|
Posted by Julie Signore on July 16, 2000 at 09:41:34: In Reply to: Getting a business started posted by Felicia on July 13, 2000 at 10:05:36: Aloha Felicia... First of all *Congratulations* on obtaining your degree!!!! Actually in the past few years we have received hundreds of inquiries from college students doing research in the industry of Professional Organizing or students with their own interest in this field. We have even received numerous inquiries from Professors as well, wanting permission to use segments of the website in their classes or utilizing the website in an online presentation for the students. THIS is wonderful -- as *Organizational skills* have not been taught in the classrooms in the past & it is a CRUCIAL ingredient to success in one's chosen profession as an adult-- in any field!! We are elated to see this new trend rising to say the least!! Now in regards to your question about servicing "one Client as an Personal Assistant" or "several Clients as a Professional Organizer"..... I have been a Profesional Organizer for over 8 years & since the onset I have been a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). I highly recommend contacting HQ for more information via their website at: http://www.napo.net I personally hold a very high regard for the wealth of Clients I have been able to service over the years, & I have been priviledged with the honor of working with numerous people from ALL walks of Life. You see, dis-organization has no boundaries & affects people on a worldwide basis, regardless of geographic area, education, sex, age or culture. Far too many people feel they are alone with this challenge -- & that is far from the true reality!!! Initially one may think that in acquiring the services of a PO ...that the PO is the teacher & the Client is the student. Yes, I can design numerous systems that will work uniquely for my Client; I can come up with a spactial system they may never have thought of; I can gain space in ANY situation -- where they felt it was impossible; I can teach them how to gain control of their time, paper & Life.... Yet, working with each of my Clients has been a real gift & in turn ** I ** have learned SO MUCH from each of them. They each have uniquely enriched my Life & expertise!!! Keep in mind that in being a true PO, one MUST learn about their Client on various levels. You need to learn their responsibilities, way of living, the visions they hold for their Professional career, personal Life, the work-flow of the office, the nature of the business, etc....etc...& even their hobbies!! In assisting a Client...I am working with an *entire person* ...not just a file cabinet! :) Due to the nature of the business itself, each situation offers a unique opportunity to work on a deep level with the Client in several regards. Dis-Organization is not a cause ...it is an effect. Being organized is not a mystery ...it is a skill. Unfortuantely the skill has not been taught in school at early ages. Hence millions of young adults enter the business world & struggle maintaining all their new responsibilities. As time passes, they become adults who have had to *juggle* too many hats, thus creating tremendous amounts of stress & chaos in their lives. Keep in mind that in order to truly assist someone in their organizational challenges, you MUST create a relationship evolving around trust & confidentiality. A Professional Organizer (PO) needs to be able to *listen* to the Clients needs, learn their particular characteristics, create *unique* systems to fill *their* needs, match the wealth of orgainzing products available to the particular individual ...& not operate from the mindset that "ONE way (or product!) is THE way for EVERY Client. My organizational projects can last anywhere from one session to numerous sessions based on the particular request or organization challenge. By the time I am done with a project, my Client has learned to become self-sufficient. They truly can maintain the environment on their own, gain more time in their Life & reduce tremendous amounts of stress ...moving forward to achieve their visions, dreams & goals ...doing what *they* do best!! One last comment...& I hope you hear this in a loving way....I am a believer in the Universal Laws...& I also believe that each of us has a unique gift to share with others. My gift happens to be *listening & organization* (my hubby does waaaaaay better cooking than I do for example) -- yet each person I come in contact with has a unique gift of their own as well. Becoming more organized allows *their* gift to shine through with all its beauty. This Profession is *not* about a PA/PO's need to bond with people. It is about servicing people that have been challenged or even paralyzed from dis-organization in their lives until a PO has been contracted to assist them. *IF* one approaches each new person & situation giving them the BEST of your knowledge, guidance, resources & expertise to reduce/eliminate this devastating & debilitating situation ...& *if* one approaches every situation in a trustworthy & confidential manner...maintaining the highest standard of integrity ...you can't help being gifted with a wealth of blessings in your own Life in return by the people you assist! Hope something here helps & I look forward to further posts &/or questions from you regarding this profession. Wishing you much success! Much Aloha, Julie Signore -
|