Blog

A Common Organizing Client Question: “Is This the Worst You’ve Ever Seen?”

Published: February 12, 2020

After years of organizing homes and offices, I’ve helped hundreds of people to declutter, organize and simplify their lives. During that time, one of the most common question that I am asked is, “Is this the worst you’ve ever seen?” or “Have you seen worse?” or the question of “How does my home or office compare to other spaces you’ve worked in?”

As a Certified Professional Organizer®, I have a non-judgmental approach, and I am not comparing your space to my other clients’ spaces. However, the fact that this is such a common question, means that many of my clients are comparing themselves to what they see on social media, or perhaps at homes that they visit for social events (when the host has had time to clean and hide clutter in preparation for guests). Everyone has a different definition of what organized means to them, but unfortunately, many of my clients feel shame that they are not “perfect” and want to know where they stand on a scale of best to worst.

Almost everyone (not including those who are minimalists) has some clutter, some stuff that is disorganized or overwhelming to them in their lives – this can be physical clutter, or a cluttered schedule. It is normal to be overwhelmed by disorganization, and as long as you, as my client, are willing to put in the time, effort and investment toward professional organizing services, we can work through the clutter together and dig you out toward a baseline that feels organized for you.

There are so many reasons why people become disorganized: life transitions, family situations, illnesses, mental health challenges, and more. There’s no reason to have a contest as to who’s home or office is the worst. If you want to change and are willing to do what it takes to make that transformation happen, your living or working space (and life) can improve, and that’s how I help my clients.

When I work with my clients, I talk to them about their spaces and how or why they may have gotten to the point where they’ve called in my help, but I never judge or compare them. I am there to find the quickest, easiest, and right solution for that particular person’s life. Know that your friends and neighbors are not perfect, and most of what you see on social media is staged (or cleaned up in advance). I’ve been in real homes and I’ve seen how people really live, and it is not really a question of best or worst, it is a question of how can we get this space to work best for you?

If you live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and need hands-on organizing assistance or want a do-it-yourself plan, I’d love to help you. If you live elsewhere, I offer virtual organizing services via FaceTime and Skype to help you with any size organizing project. Please contact me for a free phone consultation to get started.

How to Prepare for Scrapbooking Your Keepsakes

Published: February 5, 2020

Scrapbooking is a creative and fun hobby for many people, but it takes some planning and organization to start a scrapbooking project. If you are like most of my home organizing clients, you may have collections of photographs, school work, art work, certificates, travel brochures, ticket stubs, playbills and more that you and your family have collected over the years. You may want to create scrapbooks displaying these keepsake items, but you just don’t know where to begin. Here are some of my tips on how to prepare for scrapbooking your keepsakes.

Gather All Keepsakes in One Place

Search throughout your home and find all of the memorabilia that you might use in a scrapbooking project. These can often be found under beds, inside drawers, or in closets. Choose one location, preferably near the area where you will do the scrapbooking, and move all of those albums, boxes and piles to that space.

Set Up a Workspace

Set up a large surface such as a table or a desk, and add a comfortable chair (or additional chairs if you’re doing this with a friend or family member). Make sure there’s enough lighting by this workspace. Add a desk lamp to make it easier to see the details of your project.

Sort Keepsakes by Type and Size

Initially, just separate photographs from any types of paper. This process often involves removing photographs and certificates from frames, so they can be more easily sorted and categorized. If you have odd shaped or sized items that are too large to put in a scrapbook, gather those together to be organized and stored later.

Use Storage Products to Sort and Organize Your Keepsakes and Photos

You can use items such as a file box with labeled folders for sorting categories of paper memorabilia, or plastic or cardboard document cases and boxes in a variety of sizes, here are some products that I recommend.

Sort Keepsakes by Category

Further sort photos and paper keepsakes by category based on the topics you’d like to scrapbook. For example, you can sort them by child, or by occasion such as vacations or weddings. Place each category in a labeled folder, case, or box.

Shop for Scrapbooking Supplies

Once you know what occasions you want to scrapbook, you can shop for the scrapbooking paper, pages, stickers, stamps, etc.

Set Up Easily Accessible Storage for Your Scrapbooking Supplies

Scrapbook organizer carts, rolling drawer carts, storage caddies and small supply drawers are some storage products I recommend for organizing your scrapbooking supplies. Set these items up within reach of your workspace surface.

Schedule a Time to Work on Your Scrapbooking Project

Block out time in your calendar to work on this project. Find a time when you are well rested, focused, and free of distractions to start your project.

