FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS PRODUCTIVITY CONSULTING?

A professional Productivity Consultant helps people, families, and companies use their time and resources more efficiently and effectively.​ Basically, we are people who excel at managing our own time because we have developed the right systems that work for us. We are knowledgeable about organizational tools, technology, and time & task management systems. We have figured out how to organize our spaces, our desks, our thoughts and have incorporated solid routines and habits to get us where we want to go. And our job as productivity consultants is to transfer those skills to you. 

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DO YOU OFFER A CONSULTATION BEFORE WE GET STARTED?

I offer all potential clients a complimentary 25 minute phone ​consultation. Before our call, I ask for photos of the spaces you are struggling with and send you a short survey to understand you better before we speak. Our consultation time is then maximized and allows me to understand your needs and goals and it gives us both the opportunity to begin to get to know each other. I don't take lightly the trust clients place in me to organize their personal or professional lives. And before you invite me into your home or office, I believe it's important that we begin to form a trusting working relationship.​ Following that consultation, I will put together a summary of your goals or needs and identify the areas in which I can best help you. I will email that to you, along with an estimate of the time we will need to spend together to get you where you want to be.

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WHAT COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS ARE YOU TAKING?

I take COVID-19 and my clients' safety and comfort very seriously. I am fully vaccinated and offer in-person, outdoor and virtual sessions. For in-person work, I keep doors and windows where possible, and wear a face mask according to client preference.​

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HOW DO YOU CHARGE?

Our initial phone consultation is free. Following that, should you choose to work with me, I charge an hourly rate. Working sessions are a minimum of 2 hours. 

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I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GET ORGANIZED.

CAN'T YOU JUST DO IT ALL FOR ME?​

Everyone's needs and style of working are different, so I will work with you to figure out your goals and needs, to gain an understanding of how you work and live, and help you put together a customized, sustainable organization system. If, for example, you feel like you're drowning in paperwork, I can help you with the time-consuming process of going through receipts, papers and documents. I can certainly help you organize and declutter a closet, cabinet, or storage space. But you need to be a part of the process and discussion, so you can keep things organized, long after I have left your home or office.

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I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH FOOD SHOPPING AND COOKING EVERY NIGHT, AND WE END UP ORDERING TAKEOUT MORE OFTEN THAN I WOULD LIKE. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS?

Yes! ​Meal planning is definitely something I can help with. I can meet with you to discuss how your family eats, and take an inventory of your kitchen, tools and favorite recipes. I can help you get organized in the kitchen and design a process that will work for you and your family. I will take the headache out of deciding what to cook for dinner​ and leave you with a system for meal planning, prep and cooking.

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END OF LIFE PLANNING SOUNDS SO MORBID. WHY DO I NEED TO DEAL WITH THAT NOW?​

You never know when something catastrophic will happen to you or a loved one. Getting organized early will help both you and your family get through difficulty much more easily. I can help you gather vital details regarding your financial, health, legal and day-to-day practical matters, so that information is readily accessible when needed. No matter your age, having this information organized could be a valuable gift to you and your loved ones.​

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I LIKE TO KEEP MY PERSONAL AND BUSINESS LIFE PRIVATE, AND I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW DISORGANIZED I AM. HOW DO I KNOW I CAN TRUST YOU?

I am a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and adhere to their Code of Ethics (napo.net/page/about_ethics). My years in the corporate and banking world have made me accustomed to handling sensitive and confidential information. I won’t even reveal you are a client to anyone unless you give explicit permission.

 

WHAT IS EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS?

No one can ever fully prepare for a disaster or emergency. ​But I can help you with the details and steps to prepare for and reduce the negative effects of an emergency or disaster, should it ever occur.

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HOW CAN YOU HELP ME WHEN YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND MY BUSINESS?​

My passion, expertise and knowledge is in productivity and organization. While I strive to understand your unique situation, I don’t need to be versed in the technical aspects and details of your work to help you with personal organizational challenges that are typically the same across industries. If I am not able to help you with something specific, I will definitely let you know.

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I FEEL LIKE I'M ALWAYS WORKING BUT NOT GETTING THINGS DONE. CAN SHERRIEM CONSULTING HELP ME WITH THAT?​

Small business owners and parents never have enough time to get everything done. I can definitely help with time and task management and reviewing your workflows, which can all help increase your productivity. I will analyze your current work habits and help you customize a system and workflow that will fit with how you think and work and, most importantly, be sustainable for you in the long run. I love finding the right personal organizational or planning tool for a client. We can stop that feeling of being on a hamster wheel and not getting anywhere.

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WHAT IF YOU GET ME, MY FAMILY AND/OR MY BUSINESS ORGANIZED BUT I SLIDE BACK INTO MY OLD WAYS?

New processes take time to become habits. Staying organized is an ongoing process. You don't have to work through this all alone. We can arrange for weekly or monthly accountability check-ins to see how you're doing with your new system and tweak it as needed. And, as new challenges or obstacles arise, we can help you with those too. 

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SHOULDN'T I BE ABLE TO DO THIS MYSELF?

We all have different skills and talents. Organizing people is my passion and I have experience with many different tools, systems and tricks that will help you get organized. Lots of people waste time trying to figure this all out for themselves, when it's not their strength. I understand that your time is both short and precious. The investment you make using a professional organizer will give you greater reward than you expect.

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