This year I attended my first NSGCD and NAPO conferences. It was an experience I recommend highly to all Professional Organizers. I had a chance to connect with hundreds of other organizers from all over the country and Canada too! We shared tips, ideas, lessons learned and experiences that will enable us all to be better organizers and provide the best possible service to our clients.
I attended over 30 hours of workshops and educational sessions on many topics of interest to me and my clients. Here are just a few of the highlights....
- Conducting Residential Needs Assessment using the Eyes of a Stranger Method presented by Kathy Waddill, author of the excellent book "The Organizing Sourcebook"
- Coaching Skills taught by Laura Berman Fortgang, internationally recognized as a pioneer in the personal coaching field and the best-selling author of "Living Your Best Life" and "Take Yourself to the Top" and the new, "Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction." She was amazing! I bought all her books and her CD training program as well.
- Every Child Has a Thinking Style: Creating an Organizing System that Supports Their Needs by Lanna Nakone, author of "Organizing for Your Brain Type" and "Kids Can Be Organized Too!"
- Action Paper Management: Can't File 'em, Can't Trash 'em. Now What?
by Rachel Claret. She presented great ideas on paper management and how to determine which system will work best for different clients.
- Mindful Listening to Optimize Outcomes with Rebecca Shafir, author of "The Zen of Listening: Mindful Communication in the Age of Distraction" She covered effective communication strategies to help ADD clients succeed.
- Working with Chronically Disorganized Clients
- Current Techniques in the Treatment of Compulsive Hoarding with Dr. Randy Frost
- Reframing the Mind: Helping Clients through the Process of Change with Phyllis Flood Knerr, CPO-CD
- Laying the Foundation for Getting Organized with Marilyn Paul, author of "You Can't Make a Difference if you Can't Find Your Keys" Sharing her painful experience with recovering from chronic disorganization was both moving and enlightening.
Attending these conferences helped me confirm that I made the right choice in becoming a professional organizer and renew my commitment to my mission -
Helping people transform their lives by empowering them to overcome chronic disorganization and clutter.
I also met some amazing people whose passion and dedication to helping others was inspirational and affirming. I made many new friends that I look forward to staying in touch with. Lots of love goes out to Julie Muller, Liz Maffucci, Deb Hendrickson, Michael Delfausse, Hildy Neumann, Klara Carames, Holly Graff, Molly Brady, Lynn Tapper, Barbara Boone, Jennifer Wry, Theresa Torres, Kim Rente, Ann Gambrell, Sheila McCurdy, Jean Goetz, Marla Dee and to my NJ Chapter friends Gayle Gruenberg and Victoria Pearlman - You made my conference experience truly wonderful!
Thank you all!

Here are a few pictures from the conference...
Me with my new friend, Julie Muller, from Peace of Mind in Bend OR
Me with another new friend Molly Brady
Me with another new friend Victoria Pearlman
Recent Comments