Category: Organizing Industry News

Leave it to Los Angeles-based Health Net to present what seems like solid medical evidence that being organized encourages less daily stress, a sense of optimism, less overwhelm, reduced time pressure and a more harmonious home and office environment. Read the article by clicking here.

The study, coordinated by Ian Shaffer, M.D., chief medical officer and staff of MHN, Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary, says the energy needed to clean and dust not only provides a portion of the physical activity we need daily, but provides a "bounty" of other benefits. Shaffer points to three:

Reduced time pressure:

"Among the greatest sources of stress is time pressure, i.e., so much to do, so little time. While being organized doesn't add hours to the day, it does enable you to make the most of the 24 hours in each day. Organized individuals don't waste time wondering what work project is due when, or where a needed item — from an unpaid bill to an uncashed check — might be hiding. The time saved can be spent on any number of stress-busting activities, such as exercising or preparing a healthy meal."

Disorganization makes it hard to see things in their components:

"Failing to see the parts leads to a few of the whole that can be very overwhelming and at times will lead to immobilization and people failing to act and move forward."

No disorganization domino effect:

"As a general rule, disorganization creates a ripple effect, impacting not only the offender, but also those around him or her. If you're disorganized, the fallout can extend to family, friends as well as co-workers, and a tension-filled environment can become the order of the day. Conversely, while organization doesn't guarantee harmony and happiness, it unquestionably helps."

This is probably the most interesting piece of medical evidence we've ever seen in the past few years. Health Net is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. For an organization to provide opinion on the subject validates our work and what many professional organizers around the Globe preach about daily. Bravo Health Net!

Image of cartwheel man at Getty Center Brentwood courtesy DRGANDY on Flickr

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Last year during a trip to the "Main Line" area of suburban Philadelphia, we picked up a copy Arthur Inch's Dinner is Served: An English Butler's Guide to the Art of the Table. Little did we know it would change our life.

A 50-year veteran English butler who served as technical adviser for the film Gosford Park, Inch (alongside co-author Arlene Hirst) writes a loving and formal view of the history and traditions of fine English homes, along with explanations of fine linens, silver, table top design for formal dinner parties and etiquette for serving and dining. While the book's view may not fit precisely into our "modern day California laid-back atmosphere in a recession" current mentality, Inch's book really got us thinking about the world of private service.

International Association for Private Service Professionals:

Shortly thereafter, we were introduced to the International Association for Private Service Professionals (IAPSP) late last year. The IAPSP is a national trade association based in Los Angeles that provides a platform for developing professionalism and leadership skills in the delivery of estate service. The IAPSP draws on the experience and wisdom of its membership to define and preserve the traditional core values and ethics of service excellence, while acknowledging the importance of distinctive skill-sets and embracing new trends in service technology. The IAPSP is filling a gap where little, if any, organized vocational support has previously existed.

David M. Bertnick, IAPSP President, alongside John (left) on the "red carpet" the 2009 Los Angeles Organizing Awards last January.

Organizing and private service are a perfect match. Much of what Estate Managers, Property Managers, Butlers, Personal Assistants, Enlisted Aides, Household Managers, Ranch Managers, Estate Management Couples and other executive-level household staff do on a daily basis is systematize a property to ensure comfort, elegance and time savings. As an Associate Business member of the IAPSP, we've been able to participate in monthly networking and educational events and were honored when David Bertnick, President of the IAPSP accepted our invitation to present the 2009 Los Angeles Organizing Awards in January (see picture above).

IAPSP Inaugural Conference, Dallas, Texas, October 9-11, 2009:

We are particularly excited that IAPSP is holding their inaugural conference in Dallas, October 9-11 at the Fairmont (we'll be there!) The IAPSP’s first annual leadership, educational, and networking conference is designed to promote strength of character, superior management skills and service expertise, some of the essential elements for effective service delivery in the homes of high net worth employers.

We applaud Mr. Bertnick, the volunteers, members and associated businesses who are building such a progressive organization right here in Southern California that will serve not only our area, but the rest of the nation too. If you're attending the conference, I’ll see you in Dallas!

Read More:

The IAPSP Announces its Inaugural Leadership Conference for the Private Service Industry (PRWeb)

Two weeks To Go For IAPSP Conference (PRWeb)

IAPSP (official website)

IAPSP (on Twitter)

The Changing World of the Private Service Industry (Luxist)

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