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Archive for professional organizers

An Interesting Minimalist Conflict

Posted by Carolyn on
 August 20, 2015
Owning Less

www.katrinaleechambers.com/owning-less/

Recently, I have been on a journey of social media exploration as part of a marketing/program development/self education/re-branding exercise.  My newest foray was into Pinterest from my relatively new iPhone.  While cruising through the myriad of visually stimulating material, and practising posting, I came across a re-post by a colleague on her Minimalist board.  With my new-found social media/iPhone techie confidence, I cheekily posted this picture about owning vs. organizing to our local professional organizer Facebook group asking about conflict of interest.  I left out the LOL since I sincerely believed everyone else would join me in the irony of professional organizers endorsing minimalism.  Several hours later while discussing marketing strategies over lunch, I became aware that with 7 comments already logged on my post, not everyone saw it with the same ironic perspective as I.  By 10 comments, I also had an email asking me if I might like to write a post on the subject for the group.

Now the real irony was hitting me like a sledge hammer and I felt compelled to clarify my position.  You see, amongst other volunteer activities in the industry, I sit on an industry task force which will be soon be redeveloping a Conflict of Interest policy for the Canadian association for professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada.  I had no real interest in making a political statement for or against minimalism.  In fact, as a professional organizer, I believe it is important to clearly understand any new trends that have an impact on our industry.  I believe this so strongly, I have founded an annual think tank, The Organizing Summit, to this end.

In reading the posts, however, I learned some other interesting information about my colleagues that has left me with renewed admiration and humility.  I learned, for example, that not only are my colleagues ensuring that they are educated on new trends (Minimalism) but that they are finding related topics and trends (Essentialism) on which to educate themselves.  It was evident that even relatively new professional organizers are concerned about conflict of interest in their professional lives and can write eloquently about it.  There are also different ways of defining minimalism so even the irony is not straightforward.  Finally, it was very apparent that many of my colleagues are tracking their social media accounts carefully and taking time to comment, like, re-post and share quickly and efficiently.

Bottom line for me?  1. No haphazard posts: be clear on your intention and if an LOL helps to clarify, add that in. 2. I still have some catching up to do on social media education. 3. The professional organizers in our group are a)sensitive to discussions on conflict of interest and b)making sure they are up to speed on new trends.

All good.

Ethical Issues Mentored for Momentum Coaching
Tags : conflict of interest, minimalism, POC, professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada

POC Toronto, Thank You!

Posted by Carolyn on
 May 28, 2013

Thank you to the Toronto Chapter of Professional Organizers in Canada for including me in their Ask a Senior Organizer panel at last night’s meeting.  I was honoured to share the panel with highly esteemed colleagues Harold Taylor of Taylor in Time and Deanne Kelleher of the Kaos Group.  The evening was very well attended; the view from the front of the room was fantastic with over 40 people in attendance.

Emily Gibson, the evening’s program coordinated, had previously solicited questions from members, which she then distributed to the three of us.  I found this a great strategy since it gave us a chance to prepare our answers and it gave the audience a chance to prepare their questions.

Thank you POC Toronto for a great evening!

Uncategorized
Tags : POC Toronto Chapter, professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada, Senior Organizers

Boot Camp for Organizers

Posted by Carolyn on
 May 22, 2013

Calling all new or novice professional organizers!

Are you looking to kick start your business this summer?  Wondering how to get started but not sure who to ask?

Come and join us at Professional Organizer Boot Camp starting June 2013.  This 6 week, intense group mentoring program will help you get your business toned and tuned.  Check us out.   Kick start your business and join the fun.

Give us a call and lets get you started: 647-505-2256

Organizing Strategies
Tags : Boot Camp for Organizers, mentoring, professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada

Disorganized Success – At What Price?

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 14, 2009

Many of you are successful and busy professionals in either your own company or a corporate firm. Some of you are successful despite the fact your world teeters on the edge between organizational disaster and “pulled through again” as you live with your organizational struggles.

