Q&A with the Experts: Talking Work-Life Balance with Professional Organizer Andrea Hancock

Getting organized--the goal of so many of us (myself included) these days. Andrea Hancock of Dexterous Organizing, who I met at a recent conference, agreed to give Career Savvy readers a few pointers to help them get started in adopting the mindset and practice of organization.  

One of the issues that busy professionals struggle with is work-life balance. What are some first steps in moving toward a better work-life balance or blend?
One of my favorite quotes is by Mahatma Gandhi: "Action expresses priority."  We are most balanced when we identify the most important things that are necessary to make our lives fulfilling. Many people say spending time with family, exercising, or pursuing spiritual enlightenment are priorities in their lives, but when other things come up, how quickly is time for these priorities sacrificed at the altar of work or worst yet, spent on time-wasters?

So one of the first steps to work-life balance is identifying what truly makes you fulfilled and happy and putting those things in your schedule and doing what you can to guard that time.

What are some of the most common issues busy professionals have around getting organized?
The main issues seem to be paper, time management, and clothing.  Many do not realize that time management and paper management are often very much connected.  Most clutter is caused by not making decisions, not having a “home” for things, and not scheduling time to make the decisions and put things in their place. Mail sits on the dining room table until it is unbearable for those very reasons.

In general, what are some common misconceptions around getting organized?
The most common misconception is thinking that you have to be born with "organization" in your DNA and that there is a cookie-cutter approach to getting organized. On the contrary, organization is a skill you can learn, and the process for getting organized can and should be very personal.

Although it might come more easily or naturally for some who seem to have an organizing gene, being organized is very much like losing weight. Some people have to work harder to keep their weight under control for a variety of reasons but the basic principle is to burn more calories than you take in on a consistent basis. The variations to express that principle are just about limitless. The same is with organization. It's a skill set that can be learned and practiced but what works for one person may not work for another.

How important is being better organized at home to a satisfying career life?
Being organized is synonymous with being in control. There are a lot of things we can't control, but because we have so many external demands on our attention and energy these days, having a level of control at home, where we have more control, is important.  There is a book by Marilyn Paul (I haven't read it yet) but part of the title says it all: It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys... A simple statement that speaks volumes.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Being organized is a practice and journey like yoga. It’s important to enjoy the journey and remember that no one is perfect.  Once systems are put in place, it's the day-in-day-out and often small (sometimes boring) daily decisions that make and keep a person organized.  

Thanks, Andrea!

Andrea Hancock, owner and lead organizer at Dexterous Organizing, is a professional organizer and productivity consultant who empowers professionals and business owners to design and maintain organizational systems in their busy lives and bustling home offices. An active member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), she and her team provide hands-on assistance to clients in the Greater Washington, DC Metro area helping them find their organizational mojo through design, de-cluttering, and delegation. Andrea can be reached at andrea@dexterousorganizing.com.

 If you're interested in getting some personalized feedback on organizing your job search, please feel free to contact Phaedra at info@resumesandcareerstrategies.com to learn about her complimentary, no-obligation consultation.