A reader last week wrote and asked me about training for professional organizers. I offer a personal Professional Organizer Training & Business Coaching Program in my office or over the phone. But I thought I'd share with you my answers to her questions on getting training on professional organizing methods and processes.
Q: Which, if you had to choose, of the trainings, NAPO [National Association of Professional Organizers] or NSGCD, [National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization] has helped you the most in developing new systems of organization for clients and helping them through stuck places?
A: The training I received from NSGCD has been very helpful and informative - especially in learning how to handle different client situations such as working with people who have different organizing and learning styles, are downsizing, or who have ADD, are elderly or have other special needs. (p.s. I received my Level 2 Specialist in Chronic Disorganization from them in October 2007 and only have to take the Final test in October 08 to get my Specialist in ADD Organizing)
I've also gotten great advice and ideas on how to maintain safety on the job, how to establish business & booking policies, and how to keep client records to track their progress.
I highly recommend that all Professional Organizers take advantage of the NSGCD training opportunities because even if you don't want to work with chronically disorganized people, you are very likely to find yourself working with people who are chronically disorganized. In our business, we never really know what we will find when we go to someone's home the first time, and it makes that first visit a lot less stressful if you are prepared and know how to handle various situations.
Regarding your questions about developing new organization systems for clients - I got my training on systems, consulting, coaching, facilitation, and teaching from getting a master's in organizational training and from over 20 years experience in corporate consulting, management and training.
I also learned a lot from reading books by (see my book store), reading other blogs, and especially from watching a TV show called Neat with Hellen Buttigieg. She is a great role model on process and I've learned quite a bit from her. I have recorded all her shows with my TiVo and have them on DVD too.
I also recorded and watched every Mission Organization and have learned a lot and been inspired by the variety of professional organizers they have had on the show. They now use 4 regular professional organizers who are much younger (they seem to be in their 20s). They have a lot of great ideas, but you can also tell they don't have the same life and work experience as organizers such as Monica Ricci who was on the show several times.
NAPO also provides excellent training opportunities. I have attended the annual conferences for both NAPO and NSGCD (see my pix & post with descriptions of training) I attended 2 excellent pre-conference workshops & lots of training sessions. They were invaluable to me. The people I met there inspired me and many have become great friends.
I also bought and listened to CDs of workshops I couldn't attend. To me the NAPO & NSGCD conference workshops & sessions & CDs are the BEST learning opportunities for new organizers. See lists recordings you can buy here http://www.vwtapes.com/
Q: Who would you recommend I talk to at these organizations?
A: AT NSGCD - Here's the contact list http://www.nsgcd.org/contactus/general_contacts.php
NAPO - Just call the NAPO service number and ask - they are very helpful. (847) 375-4746
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Here are some other training resources to check out.
NAPO - Public Event Calendar - Features lots of training opportunities from a variety of organizing professionals.
I'm sure there are many other good training programs, but here are couple offered by people I have personally met and know they provide great training:
Denslow Brown www.organizercoach.com
Harold Taylor www.taylorintime.com
Feel free to comment below to suggest other training opportunities you know of, or to ask me further questions, or if you are interested in private coaching and consulting sessions with me by phone, get more information including rates and packages on my coaching web page!
Sending Neat Thoughts!
Your answers are so informative. I really appreciate all that you offer here. It supports the philosophy that you can give everything away and still lose nothing. And hopefully, you do gain and prosper from all of your sharing.
I enjoyed mission organization and felt it was the closest to real life organizing of the hgtv shows. I have not seen it recently. I loved all the gagets that they used to label and show digital floor plans... i wish they shared the names of those tools. do you know about these things?
Posted by: sharon | October 25, 2006 at 10:59 AM