With the new year quickly approaching, you may be thinking of ways to make 2014 the best ever. Is a career change in your future? The first step is to figure out what you truly love to do (where is your passion?), what you’re good at (what comes naturally?), and how you want to spend your time.
Is your idea of a fun weekend organizing your kitchen cupboards? (Spices alphabetized? Check!) Is a trip to The Container Store a religious experience? Do you find yourself rearranging furniture or accessories at your friends’ homes into more symmetrical or eye-pleasing arrangements? Do you get weak in the knees over file folders and label makers? Those might be some signs that you would love a career as a professional organizer!
The first step is researching. A good place to start is by reading organizing books (both career-related and those covering a variety of organizing topics) and searching the web. My book, Born to Organize, is perfect for anyone considering a career as a professional organizer! It’s available here on this website or on Amazon. If you have a chapter of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) in your area, see if you can attend an upcoming meeting as a guest. You need to gather as much information as you can, from a variety of sources.
If you’re still intrigued after that, figure out how much money you need to make in 2014 (and beyond) to pay your bills and live the way you want to live. The salary of a professional organizer can be awesome! They often earn between $50 and $100 an hour, and sometimes more. (Rates will depend upon where you live, what services you offer, and how long you’ve been organizing, among other things.)
If you like be with people, help them learn, hear their stories, and offer flexible solutions to organizing dilemmas, this might be the perfect profession for you. If you’ve always wanted to own a business — and tackle all the details that go along with running it — then you might make a great owner of your town’s next professional organizing company. If you enjoy learning new things, researching resources, and scouting out new products, then this might be up your alley.
Don’t delay. 2014 is only a few short weeks away. It’s time to take charge and get your career on track! If you’d like to chat with someone who has been in your shoes, don’t hesitate to contact me for a free 15-minute phone consult, or set up some one-on-one phone coaching sessions for the new year.