others will charge $75 per hour, some will charge $150 per hour and yet others will charge 'by the project' like a flat fee of $300, $500, $1,000, or more...depending on the person's experience and what they feel their service value is.

If this sounds like something you may wish to pursue, go for it. Professional organizers can help you get a very fast start on whatever organizing project you have...and get the job-at-hand accomplished for you. After that, you can often pay a professional organizer to give you follow-up sessions or you can persue that continuation on your own.

Of course, organizing is a lifelong habit, so after the professional organizer is done and gone, it's very important for you to know basic organizing principles and for you to put those into practice, in order to maintain the service you paid for.

If this is not what you were thinking when you asked, remember that no matter what organizing challenges you're having, getting organized can be done by the majority of people on their very own, as long as they're physically able. You just need a can-do attitude, some basic organizing knowledge, and the willingness to apply and follow-through.

I hope I've provided you with some helpful information. But if you have other questions, just reply back.

Have a wonderful day,

--Maria

Just a very quick shout out to let you know that my latest issue of Anything and Everything is now available. It's the AUGUST 2020 issue and I know you're going to love it. Check it out:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

If you don't already receive it, it's a great time to get your hands on a full year of Anything and Everything because, when you do, we're giving away 10 Bonuses, AND ALL of the back issues...complimentary!

Here are the topics in the AUGUST Issue...

Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Anger
Why this is so important for a peaceful life

Making the Most of Your Farmers' Market Visit
A little bit of history and how to shop effectively

Avoiding Those End-of-Summer Blues
If you're feeling down about summer ending, here's how to perk back up

Inviting a Friend or Two Over
How to do so safely during the global pandemic

What's for Dinner? Breakfast!
Breakfast recipes that are great to eat any time of the day
--Croque Monsieur
--Savory French Toast

Not Making Enough Money?
Ways to earn extra money during the pandemic, or any crisis

Keep Ice from Melting in Your Cooler
12 ways to make it last longer

Speaking Our Mind, Does Not Mean Speaking Unkind
You can say almost anything in a kind, calm way

If you don't already subscribe to my 'Anything and Everything' resource, you can learn about how to do so here:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

We have thousands of readers who LOVE it...and I'm certain you will too!

Maria

P.S. BONUS SPECIAL...Only Until 11:59 p.m. on AUGUST 7TH: When you sign up for your Anything and Everything Subscription, you will receive tons of bonuses, plus ALL the BACK ISSUES COMPLIMENTARY!

Access EVERYTHING BELOW (and more!) on my Home Page. Visit:
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GON August Monthly Checklist Our August Organizing Checklist provides an organizing TO DO for every day of the month

GON Mini Organizing Challenges August Mini Challenges: Tasks, followed by rewards. Focus on WEEK ONE's challenges this week.

GON Web Poll Results The results are in! GON readers responded to let us know their main sources for news about what's happening in the world. Here are the results of that poll

GON NEW Web Poll What do you need more of in your life right now? More money, more time, or more love? Let us know by taking our current poll


Access EVERYTHING ABOVE (and more!) on my Home Page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

'Being organized isn't about getting rid of everything you own or trying to become a different person; it's about living the way you want to live, but better.' --Andrew Mellen

I'd love to hear from you.

Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

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-- Maria Gracia