Q. What does a professional organizer do?
A. The official definition is that a Professional Organizer (also known as P.O.) provides ideas, information, structure, solutions and systems which lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, and more control over time, space and activities. In other words, we help people get organized. Each person's needs are individualized, but they mostly encompass the areas of clutter control, paper management, and time management. That includes homes, offices, desks, and filing systems.

Q. Sounds like something everyone could use.
A. While it is true that anyone could learn to be more organized, some people do not desire help. Many people believe it is something they should be able to do on their own or with the help of a book. While the books are good, they only provide a "cookie-cutter" solution for each problem. Many people find it difficult to transfer the information from a book to their own situations. Or they may not have time to read the books. With a P.O., solutions are customized for your needs in an efficient manner.

Q. Is this really a profession?
A. It is definitely a profession, growing daily. More than  4,000 organizers are members of NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers, which has been in existence since 1985 .

Q. Why would I want to hire a NAPO organizer versus a non-NAPO organizer?
A. NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers, is recognized as the association for organizers. NAPO offers organizers opportunities to sharpen their skills through ongoing education and professional development. NAPO has a Code of Ethics by which members are expected to abide. A professional organizer who is a NAPO member has made a commitment to their business and thus to you, the client.

Q. What does CPO mean after an organizer's name?
A. CPO® is the acronym for Certified Professional Organizer®. Certification demonstrates an organizer's proficiency and recognizes those who have met specific standards through examination and client interaction by the Board of Certification of Professional Organizers. Certification indicates proficiency in the core competencies of the organizing profession and gives further evidence of being an expert in the field.

Q. Can you give me examples of what P.O.s do?
A. Each P.O. offers a different variety of specialties. We may help people pack and unpack for moving, help decide the most appropriate places to put things in a new house or a closet that has been renovated, help teach how to de-clutter, help with downsizing to a smaller residence, organize garages, teach time management, work with ADD clients or chronically disorganized, design customized filing systems, organize business owners and their employees' desks, provide seminars, offer gift certificates, write articles or books, do consulting, do phone coaching and some incorporate feng shui. There are actually 41 specialties listed by NAPO .

Q. No one could get me organized. Why do you think a professional can?
A. No one is hopeless. Anyone's organizational level can be improved when instructed by a specialist who studies the topic and understands organizing in a systematic manner. A P.O. is not overwhelmed by your situation, as you may be. We know where to start and where to go next. We break projects into small segments, working on them methodically with you. As the job gets done, you learn organizing techniques in the process.

Q. Shouldn't I be able to do this on my own?
A. For many people this is very difficult. It is like trying to change a tire on a car without having the proper knowledge or tools. You can try to wing it, but it will be stressful and frustrating. There is no substitute for being efficiently guided by someone who has specific knowledge in the field and can calmly guide you without judgment or criticism. Additionally, we keep you focused and on track, and provide motivation.

Q. My whole house is a disaster. Where do I start?
A. The P.O. helps you with those decisions. Which area is interfering with your lifestyle the most? Is it the papers all over your kitchen, making it difficult to cook or eat? Are you embarrassed for guests or even your own children to see it? If you can't even walk into your clothes closet, this may be the place to start.

Q. I am too embarrassed for a P.O. to see my home. I'd need to work on it myself first.
A. These are two different issues. First, P.O.s. are the people who should see your home or office just as it is. We see situations like this all the time. You wouldn't be embarrassed to tell your doctor you aren't feeling well and it's the same here. We exist to get you past that situation and help you feel better. Secondly, if you wait to work on it first, it may never get done as that's why it's like it is. You may get overwhelmed or not know where to start, then you'll continue the cycle of feeling badly and getting nothing done.

Q. Do you consult with me or do you work hands-on?
A. After a brief consultation, we work hands-on, along side you. Within a few hours, progress will be evident, whether it is on your desk, in your files, your closet, your kitchen, etc. We guide and coach you as you decide what things to keep, throw away, give away or move to a more appropriate area.

Q. But that's part of my problem. I can't decide what to do with anything.
A. That's okay. We're going to guide you through the process and help you stay focused. By asking you a series of questions, we will get you to think past the point where you might normally set something down just anywhere. Through conversation with the P.O., conscious decisions will be made about each item.

Q. How will I ever maintain what we accomplish?
A. It's easier than you think. First, you will be so pleased with the transformation around you, you will be motivated to maintain it. Second, you will feel such a sense of satisfaction, some people describe it as control or peacefulness, which further serves to motivate you. Third, during the process, systems were established that are easy to use and access. Now all your items have a home, so you easily can put things away. Finally, during the process, your P.O. pointed out habits that need to change.

Q. How much will this cost me?
A. More than a cleaning lady, less than a psychologist, a P.O. is often expected to do some of both. Professional organizers in the Atlanta area charge anywhere from $45-$125 per hour. They are independent business owners. Compare the time you spend searching for lost and misplaced items, versus the time you'd save if you were organized. Multiply those unproductive hours by your hourly rate at work. This is a tangible way to calculate what disorganization may be costing you. If you take time to organize, you save time and money in the long run, like maintenance on a car.

Q. How do I find a P.O.?
A. Search the NAPO website, yellow pages (under Organizing Services), ask your friends. Interview the organizer to make certain your personalities mesh as you will be working very closely with this person. You will be on the road to one of the most fulfilling projects you have ever attempted.