I knew I really made it when...

9 May 2011

Today I have the distinct honor of being on a panel of veteran organizers (along with Aby Garvey and Tiffany Engler) answering questions about our businesses for the program of today’s monthly NAPO St. Louis meeting.

We were given a list of questions to be prepared to answer and one of them has been tickling my brain ever since I read it. It is:

I knew I really made it when….

First off, it made me wish I kept a journal, because the little triumphs tend to fade in my memory. But a variety of possibilities come to mind. (I’m not sure which one will come out of my mouth if the question is asked of the panel.)

First, I thought of the more obvious stuff:

When I was asked to speak at the Australasian Association of Professional Organizers conference in 2009. (To be more precise, when my proposal to speak was accepted.)

When I became president of NAPO St. Louis

When I was asked to be on the national board of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)

When I earned my CPO-CD® (Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®) from the NSGCD (now ICD), the credential I’m most proud of

When my client had such faith in the help I could give her that she flew me to Hawaii to help her move in to her new home

But then I started reflecting on the smaller moments:

The first time a client told me that our work together changed her life

When a client I hadn’t seen in a two years or more called me for more help (she likes me, she really likes me!)

When I realized I was no longer nervous before a first appointment with a new client

When I could confidently lead a team of skilled, enthusiastic organizers who in a single day or week can make a huge difference for a client—without losing sleep the night before the first team appointment

When people actually signed up for the first teleclass I offered (Declutter Happy Hour, presented with life coach Shannon Wilkinson)

When it stopped bothering me if a prospective client balked at my rates

How about you? When did you know that you’d made it?

Tagged with: success

Comments

Love these affirmation! Each of us needs a list of what we are most proud of!
My list would parallel your’s in so many ways as well.
I am most proud of the connections I have made with respected colleagues in our industry!

Ellen Delap May 9, 2011 05:54 AM

Thanks for your comment, Ellen! I totally agree that the connections I’ve made in our industry with esteemed colleagues (like you!) is something to be very proud of.

Janine Adams May 9, 2011 06:00 AM

Great post and amazing list. You have so much to be proud of! I definitely identify with many of your smaller moments, such as not being nervous before meeting with new clients and creating long term relationships with people who I love working with and who feel I make a difference in their lives. Being a professional organizer constantly brings me a feeling of accomplishment.

Lelah Baker-Rabe May 9, 2011 05:20 PM

Lelah, thank you for your comment! I agree that our profession is chock full of opportunities to have wonderful feelings of accomplishment.

Janine Adams May 10, 2011 05:48 AM

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.

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