Begin Your Scrapbooking Project

With all of the storage supplies, scrapbooking supplies, photos and keepsakes now organized and in one space, and with a comfortable and bright workspace ready for you, you can now begin your projects and enjoy time being creative with your hobby.

On Task Organizing, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

15 Reasons to Organize Your Filing Cabinets

Published: January 29, 2020

Most homes have at least one filing cabinet or file box full of documents, and offices have even more. Although most documents can now be accessed digitally, there are many benefits to organizing your filing cabinets.

Here’s a look at 15 reasons to organize your filing cabinets:

To save time both at home and in the office.
To easily locate records and information when needed.
To remove outdated documents that can be recycled or shredded.
To prepare papers for scanning.
To eliminate overwhelming paper piles.
To make it easier to file tax returns.
To avoid late fees by having bills organized and paid on time.
To have insurance information ready if needed.
To keep better track of all financial records.
To keep better track of receipts and expenses.
To gather essential documents (birth certificates, social security cards, etc.) to be relocated to a safe deposit box.
To provide information such as your will, health care directives and passwords to financial accounts to family members in case of your hospitalization or death.
To have easy access to user manuals should something in your home need repair.
To have medical records on file and quickly accessible.
To be able to retain necessary documents for a predetermined length of time (for businesses, based on your company’s file retention policy) in an organized filing system.

The main benefit of organizing any area of your home or office is that you will save time searching for items resulting in less stress and chaos. If you live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and need hands-on organizing assistance or want a do-it-yourself plan, I’d love to help you. If you live elsewhere, I offer virtual organizing services via video chat to help you with any size organizing project. Please contact me for a free phone consultation to get started.

My Favorite Laundry Room Organizing Products

Published: January 22, 2020

Laundry rooms can come in various sizes, it could be a small closet, or a large room with counters, a sink and cabinets. The size of your laundry space will influence how it can be organized, but some of these products can be used in many laundry rooms. Here are some of my favorite laundry room organizing products:

An over-the-washer storage shelf

A space-saving thin rolling laundry cart

An over-the-door ironing board holder

A wall-mounted ironing board

A drying hanger for air-drying delicates

A wall-mounted retractable clothesline

A folding wooden clothes drying rack

A hanging under-shelf basket (if you have wire shelving)

Shelf liners (if you have wire shelving)

Stackable laundry baskets

Pop-up laundry hampers

A hanger hamper

The exact size and style of organizing product you choose depends on the layout of your laundry area, the size of the space, and of course your personal organizing style. For a more detailed and personalized look at what will work for YOU and in YOUR laundry space, feel free to contact me for a free phone consultation to discuss my virtual organizing sessions, available nationwide, or in-person organizing sessions in the Raleigh, North Carolina area.

Nancy Haworth is Now a Certified Professional Organizer®

Published: January 15, 2020

I am proud to announce that I have achieved the prestigious designation of Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®) from the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers® (BCPO®). This is one of the biggest professional achievements in the organizing and productivity industry! I am one of 3 CPOs in the Raleigh area, and one of only 10 in North Carolina, according to the CPO directory.

CPO certification recognizes those professionals who have proven through examination and extensive client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification. The program recognizes and raises industry standards, practices, and ethics. While the CPO designation is not an endorsement or recommendation, certification of professional organizers maximizes the value received from the services provided and products recommended by a CPO.

Nancy Haworth with her Certified Professional Organizer certificate — Nancy Haworth, Certified Professional Organizer®

I personally chose to earn my certification because it demonstrates to others that I hold myself to a high standard, that I am committed to my professional education, and that I have a wealth of experience and dedication to professional organizing. Being bound by the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers® (BCPO®) code of ethics shows that I am dedicated to the highest ethical principles of my industry.

To become a CPO, and before I could sit for the exam, I had to provide documentation of at least 1,500 hours of paid work experience in transferring organizing skills to others over the past 5 years, or 1,250 hours of paid work combined with 250 hours of continuing education in the professional organizing industry. I began my organizing career in February, 2012, so my years and hours of paid work experience greatly exceeded that number. In addition to work experience, I had earned over 300 hours of continuing education prior to taking the exam.

After months of studying, reading dozens of books, and attending courses, I sat for the CPO exam, which took about 2 hours to complete. The exam consisted of questions relating to all aspects of the professional organizing and productivity industry including communication with clients, preliminary assessments, project plan development, project implementation, maintenance, and legal and ethical responsibilities. I passed the exam in October, 2019 and received my official CPO status later that year. To maintain this designation, I must continue my professional education with at least 15 hours of continuing education per year, and be re-certified every 3 years.

