What is an organizational coach?
I am a credentialed coach who specializes in helping people get organized and get things done. I also specialize in helping people better understand how they think, learn and work at their best, since that will greatly enhance their efforts to be more organized.
Common coaching topics
ADHD
Even if you know you have ADHD, you may not be fully aware how it impacts you. It shows up differently for each person. In addition to focus, impulse control and activity, ADHD can impact your perceptions, emotions and mindset. Better understanding yourself and your ADHD-influenced processing style will allow you to think, feel and act in new ways so you can make progress toward your goals.
Organization skills
Although skills alone are not enough, they are still important. The issue is not just learning them, but adapting them to your processing style.
Key skills:
- Using a calendar
- Planning and prioritizing
- Tracking time
- Tracking responsibilities, projects and tasks
- Managing possessions
- Managing digital information and communication
Coaching provides a safe space to experiment and practice as you build proficiency in these foundational processes.
Procrastination
You may know what you want to be doing, but you’re not getting started or not following through. This happens for a myriad of reasons that have nothing to do with laziness or lack of motivation.
Through coaching you will better understand what’s happening, learn practical skills and develop new perspectives for managing whatever is getting in the way.
Overwhelm and self-doubt
Being more organized does not mean you won’t ever feel overwhelmed or unsure of yourself. Your brain is primed to feel those things, but those feelings don’t have to stop you. You can learn how to recognize what is happening and gain the skills to move past these debilitating feelings.
Once you develop some confidence in your ability to get on with things, those feelings lose their grip on you. They become a temporary annoyance instead of major obstacle.
Structure
If you have a hard time focusing on the right thing at the right time, you may have noticed you do much better with some structure. Things like deadlines, regular appointments, commutes and working alongside others offer structure. Many people don’t have this structure and it’s challenging to create on their own. It’s not about having rigid routines. It’s about identifying the anchors and boundaries that keep you grounded and on track.
Coaching provides its own structure and also gives us the opportunity to create additional structure to fit your needs.
Accountability
Accountability is a cornerstone of coaching. Stating your intentions out loud, to another person, boosts motivation and follow through. Providing an account of your actions, and reflecting on them with curiosity and compassion, promotes growth and learning. This is truly what coaching is all about.
Self-care
Poor nutrition, lack of sleep and other self-care deficiencies can derail the best of intentions. Small, incremental changes to improve self-care yield huge benefits to keep you at your best and increase the likelihood of meeting your organizational and productivity goals.
Personal strengths
Sustainable change comes when you understand what you do well and what inspires you. These strengths energize you and activate the parts of your brain that will propel you forward.
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My coaching evolves from inquiry into these areas
Habits, Routines and Systems
- What are the habits that help you get things done?
- How can we make your systems more user-friendly?
- What beliefs and perspectives influence your current way of doing things?
Everybody is already using systems and routines, whether they know it or not. Conventional systems often don’t work for people with ADHD or other neurodivergent processing styles. We’ll take a close look at what’s happening for you, and then modify or supplement your systems so they fit better with the unique way your brain works.
Self-regulation
- How aware are you of your own actions, thoughts and feelings?
- How do you act on your intentions?
- What prevents you from acting on your intentions?
ADHD affects self-regulation. We’ll figure out how you can work with it instead of against it. Self-awareness is the first step. You will learn how to monitor yourself, understand your unique processing style, and implement specific strategies so you can adjust your actions to follow through with your intentions more easily, and communicate with others more effectively.
Self-care
Are you getting sufficient sleep, nutrition, movement, socialization, stimulation and rejuvenation to fuel your brain and body?
You can only do your best. And your best will change from day to day. But your best is always better, when you are practicing good self-care. I won’t ask you to make dramatic lifestyle changes, but if we notice that poor self-care is negatively affecting your ability to meet coaching goals, we will look for nonthreatening ways to improve the situation.
Common questions or concerns
Do you do an initial assessment?
We have a phone consultation, and if we choose to work together, I will ask you to complete an intake form. This will give me some background information about you, as well as help me understand what you want to get out of coaching. All the questions are optional.
Occasionally, I might suggest a client do a free online assessment, like the Via Character Survey. Otherwise, I don’t routinely do any standardized assessments. In my experience, the strengths, core beliefs and values that are revealed as we work together are generally more accurate than what a standardized assessment might show.
Is it confidential?
I will not share the fact that you are a client with anyone unless you give me explicit permission. I will not discuss any specifics of your situation in any way that might identify you. If I become aware of confidential or proprietary information in your home or workplace, I will not share it with anyone. I will not ask any questions or request to see any areas of your home or workplace that aren’t relevant to our work together.
Having said all that, I am a registered nurse, which means I am a mandated reporter. If I see evidence of child or elder abuse or neglect, I am legally required to report it. I will also contact 911 or other crisis intervention specialists if I see or hear evidence that you have a plan to harm yourself or others.
Can we use screen sharing so you can see my calendars, lists or other documents?
Yes, you can share anything you like with me.
Can we do hands-on organizing work?
I am only offering remote coaching services, either via phone or video-conference. During a remote coaching appointment, I can support you while you take care of hands-on tasks, if you like.
Please check out www.napo.net for professional organizers who offer on-site, hands-on services.
Do you guarantee results?
No. There are just too many variables out of my control to guarantee results. Coaching is a collaborative process, and we’ll figure out how to work together effectively as we go. It’s important you communicate with me if you feel you’re not getting value. Likewise, it’s important that I communicate with you if I don’t observe that you’re benefitting. If you believe I’m not fulfilling my role effectively, and we’re not able to resolve the situation to your satisfaction, I will refund the payment for our most recent session, along with any prepayments you have made for future sessions.