Ready To Be More Productive?

According to professional organizer Linette George, the more stuff you have, the more you have on your mind. Now that the new year has come and gone, there's no better time to tackle what George calls "visual chaos" than right now.

"A lot of people resolve to get organized," said George, owner of Get Organized by George and secretary of Chicago's chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

As a member of the professional organization, George must abide by a code of ethics. She also has the opportunity to attend professional seminars and courses to keep up in this growing field.

Her background, too, suits her well for her home-based business. "My psychology major comes in very handy," George said. "It helps (me) to walk people through their psychological hold on material possessions." Her past jobs have included administrative assistant positions, which tend to require a high level of organizational skill. She was also a public school teacher and corporate trainer, giving her the ability and the patience to teach clients how to maintain their newfound neatness.

George said many people buy because they think it will make them happy. Others have trouble letting go of memories that are associated with their possessions. Her role is like trying to solve a puzzle, she said. The first step in most organizing projects is to pare down the client's stuff to the essentials. But don't expect the high drama shown on television organizing shows. "I'm not going to make you throw your stuff on the lawn," George said with a smile. "Maybe you're not ready to give it up. That's where the psychology comes in."

After paring down the possessions to a manageable amount, George can help her clients place things where they would logically use them. Only then do they consider buying accessories and organizational tools. "A lot of times people can re-purpose what they have," George said. "Resist the urge to go out and buy a lot of things, because they just become part of the clutter."

George tries to keep her fees manageable, too. She offers a free telephone consultation to determine the size of the job and to estimate its cost. But, she adds, her services are sure to save people money in the end. Organized people don't tend to buy duplicate items, because they know what they have in stock. And they don't waste time searching for things. What's more, in her experience, every client has found lost or forgotten money during the process of clearing out.

As an added bonus, during last month and part of February, George is donating 10 percent of her professional fees, in her clients' names, to the tsunami relief effort.

George knows firsthand how good it feels to be organized. But she also knows the toll that clutter takes on people. She and her husband are in the middle of a lengthy remodeling project in their Lombard house. "I can totally empathize with my clients," she said. "There is no area of peace. If people can have at least one place in their home that is clutter-free, they can have more peace and tranquility in life."

George loves her job because she can help give people a new start. "They can breathe again. It's very satisfying," she said.

George also offers help with corporate organization and efficiency, preparing houses for the real estate market, senior downsizing and move coordination. She also helps people live more simply on the earth by showing them environmentally-friendly solutions.

For details about all of these services, call Linette George at (630) 276-8600 or visit www.getorganizedbygeorge.com.