Tag Archive for: certified professional organizer Ellen Delap

Frequently Asked Questions about Me and Professional-Organizer.com

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frequently asked questions

 

Want to learn a little more about me and my business?  I love to share details about my story.

 

As a former kindergarten teacher, being organized was my superpower. “Teaching” people how to organize with simple strategies could make life easier, less stressful, and more productive so they could do what they love most. In 2000, I read an article in the Houston Chronicle about professional organizing and our national association, the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). That’s how my business started! In my work with clients, we streamline their time and space and create effective routines for an organized and productive lifestyle.

 

Giving back to our community is an important way to use my skills. Serving as a volunteer with local philanthropies helps others in our community.  Kingwood Women’s Club, Mothers Against Cancer, FamilyTime Purple Ribbon Luncheon and the Attention Deficit Disorder Association Southern Region are where I have served locally. I am a past president of our national association NAPO.

 

What do you love best to organize?

 

My business, Professional-Organizer.com is a productivity and organizing practice. As a Certified Professional Organizer, my work varies with each of my clients. Work can range from home organizing a closet or pantry, to office organizing clearing off a desk, to creating routines for a productive day at work.

 

In owning a business over 20 years, I am most proud of the connection I have with my clients. It’s rewarding to know I can help someone make a difference in their life each day. My non-judgmental, positive, calm approach helps my clients get started and make changes. What sets me apart is my mantra, “keep it simple sweetie!”

 

What is a day like as a professional organizer?

 

As a productivity and organizing professional, it’s natural for me to create structure and routines for my work and life. I know that consistency and communication are personal and professional strengths. My morning starts with a walk around our neighborhood, then on to work with my clients. I connect with clients by email, text and phone throughout the day in time blocks. The end of my day wraps up with time with my husband watching a Hallmark movie. For me it is all about meaningful work and spending time with people we love.

Is your home perfect?

There is a place for everything and everything in its place. It’s not perfect but it’s perfect for me!

 

 

Working with a Professional Organizer: Same Day. Same Intentions. Difference results.

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working with a professional organizer

 

Because of COVID-19 we have lately had more time to declutter and organize our closets. We have the best intentions, however it is hard to get started and still harder to let go of items.  We may have the skills to declutter and organize like professional organizers.  What we are learning is that it was not necessarily a matter of how much time we have.  It is a matter of procrastination. It’s easy to put off getting started and getting organized.  Here is a tale of the same day with the same intentions with different outcomes. Names were changed to keep client confidentiality.

 

Working without the support of a Professional Organizer

Sandy knew that it was time to let go of professional attire and suits.  For weeks she had told friends she intended to organize her closet.  Finally, she set a date on her calendar to work in her closet. At 9 am she walked with a friend. At 10 am she called another friend. Continuing on with the day, she continued to procrastinate. Before she started, she offered to drive her cousin to work, offered to practice driving with her daughter, and ordered lunch. She texted to find out when the nail salon would be open.  Finally at 2 pm she started editing.

Decluttering was harder than Sandy thought.  It was much harder and taking more time. There were many items that did not fit so these were easier to declutter and donate.  Sandy would pull out an item only to put it back. After two hours, Sandy took a break to assess. She had 3 bags to donate. She was not making the progress she wanted to make and felt discouraged.

 

Working with the support of a Professional Organizer

My client and I set a date and determined we would meet for a 3 hour session to organize closets. After discussing the goals and taking a tour of the closets, we decided that best place to start would be a place where clothes have been stored rather than edited.  The client admitted that it was easier to move the clothes to another closet than eliminate.  We started working in auxiliary closets that are in spaces for less frequently worn clothes.  We pulled each item out to review whether it was in good condition and still fashionable.  We started to declutter and after 2 hours had over 250 items to donate to local charities.

This strong start to decluttering led to organizing the remaining items. We grouped the clothes by short sleeve, long sleeve, sweater and suits.  Then, we placed the items accordingly in 2 closets.  Donation places will be open soon so I took the clothes with me to drop off at local philanthropies.  The entire process took 3 hours to start, finish and exceed the client’s goals.

 

What’s the result

When we invest time and energy in decluttering and organizing, we want big results. Working with a professional organizer helps you accomplish your goals efficiently and productively.

  • Having a professional organizer with you, it’s easier to let go of more items.  The gentle pressure of another person guiding you helps you make decisions.
  • A professional organizer helps you get started and finish up.  There’s no procrastinating with a professional organizer working along side you. Because items leave at the end of the session, there is no regret or back sliding.
  • Bonus of organizing! We found some treasured keepsakes too! In one closet was a cherished cub scout uniform to pass along after taking photos.

 

Regardless of motivation and intentions, working alongside a professional organizer has multiple perks.  We are here to help and support you throughout the decluttering and organizing process! Accomplish your goals and get the results you want when you work together.