Sound Goals, Space Goals

It used to feel a bit odd telling people that I work as a professional violinist…and also a professional organizer. But over the past few years I’ve realized there are some unexpected similarities between helping someone learn to play a musical instrument, and helping them declutter and organize their space. It makes a lot more sense to me now why I love doing both.

As a violin teacher, I help my students learn to organize the equipment of their mind, body and instrument to produce the sound and musical goals they envision and want to achieve.

As a professional organizer, I help my clients learn to organize the equipment of their physical space and belongings to support the life they envision and want to live.

Both require a clear plan, breaking things down into small manageable steps, patience, tenacity and an ability to practically support and encourage on a journey that at first may seem impossible. Both happen in everyday life — in time, in motion.

Another good way to describe how I work with organizing clients, is like a personal trainer. I can create and guide them through a clear workout plan, provide an assist or make a modification, and do the workout alongside them, but I literally can’t do the squats for them — if they want to experience benefit! If I showed up at someone’s house and practiced their violin for a few hours, they might hear some interesting sounds, but their violin skills would not improve. The client experiencing the whole decluttering and organizing process, is what creates the real and lasting change, of mindset and behavior.

And that is really exciting to be part of.