Disorganization can be very, very stressful. Living in fear that the rest of the office, business or corporation will discover how disorganized you really are is a stress that few professionals can withstand for very long. You may have tried to be more organized and failed. Perhaps you have been disorganized all your adult life. Perhaps your disorganization permeates your private life as well as your business life – but at home the world may be a little more forgiving.

What price is your disorganization costing your life? Stress? Someone else’s time to find things? Rework? Redo?

Perhaps now is the time to consider getting help before the stress takes over or the balance of your life tips in the wrong direction. The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization is a research based education organization for professional organizers and other health care providers who are interested in chronic disorganization. The group provides resources to the public and a referral program. In the United States, the National Association of Professional Organizers also has a referral program. In Canada, the Professional Organizers in Canada can help you find an organizer with special skills in chronic disorganization in your area.

Don’t pay the high price of disorganization. Your life is too valuable.

Organizing Resources
Tags : ICD, Institute for Challenging Disorganization, NAPO, National Association of Professional Organizers, POC, professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada, Understanding disorganization
increased organization in your business

Top 5 Series – Organization in your Business

Posted by Carolyn on
 October 17, 2008

increase organization in your businessYou recognize its time to increase organization in your business. You’ve been working diligently to increase your personal organization. As the paper clears and the dust settles, you realize your staff are also working in a cluttered, ineffective environment. It’s time to change the culture in the office from “No one really cares since these aren’t public offices” to “We are proud of the professional environment in which we work“. These strategies will help.

1. Set the Standard Yourself

As head of the organization, directorate or department, your leadership sets the tone. If your office is a pile of disorganized papers, you give your staff the impression you don’t care what the place looks like. Why should they? I know, I know. You can find anything you want in the office right? Are you sure? How long will it take you? And if you don’t show up tomorrow is that the way you want your leadership role remembered? To increase organization in your business requires increased organization for yourself.  Get help if you need it and struggle to manage the space, time or stuff.

2. Walk the Talk

Start talking about professional presentation and image at meetings. Add it to performance appraisals to make staff accountable. In order to increase organization in your business, you will have to set the standard across your business practices.  The top of your desk is only one place.  Staying on time for, during and at meetings speaks volumes about how your expect your staff to perform.

3. Make it easy

Ensure that every staff member has immediate access to a blue box for recycling; right beside their desk in place of a garbage can wouldn’t be tool close.

4. Give staff the Tools

Ensure that every staff has the tools they need to be organized in their work space. Do they have reasonable access to appropriate filing space? Do they have a desk that works? Is there a book shelf or alternative for holding company policy manuals or obligatory preventative maintenance reports? If you aren’t sure what is missing or why an employee is so disorganized, consider having a professional organizer conduct an assessment of the work space in question. There may be more complex organizational issues that the employee is struggling with.

5. Make Organizing a Habit

Schedule a semi-annual clear out day. The rules for the time are simple. Everyone participates in a clear out of their work space on this day. No other meetings or activities are booked. Order lunch for the gang. To increase organization in your business requires routine and practice.

Business Organizing Organizing Strategies Top 5 Series
Tags : Clearing Clutter, Disorganized Employees, Leadership, Management, professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada, Top 5 Series

Leadership is something we do, not something we study.

Posted by Carolyn on
 November 5, 2007

This blog is the result of turning dreaming into action. Many years ago, I had the privilege of reporting to a man who, when he learned of my ambition to someday pursue a PhD in the study of leadership, motivation and education, responded that leadership is something we do, not something we study. My path since that moment has taken an interesting turn. The journey has included formation of my company, Wellrich Organizers, almost three years ago and a sojourn through more academia as I pursue certification in chronic disorganization with the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. A focusing of the education, experience and knowledge gained thus far, professional organizing has proven to be the melding of three knowledge arenas which have long held my interest, study and passion namely education, management and psychology. So here goes….I invite you to join me.

Business Organizing Office Organizing
Tags : Leadership, NAPO, National Association of Professional Organizers, POC, professional organizers, Professional Organizers in Canada

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