First Confession: Organizing is not my natural tendency. Really, there is so much else I want to do! So many ways to spend my time!

There are professional organizers who have been organizing since they were children. In fact, my daughter has a friend who cleans and organizes rooms when she comes over! (silly me. I thought the Wii would be the game of choice.) Then, there are other professional organizers who did not start out so organized, but rather learned from personal experience and many, many other brilliant people how to get organized. I belong to the latter group, and that's why it's such a joy for me to help others get organized. I've experienced the benefits myself! Don't believe me? Here's some proof: this is my closet about four years ago. It was my very first organizing project! What I have learned in the past four years is that spending time on getting and staying organized in my home is similar to investing money....it takes a significant initial investment (of time & energy) but the return (of time & energy & sanity) is even greater.

Second Confession: The current condition of my house is not perfectly organized!

It is, however, organized enough for me to concentrate on the “big stuff” (life goals, parenting & relationships) because I know most of the “little stuff” (housework, meals & laundry) is taken care of. So, if you come over to my house and open one of my closets, don't expect to see it looking like a Pottery Barn ad. And you may have to step over someone's train set or Harry Potter books to navigate through the living room. But you're welcome to come over anytime.

Third Confession: I don't always like telling people I am a professional organizer.

Don't get me wrong...I love being a professional organizer. I love it when clients tell me they have learned how to manage their files, or papers, or meals, or what every it is, without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. But sometimes when I tell people I am a professional organizer, a huge wave of guilt sweeps over their face, and they say “you wouldn't want to see my house!” Or once when I told a stranger that I was a professional organizer, he said, (with a smirk), “oh, right. People are so lazy that they have to pay someone to organize for them!” How far from the truth. I can tell you one thing: four years ago (when my closets and home looked like these before pictures) I was working outside the home 20 hours every weekend, taking care of a home and three children under the age of six, as well as doing volunteer work. I know I was not lazy. Nor was I incapable of taking care of my stuff. I just needed to learn some new skill sets and how to apply them, and I am so thankful to the women who taught them to me.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Happy Organizing!

Dannie