I LOVE making order out of chaos. Whether it is simplifying family routines, implementing filing systems or clearing kitchen pantries, I get a rush out of organizing clutter. I even enjoy organizing OTHER PEOPLE’S clutter, which is how I stumbled upon my career as a Professional Organizer and owner of Virtually Organized by Debbie LLC.

Many people shutter at the idea of working with a Professional Organizer, convinced I will judge their mountainous piles of papers, bully them into throwing away their prized mementoes, and demand perfection at every turn. While this makes for great home makeover television, the reality of working with a Professional Organizer is a different story.

Nevertheless, I have to be honest. While I may not expect perfection from you as your Organizer, I am indeed a recovering perfectionist.

Now, before you hit your keyboard’s back button and run screaming, “I told you so,” let me emphasize the word “recovering.” Perfectionism may be a characteristic of my past, however, throughout my recovery, I have learned the virtue of simplicity; and it is simplicity that I stress with my clients, and now with you.

Like most ambitious professionals, I used to hold myself up to a ridiculously higher standard than I expected from anyone else. After my oldest daughter was born, I was determined to be the “perfect” example of a working Mom. I’d have a place for everything, and everything in its place, despite kids, pets, hectic schedules, and a generally full and busy life! I had thrived on organization in my work-world, and I wanted to apply that to my new career as a telecommuting Mom. Unfortunately, I only found myself overwhelmed, under-organized, and pretty darn cranky.

Then one day I had an epiphany.

Actually, I had breast cancer, at the “young” age of 35.

Suddenly life was not so perfect, and as a result, my perspective slowly changed. I still strive for organization, but perfection is no longer the goal. Now I aim for simplicity; saving time on the daily grind of keeping a household and business together so there is more time to spend on things I enjoy. (I even wrote a post on doing more with less by becoming an imperfectionist.)

To quote an over-used cliche, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”  Organizing your life, household and business will not be accomplished that quickly either.  You may have several organizing projects you desperately want to complete, but don’t overwhelm yourself and try to tackle them all at once. Instead, prioritize, but don’t give yourself a deadline. Ultimately soccer practices, marketing projects, sleepovers, and board meetings will get in the way and you’ll be back to feeling less than perfect for missed deadlines.

 True organizing systems must evolve. So try the ideas I suggest here at Virtually Organized, adapt them to your own life, but don’t be afraid to modify.  Eventually your systems will be complete, your household and business will run more efficiently, and your life will be simplified.  That may be a far cry from perfect, but that’s OK! We’ll save perfection for the television shows!

Simply yours,

Debbie

Related posts:

1. Are You a Perfect Procrastinator?
2. Low Self-Esteem and Perfectionism: Laura’s Story
3. Book Excerpt and Giveaway from Buttoned Up
4. Want to Do More With Less? Become an “Imperfectionist”
5. Bye-bye Procrastination: An Experiment with Accountability Partners