Anyone can advertise their services as an organizing consultant or a coach. Neither field is regulated, so it’s important to check credentials before you hire.
Many people call themselves coaches these days, and yet a large percentage of them have had no coach training whatsoever. Much of the “coaching” being offered is really consulting…and there is a difference between the two.
Legitimate credentialing organizations, such as the International Coach Federation (ICF), evaluate training programs to ensure that specific standards of ethics and competency are adhered to in all training programs that have been accredited.
When I began my course work with the Academy for Coach Training (ACT) in 1997, coaching was such a new field that there were only three training schools that were accredited by the ICF, and ACT was one of them. Now there are many more…and there are also a number of coaching schools that are not accredited to train and certify coaches. If you want to work with a coach who has received solid training, be sure you hire a certified coach who has graduated from an ICF-accredited program.
Things to check out before you decide to hire an organizing consultant/coach:
- Look on their website for testimonials from happy clients they’ve worked with.
- Ask for a recent reference or two that you can speak with to verify the quality of the services being offered.
- Ask about where they received their training and if they have certifications in their field of expertise. What makes this individual qualified to offer the specific services that you are considering hiring them for?
- Note that many organizing/productivity consultants specialize, and some have received additional training and certifications for their specialties. For example, there are consultants who specialize in organizing garages, kitchens, closets, private offices, corporate offices, and more. There are consultants who have received additional training to work with specific populations such as the chronically disorganized, hoarders, or individuals who have ADHD. You can pinpoint your organizing and productivity needs with a free assessment here.
- Ask how long the consultant/coach has been working virtually and if he/she has received coach training. A lot of coaching takes place during virtual sessions, so working with a certified coach is recommended. To learn more about the benefits of working with a virtual organizing consultant/coach, click here.
- Most coaches offer a complimentary call so you can experience their working style and determine if they’re a good fit for your needs. In addition to checking references, listen to what your intuition is telling you.
My consulting specialty is helping people organize their private or home office, and I have received special training as a Paper Tiger Expert, offering assistance so you can find anything you file or store in 5 seconds or less. I also specialize in helping people with time (priority) management. I have received training through the Covey Leadership Center and I am also a Certified Jack Canfield Success Principles Trainer. I invite you to participate in my free webinar, Managing Priorities.
As a coach, I work to help you identify the “why” of your life, and then help you couple that with the “how” to create systems and structures to support that “why.” Yes, it’s organizing – but it’s much more than teaching you how to clean up your desk. We’ll design a blueprint that helps you live a purposeful and productive life.
My greatest joy is to give others the internal and external tools to organize their entire life–so their environment and lifestyle reflect their values and passions.
If you’d like to explore the possibility of working with a seasoned virtual organizing consultant and certified coach, let’s schedule a no-cost, no-pressure Discovery Call today.