When you’re searching for the right organizer to guide and assist you with decluttering, organizing or time management in your home or office, the choices can be overwhelming. Searching for a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, or narrowing it down to a Certified Professional Organizer® can give you the peace of mind that you’re hiring a trained, experienced and ethical professional. I am honored to now be listed as a Certified Professional Organizer® among so many other experts in the organizing field.

If you live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and want to work with a Certified Professional Organizer®, I’d love to help you! If you live elsewhere, I offer virtual organizing services via video chat to help you with any size organizing project. Please contact me for a free phone consultation to get started.

How Long Will It Take To Get Organized?

Published: January 8, 2020

One of the most common questions I am asked is, “How long will it take to get organized?”. There is no one answer because the amount of time it takes to get organized is based on so many things. I personally offer my professional organizing services in blocks of time of 3 hours or more, but 3 hours is usually just the tip of the iceberg…

Factors to Consider When Determining How Long it Will Take to Get Organized

How long you’ve felt disorganized or overwhelmed by clutter

If you’ve become disorganized because of a life transition such as recent move, a new baby, or a brief illness, it will take less time to get back to your baseline of organization. If you’ve felt disorganized for years, decades, or even your whole life, it will take much longer to achieve the organization level that you desire.

Your personal definition of organized and your individual goals

The feeling of “organized” is subjective. Some of my clients want everything neatly color-coded, labeled, and placed in matching containers. Others will honestly tell me that their vision is just to be able to see the kitchen table surface, or the floor again. Some goals will take longer than others to reach.

How many physical items there are to sort through

A 10’ x 10’ guest room with some clutter won’t take nearly as long to sort through and organize, compared to a 5,000 square foot home with a garage, basement and attic filled with belongings. The size of your space, and the number of items in that space, definitely matter when talking about how long it will take.

The speed at which you make decisions

As a professional organizer, I guide and assist you in the decision-making process. However, the items we’re sorting through belong to you, and you must make some choices as to which items are most important or can be donated, sold, or discarded. Your decision-making speed impacts how long it will take you to get organized.

Any mental health challenges that are involved

Some mental health challenges such as Hoarding Disorder, OCD and ADHD can make it more difficult to get and stay organized.

Other people in your home or office, your relationship with them, and their level of disorganization

If you have family members or co-workers who are not bothered by disorganization, are not on board with your goal of getting organized, or add to disorganization in your space, these people can all influence the time it will take to get organized.

Time constraints

Your personal time constraints, such as if you’re busy working or taking care of your family and do not have much time to set aside to get organized. A professional organizer can help streamline the process, but you’ll still need to set aside time for getting organized.

Distractions

Distractions such as family members, children, pets, visitors, phone calls and text messages can all take you off track while getting organized. This is why I suggest limiting distractions during scheduled organizing sessions.

Accountability

If you have someone to hold you accountable (such as a professional organizer, family member or friend), you will be more likely to set aside the time to work on your personal organizing goals.

Personal Motivation – your WHY

Everyone has a different reason motivating them to get organized. Perhaps you want to be able to invite friends over for dinner without feeling embarrassed, maybe a you want to be a good role model for your children and teach them how to live an organized life, or you just want less stress in your own life. All of these have been motives that some of my clients have had for getting organized. As you’re working through the organizing project, always think back to your “why”. The more motivated you are, the more quickly you’ll work through the process.

Frequency of your scheduled organizing sessions

It takes multiple organizing sessions to fully declutter, organize and set up systems to maintain an organized home or office. The frequency of these scheduled sessions is important to keep momentum going. If you schedule weekly, biweekly, or even monthly sessions, you’re much more likely to achieve your goals, not backslide much, and take less time overall, as compared to scheduling sessions once every 6 months.

Your ability to maintain an organized space

Your willingness to put things away regularly, to avoid over-shopping after decluttering, and to maintain an organized space in between sessions, can also impact the amount of time it will take to get organized.

If you are interested in working with me either in-person or through virtual organizing sessions, I spend time during your complimentary phone consultation or video chat learning more about you and your individual situation. It is then that we can discuss your timeline, goals, and the amount of time you’re willing to invest in getting and staying organized.

Usually, after the first session or two, I may be able to give you a ballpark idea of the number of hours it may take to reach your goals, but again, that really depends on the factors listed above. In any case, it is best to schedule recurring organizing sessions, keeping up momentum, and seeing progress each time, until you reach the point that you feel you’re organized.