Realistic Expectations

I love watching the organizing shows on TV. However, as a Professional Organizer, I worry that the shows can sometimes create unrealistic expectations for potential organizing clients. The TV shows can appear to completely transform an entire house in just 30 or 60 mintues.

In reality, these shows have huge crews working behind the scenes, not just one organizer. And even with these crews, the work may take days or weeks to complete, but is edited to appear as if it the projects were completed more quickly.

The other pitfall to these programs is that since the organizing is done "all at once", there is an illusion that once the house is completed, order has been restored forever. There is little to no discussion of establishing new, ongoing systems and habits to maintain this blissful environment.

A Professional Organizer wants their clients to have that same wonderful reaction as the TV organizing clients; however, the reality is that this comes in a series of smaller accomplishments as the client learns to gain control over their stuff and the space in their home or office.