10 Things I Love About Being an Organiser

When I first contemplated the idea of being an organiser, there were very few of us here in Australia. My role models and organising news came from magazines and television shows produced overseas. Like most people who dream of being an organiser, I have a natural talent for being organised and wondered if I could make a living out of it.

I’m so glad I took the leap back in 2005. Looking back, it really has been wonderful. Here are 10 things I love about being an organiser.

1. I love helping people. In this job I get to do that all the time. I can see that the work I do helps people in big and small ways. I’ve helped people move house, make room for a new baby, take next steps after grieving a loss, create space for a cherished hobby, make their home safe, and so much more. As a lifelong volunteer, I love that my natural instinct to help has also supported my family.
2. I love getting to know my clients. As you can imagine, over the years I’ve met and worked with many clients. Each and every one of them has a story to tell. It’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s home (or workplace or storage shed!) to help them get organised. We get to peek behind the curtains and into their life. Clients will sometimes confide things in me that they haven’t told anyone else before. I thank them for that trust, and for letting me get to know them. It’s when we know our clients well that we can really help them best.
3. I love learning new things. Getting to know my clients well teaches me something new every time. I learn about what works for them. I learn new things from the way they have overcome challenges. I learn when I’m looking for answers to help them in the organising challenges they face, because each person and challenge is unique. I also learn from my colleagues as we network and share ideas. I learn from thought leaders and elite academics and organising experts from all around the world. How lucky am I?
4. I love organising. I guess it goes without saying, but I still love doing the thing that drew me into being an organiser in the first place. It’s a great feeling to do what you love and get paid for it. The joy of finding a practical solution still gives me a thrill.
5. I love being my own boss. Not every organiser works for themselves, but I do and I love it. If I make a decision in my business, I can quickly implement it. There are no three layers of hierarchy to go through to seek approval, get funding, or fill out a requisition form. Bliss! Of course, in my Hoarding Home Solutions business, I do have a partner to consider. But it is a true partnership and Wendy Hanes and I work really well together. It’s great. It’s like being the boss but with an accountability buddy.
6. I love setting my own hours. I have crafted a business that works for me. I work according to my schedule. Peak hour traffic? No thanks! I schedule my appointments to optimise my time. There have been times in my career when I worked weekends or evenings because it suited me. I appreciate the flexibility.
7. I love the freedoms I get from being an organiser. This organising career has given me many things and those benefits are growing year after year. There are three main freedoms I’ve achieved because I have crafted the business that works for me. I already mentioned the time freedom – the ability to be flexible and set my own hours. If I want to spend more time with family, or travelling, or going to Pilates, I have that freedom. The second is location freedom. I can do my work from almost anywhere. Now that I provide virtual consultations, training and mentoring, all I need is the internet. As well as that, people need organising all over the world. I am free to do my work from anywhere. Thirdly, there is the financial freedom I get from a business that supports my life. The freedom and security of having a sustainable business is a privilege I don’t take lightly.
8. I love the professional organising community. I have met so many wonderful people from home and abroad through this work. There’s a special joy in connecting with your “own people”. I feel so lucky to have been a part of the development of the industry here in Australia, and to share a special bond with those people of integrity and professionalism. When you’re an organiser, you have friends all over the world.
9. I love sharing what I’ve learned. There are things I’ve come to know along the way, about how to help people get organised and about running an organising business, and I have a deep desire to share that. I believe in generosity of spirit, and that extends to sharing what I know with both aspiring and experienced organisers. When asked for my opinion, or my expertise, I never hold back. I have an abundance mindset.
10. I love seeing people succeed. I love to see an organising client’s face light up when they master a new system, or they make room for the important things in their life. I love to see an organising trainee discover their niche or book their first of many clients. I love to hear that a colleague landed a speaking gig or that they’re booked solid for months ahead. John F. Kennedy said, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” I totally agree.

When I first started my organising career, I knew that I loved to organise and I loved to help people get organised. I had no idea my career would lead me so far, and that I’d end up loving so much more.

If you’re an organiser, tell me what you love about being an organiser.

If you’d like to become an organiser, take a look at my online training or The Professional Organiser’s Edge.

If you’re curious to find out more about a career in organising, drop me a line.