What Are Resources for Change?
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 7:51AM 
There’s a restlessness and impatience I’ve been noticing. People (at least on the east coast) are ready for winter to morph into spring. We’ve had record snowfall and temperatures. We’re poised and ready for change. This month our conversations have focused around change. We’ve looked at how we view change and the value of making small changes. As we continue the topic, let’s think about resources we can access to help us facilitate change.
What are resources for change?
Professional Organizers
Is simplifying life and getting organized one of your goals? Have you tried making changes on your own, but felt frustrated and unsuccessful in your self-help attempts? This is a good opportunity to reach out to a professional organizer. They can be an invaluable resource for lasting change. To learn more about my professional organizing services visit ohsoorganized.com. To find an organizer near you, use the search features from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) or the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
Other Professionals
Often when we desire change, we get stuck because we get confused or lack information. Enlisting support from other professionals can make all the difference in moving forward. Other than professional organizers, which professionals could help? Professionals include accountants, lawyers, social workers, therapists, geriatric social workers, insurance brokers, coaches, doctors, nutritionists, personal trainers, clergy, architects, interior designers, contractors, and educators. Who will be on your team? Which resources do you already have to help make the changes you seek? Which resources will you add to your team?
Family, Friends and Colleagues
Never underestimate the value of your circle when it comes to navigating change. Where would we be without our close friends, family and colleagues? Everyone needs their people to bounce ideas on, complain to, and celebrate with. Who are the people in your close circle? Who are the ones that support you emotionally as you struggle with the changes you seek? Keep them close. Nurture those relationships. Be available to reciprocate.
There are other resources for change. What have you found useful? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!
Linda Samuels, CPO-CD
® is a compassionate, enthusiastic professional organizer, coach, author & blogger who facilitates change in others' lives. A recent empty-nester, she lives with her husband in a small, colorful home with a purple front door.
Reader Comments (10)
Just the other day a very close friend of mine played devil's advocate with me. This friend knows about some changes I'm on the verge of making in my life - major changes. Instead of encouraging me and agreeing with my thoughts, my friend asked questions which prompted me to verbalize my reasons for wanting to make this change. At first this questioning upset me but then I realized my friend was giving me a gift. Verbalizing my reasons out loud to my friend made me realize the strength of my conviction.
Diane- What an amazing friend you have! I don't know what changes you're considering, but whatever they are, I wish you all the best as navigate this next phase.
Enlisting a professional holds you accountable to make the change. You've invested time and money, so you are more likely to carry through. For those of us who are a bit on the compulsive side, never underestimate the power of a "to do" list. The thrill of checking off those boxes can be a great motivator:)
Other people are good resources for change, but the most important piece in change are ourselves, so we need to try some introspection and make questions about the changes we want to attempt, and find the inner reason why we are in need of changing and fully understand it.
About weather, yesterday we had to use the air conditioned in the office was a very hot day; so I think in Guadalajara, spring is now with us.
Sometimes changes are forced upon us by circumstance, you are not looking for change but it finds you anyway.That is when you really need family and friends, a good support system in place.
So sometimes, planning is a way of preparing for unseen changes.
Wonderful "hearing" all your voices. Thank you for stopping by to join the conversation!
@Seana- Ahhh. The accountability piece is so useful, isn't it? Hiring a professional gives us that added incentive of time and money invested while also building in accountability.
@Nacho- Lovely how your bring the "inner" resource to the table. That is absolutely an essential part of change.
Hard to imagine the need for a/c right now, but I know that VERY soon it will be our turn. Enjoy the heat!
@Jill- Building that "support system" is so important. Family and friends are great to help us through the unexpected changes (welcome and not so welcome ones.)
Having a good support team in place is very important, and I'm grateful for my colleagues in the Golden Horseshoe Virtual Assistants Group, especially my accountability partner. However, sometimes we become too comfortable in our relationships and need to take things up a notch. I recently joined a short-term group coaching program to help me stay on track with some of the changes I need to make in my business, and I'm finding it very helpful. As Seana mentioned, because I've invested money in the program, I'm committed to completing my tasks, and it's also given me access to some different people than my usual circle - a fresh perspective is always good!
Janet - I love that, it really is easy to become comfortable with the status quo.
After struggling to get a grip on "too many moving parts" I decided to ask for help, so for about 2-3 months now I have been working with a life coach and it has been a tremendous gift to my soul. It amazed me that, being a "helper" and care-giver, I had not sought for ongoing help and support before. A true gift to myself and one much needed!
Wonderful to have you join us!
@Janet- Love how you're building your support resources to widen the circle, get new feedback, and stir things up. Great modeling for the rest of us too.
@Jill- Status quo is comfortable, isn't it? Nothing wrong with comfort, but sometimes we need to push ourselves to move beyond where we are.
@Helena- Congratulations to you for adding a life coach to your resources for change. I can understand why you call your coach a "gift." As the one always helping others, it's quite something to have someone focus exclusively on your needs. Just wonderful!