Nashville Professional Organizer & Coach - SkillSet Coaching & Organizing
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • Home and Business Organizing
    • Speaking
  • The Book
  • Contact
  • Support Group
  • The Blog
  • FAQs

The Stuff Behind The Stuff...                                  
                                    

​

Your Organized Student

6/29/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some of you know I've recently added student organizing to my services, and I thought I would share a little of why and how this idea came onto my radar.

First off - what is it?  Student organizing involves getting to know how a learner works, thinks, and plans most effectively, then implementing a plan that allows them to do and be their best at school.  It combines many areas - physical study space, paperwork, time management, goal setting, supplies, tools, and technology (so many of my favorite things!).  Taking into consideration the atmosphere and interactions of the entire family, a solid student organizing plan teaches skills that not only assist with studies, but carry forward into all areas of life.

Second - why does it fit with SkillSet Organizing?  When I was a young teacher, I was always aware of the classrooms and colleagues that seemed organized and "together" vs. the ones that, well...weren’t.  Students responded to these environments accordingly.  Conversations I've had with teachers since then (especially substitute teachers!) support my observations.  Students need some sort of reliable framework to do their best.  But even the most organized of classrooms can't always customize and accommodate the differences students may have in how they manage their stuff and their time.  A three-ring binder might be perfect for Johnny who likes to take the time to separate papers by subject, but a nightmare for Susie who piles everything together.  Anne may study best in complete quiet, but her younger sister Julie may need to have people or “white noise” in the background.  That’s where I come in.  I have the background, tools and resources to assess a student’s learning/thinking styles, organizing habits (or lack thereof), and natural tendencies, so that we can come up with a system together that helps them do their best.  Plus, I’m a mom - I’m living this situation myself.  Our kids couldn’t be any more different in terms of how they approach organization, so I see firsthand the need to customize their systems and teach them the skills for keeping everything under control.

Third - why is it important?  We know that schools, teachers and students all face a variety of pressures and challenges.  It’s tough to find the time to come up with differentiated organizing and time management skills during the regular school day.  Many households have shifted to a more digital life - including their clocks and calendars - making awareness of schedules and time more elusive for many kids.  Most also juggle a variety of activities, homework (that still includes TONS of paper), and technology, and rely on parents to keep the trains running on time.  However, once a student graduates and heads off to college, the ability to effectively deal with their stuff, schedule, finances and personal time becomes critical.  If they haven’t learned how to create their own practical organizing structures, the new freedoms can turn into a nightmare of missed classes and late assignments.  Giving a student the tools to organize well for themselves empowers them, and builds confidence - no matter what their age.  

I’m currently booking assessments in August, so if this service sounds like a good fit for your family please contact me soon.  I’d love to help guide your student on the path to organizing success.

0 Comments

What's It Like:  The Interview, Part II

6/17/2015

0 Comments

 
PictureGoodwill to the rescue! For certain Middle Tennessee zip codes you can schedule a home pickup for large or bulky loads. Visit http://giveit2goodwill.org/pickups/
(Side note:  Amanda had a lot to conquer.  We worked steadily for several sessions, and she was totally dedicated to the process.  We even contacted Goodwill to come do a huge pickup (this in addition to my taking at least 3 van-loads of items myself).  She was able to sell many items, and trips to the trash can were numerous.   By the time our sessions were completed, we could both see the potential in the newly cleared out space.  She told me several times that she felt like she was getting rid of the old Amanda, and ushering in a new chapter of her life.)

S:  OK, be honest - were you pleased with the overall results?  Would you hire a professional organizer again if the need arose?

A:  I was more than pleased with the overall result. There were a couple of sessions where it was mentally and sometimes emotionally exhausting, but you encouraged me to take breaks and regroup. I feel like you taught me so much about what to keep and how to more effectively organize what was in the basement. I didn’t just invest in a personal organizer, I think I invested in a new friend, someone I know I can go to for some quick advice or maybe a future resource. You showed compassion and were so patient with me because of my circumstances and for that I will be forever grateful!


In our last episode, Amanda was considering hiring me to help with de-cluttering and organizing her basement.  We had just gotten to the point where she called me to get more information.  Did Amanda take the plunge and bring me on board?  What happened next?  Did she get that basement cleared out?  We join our heroine as she waits for my arrival at our first appointment...

S:  How did you feel immediately prior to me arriving for our first meeting (nervous, excited, embarrassed, etc.)?

A:  I was excited. I remember you told me not to try and make things look “presentable”. I left everything like it was and knew we would conquer it all together.

S:  I think that is a common feeling, although others may feel varying degrees of anxiety...or even shame.  And it was important for me as an organizer to see how things were in their normal "un-presentable" state, so that I could really understand what you were dealing with.  Hiding or changing the clutter is like trying to not cough or sneeze when you go to see the doctor.

Was the first organizing session different from what you had expected?  If so, how?


A:  No, not really. I knew we had a lot of work to accomplish. I was excited about getting through the tools and all that “man” stuff that I had no clue how to sort or organize.

And I am grateful to Amanda, for being willing to open up and share her experience with you.  If you're on the fence about whether or not to seek assistance for an overwhelming project, I hope her words might encourage you to feel less embarrassment and more hope.  Reaching out for help could be just the thing you need.
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    Author

    Sara Skillen - Certified Professional Organizer®, Certified Organizer Coach®, wife, mom, dog-lover, author.  Learning to trust my intuition more every day. Shall we work together?

    Schedule

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Best Squarespace Website Designers
    Picture
Picture
Content copyright 2013-2021, SkillSet Coaching & Organizing.  All rights reserved.  SkillSet Coaching & Organizing is a division of SkillSet Enterprises, LLC. Photos of Sara by Mary Rice Photography.
Picture
Home
About
FAQ
Services
Home and Business
Coaching

Speaking
​
The Book
Contact
Support Group
Blog

615-428-3816 
sara@skillsetorganizing.com
1550 W. McEwen Drive, Suite 300, #49
Franklin, TN 37067

Picture
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • Home and Business Organizing
    • Speaking
  • The Book
  • Contact
  • Support Group
  • The Blog
  • FAQs