Professional organizing

John Thomas Haines in Ivanhoe tinsel print VA

Professional organizing is a service that involves helping individuals and businesses design systems and processes using organizing principles and transferring skills. Professional organizers aim to help clients reduce clutter, enhance productivity, and improve their overall quality of life.

History

The profession of organizing has evolved over the years. It gained significant recognition in the 1980s and 1990s with the rise of consumerism and the increasing complexity of modern life. The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) was founded in 1985 to support the growing community of professional organizers.

Services

Professional organizers offer a wide range of services, including:

• Decluttering: Helping clients sort through their belongings to decide what to keep, donate, or discard.
• Space planning: Designing efficient layouts for homes and offices.
• Time management: Assisting clients in managing their schedules and tasks more effectively.
• Paper management: Organizing documents and creating filing systems.
• Digital organizing: Managing digital files and emails.
• Relocation services: Assisting with packing, moving, and setting up new spaces.

Techniques

Professional organizers use various techniques to help their clients, such as:

• The KonMari Method: A decluttering method developed by Marie Kondo that focuses on keeping items that "spark joy."
• The Four-Box Method: A technique where items are sorted into four categories: keep, donate, discard, and relocate.
• The 5S Methodology: A system originating from lean manufacturing that stands for Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

Benefits

The benefits of professional organizing include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Increased productivity and efficiency
• Improved mental clarity and focus
• Enhanced living and working environments
• Better time management

Professional Associations

Several professional associations support the field of professional organizing, including:

• National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
• Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)
• Professional Organizers in Canada (POC)

Certification

While certification is not mandatory, many professional organizers choose to become certified to demonstrate their expertise. The Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) designation is one such certification offered by the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers (BCPO).

See also

• Minimalism
• Hoarding disorder
• Interior design
• Productivity
• Time management