 Background
People often ask me, "How did you end up doing this work?"
On the surface, I can see how one career led to another. Digging
deeper, I realize that the organizing work I have been doing since
1999 embraces most of my life’s professional experiences over
33 years, and fully expresses what motivates me in life.
I once thought I would hang out a shingle that read, "Here
to Help." That seemed to sum up my life’s purpose. I
have always wanted to be helpful to others – in all sorts
of ways. I look for ways to make life easier and more comfortable,
to find solutions to problems, to figure out how things can work
more effectively and efficiently, to be a sounding board and to
offer guidance and advice when asked. I am always looking at how
things work, or don’t, and what I can do to improve the process.
I even like to solve technical mysteries, like how to program the
DVD player! So I am a happy camper when I can help others with organizing
challenges.
Practicing psychotherapy for ten years prepared me well for listening
with compassion and without judgment, noticing my clients' needs,
feelings, and thoughts, being fully present, and knowing how to
build safe and lasting relationships. I learned to quickly assess
a multitude of issues and help clients discover solutions and come
to terms with life’s complexities.
Much of my other professional work has involved coordinating and
completing projects - seeing the big picture of all that needs to
be done, gathering the necessary resources, dealing with schedules,
budgets and people, and then attending to the details of completing
the assignment – just like organizing.
Serving as a former executive director of a non-profit, in addition
to several years of experience working in a large corporation, I
am familiar with the unique demands of these professional environments,
as well as the common challenges such as operating with big budgets,
managing multiple programs and schedules and communicating effectively
with many different types of people.
As a small business owner since 1974, I have had many opportunities
to develop expertise in tax preparation and personal finance. I
have also helped clients with bookkeeping, budgeting, debt management,
and other personal finance projects, and worked for an accountant
for several years helping prepare tax returns.
Helping people navigate life transitions, helping people complete
projects, helping people understand money – all my previous
experiences fit into WholeLife Organizing. But when I began working
on organizing projects in 1999, I didn’t even know there was
a career called professional organizing. Once I learned others were
also doing this work, that an entire association existed for people
like us, I formally founded my consulting business in 2001. Since
then, I have been privileged to help many people face their unique
organizing challenges.
Now I am here to help you.
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Philosophy
A Good Fit. The success of our work together depends
on "good fit." It is important that you feel safe and
comfortable with me, and confident that I can, and am, actually
helping you. The way we go about your project also needs to fit
with how you do things naturally, your personality, attention span,
energy level, temperament and budget. I also need to believe I am
the best person to help you.
Mutual Respect. Working with organizing projects
often means exposing very private information. I am committed to
respecting, and keeping confidential, what I learn about you and
your life, and to honor your trust in me. As a member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers, I abide by their Code
of Ethics.
Growing awareness. There will be many opportunities
to learn more about yourself and how you attend to things.
My Green Side. I will go to great lengths to find
ways to reuse and recycle things you no longer want or need, and
to find organizations that will greatly benefit from your donations.
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Qualifications
- Psychotherapy and counseling with individuals, couples, groups
- Project coordination
- Tax preparation
- Non-profit administration (Executive Director)
- Coaching individuals in transition
- Group and meeting facilitation
- Writing and editing
- Educational program design and development
Education
- M.A. Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, John F. Kennedy University
- M.S. Journalism, Columbia University
- B.A. cum laude, French Literature, New York University
Professional Credentials
- Specialist in Chronic Disorganization, NSGCD,
December 2003
- Specialist in Attention Deficit Disorder, NSGCD,
March 2005
- Continuing Education Areas: Learning Styles and Modalities,
Client Administration, Mental Health Issues, Working with Physically
Challenged Clients, Working with Elderly Clients
- Member, National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)
- Member, National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)
- Member, North Carolina Chapter of NAPO (NAPO-NC)
in the media
"Weeding the Garden
of Your Possessions," by Yvonne Trostli, Inner
Change Magazine, Fall 1999.
"Professional Organizing Becomes a Booming Business"
transcript of a radio report by Leda Hartman, broadcast on Voice
of America Radio, January 1, 2004, and on Minnesota Public Radio’s
"Marketplace Morning Report" on January 2, 2004. Leda
interviewed one of my clients about our work together over 18 months
and reported on the process and the benefits she received through
the organizing we completed. View
the transcript on the Voice of America website.
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After
Work
When not working with clients I enjoy watching birds feeding outside
my kitchen window, communing with our cat, Wildboy, walking through
our wooded neighborhood or taking more strenuous hikes with Doug,
relaxing with a novel, or simply luxuriating in silence.
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