Dear Cara,
My wife and I both work from home but still cannot seem to get ourselves organized. I would like to know more about your services for homeowners/home businesses.
Please call or email me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Prospective Client

I called the prospective client to find out what his organizing challenges were.  Although it sounded like a perfect fit, because he mentioned a home business, I still needed to be sure I’m the correct person for the job. Within that conversation, he revealed to me that his wife isn’t exactly on-board with hiring me.  They would like to get her office area organized so she no longer has to use the kitchen.  They need to address incoming mail and bills so that every item coming into the home has a designated resting spot and gets to where it needs to be.  Secondary to this, his office also needs some organizing, as do the children’s bedrooms.  His wife is adamant about the fact that they should be able to do this themselves and he wants to be very careful not to cause any further tension.

This is not uncommon.  Betsy and I have both received phone calls and emails like this and want to be sure we have everyone’s approval before we begin an organizing project.  If this situation sounds like you or if you’re a beginner organizer who receives an inquiry like this, here are a few things to consider:

1. Always be sure the person whose room/office/items/stuff you are organizing wants you to help her get organized.  Often family members or work associates think they are doing someone a favor by bringing in an Organizer when the client feels she has no need for one.  This can lead to resentment and an unwillingness of the client to participate.
2. I asked the above client if he’d like to begin working on his office.  It is possible that once his wife sees the progress we make with his office, she will be more willing to have me work with her in her space as well.  Leading by example can be a great way to get another person motivated.
3. I was very sympathetic and honest with him about his situation.  I also offered some insight with which he could share with his wife:   “Although there are times when people are able to find the motivation to get things done on their own, there are also many times when the best of intentions just can’t make it happen.  I think the pace of life in general has gotten so fast for all of us and we’re left wondering why we can’t keep up.  I’m here to let people know that asking for help doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it just means that you value your time and would rather spend it doing other things.”
4. And lastly I encourage keeping in touch with the client; at a minimum via newsletter or through periodic announcements.  Even if I never work directly with a prospective client, I want him/her to feel that I can be a resource for them when it comes to getting them organized.  My business is as much about education as it is about making money. 

If you have any questions or comments about this blog, please feel free to post your feedback or email me directly at cara@organizewithsos.com.