On being an order catalyst
One of the roles I frequently fill for my clients is what I like to call an “order catalyst.” They often find that they simply can’t do organizing tasks on their own. But when I’m there, sitting quietly, they can go about getting their organizing work accomplished, be it decluttering, sorting, or going through their task list.
I’m not the only one who does this. It’s something that many professional organizers (or even friends) do. In the study of chronic disorganization, the term used for this is body doubling. I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of that term. I don’t think it is very descriptive and I don’t think it conveys the real benefit of the work. That’s why I coined the term order catalyst.
It looks like an easy job. I’m with the client, sitting companionably, sometimes handing her items or working on a small task that will help achieve her goals. If an outside person were to come in, he or she might wonder how I was earning my fee.
But it’s not as easy as it looks. Once I recognize that this will be the purpose of the session (it’s rare that we schedule one of these sessions in advance), I must refrain from offering unsolicited advice. I resist the temptation to chat to fill the silence. I have to sit still, staying in one place (that alone is hard for certain people), so I’m not a distraction.
And I also have to turn off my inner critic who worries that the client might think I’m not doing anything or she’s not getting her money’s worth. I know that I’m offering a truly valuable service; I just sometimes worry that the client won’t recognize it. It’s not a particularly reasonable worry. The client happily hands over payment, sometimes adding, “I couldn’t do it without you.”
I love serving as an order catalyst. Sometimes it feels a little like I have a super power.
If you have difficulty getting organizing tasks done, despite your best intentions, you might consider enlisting the aid of an order catalyst. Hire a professional organizer. Or if that isn’t feasible, enlist the aid of a supportive, calm friend. Perhaps you’ll be able to return the favor. It can be amazingly powerful!
Tagged with: body doubling, focus, order catalyst, social organizing
Comments
I don’t know, Julie, I wish I could tell you my secret, but I don’t think I have one! Maybe we’re just wired differently. <g> I think your method of having clients talk out loud with you actively listening is a great adaptation!
Somehow it does my heart good to know I’m not the only one with the inner critic. Thanks (as always) for your comment!
Janine Adams August 10, 2012 01:39 PM
As someone who thrives with this kind of organizing help and gets quickly overwhelmed by someone else doing things or asking me too many questions, I’m thrilled you work this way Janine!
It’s hard for me to understand, much less explain, but having someone just in the same room with me, being quietly supportive and available just in case I need them, is inordinately valuable.
I think it might be why I like co-working so much too.
Shannon Wilkinson August 10, 2012 02:41 PM
Thanks for your comment and validation, Shannon!
Janine Adams August 10, 2012 03:36 PM
About Janine
Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.
I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.
If you’re ready to declutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.
read more »Links
- NAPO St. Louis
- National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals
- Institute for Challenging Disorganization
- Are you interested in becoming a professional organizer?
- Ravelry
- Organize Your Family History
- Metropolitan Organizing
- Shannon Wilkinson, life coach
- Getting to Good Enough podcast
Oh, goodness, DO tell how you turn off your inner critic? I’m fine with being the catalyst for order as long as I’m also filing, entering data, preparing checks for the client to sign, sorting paperwork, etc., but I’m fairly uncomfortable with the apparent passivity of the role. I encourage clients to “talk to themselves” aloud, to give them practice at asking themselves the same kinds of “Tell me about this piece of paper? What does it require of you? What’s the level of urgency?” types of questions that I’d ask them, and then I can participate with active listening. But stillness and silence? Tell me your secrets! ;-)
Julie Bestry August 8, 2012 11:18 AM