Why This Office Didn’t Need Reorganizing
If you’ve ever walked into a space that used to feel calm and thought, “How did this get messy again?”—I want you to know that moment is more common than you think. It doesn’t mean the system failed. And it certainly doesn’t mean you failed. Often, it simply means life changed… and the systems need a little support to catch up.
That’s exactly what happened during a visit I had this morning—a really good reminder of how powerful organizing can be when we allow ourselves to delegate.
A client I’ve worked with before reached out and said, “I’ve got some piles in my office. Can you come do another session?” We had organized his office two years ago, and when I arrived, I could see right away that the systems we’d put in place were still working beautifully. He had been maintaining them. They fit how he works, which is why they lasted. We had taken the time to customize everything so it would be sustainable—and it was.
But something new had entered the picture.
Over the past two years, his company had added new services, and with that came an entirely new category of paperwork. Envelopes were piling up. Documents were unopened. Not because he didn’t care—but because administrative and clerical tasks just aren’t his strength. He looked at me and said, very honestly, “This doesn’t work. I don’t know what to do.”
And that moment—that pause—is where the real organizing work happens.
As we talked it through, I noticed something familiar. The paperwork looked a lot like tasks we had already delegated to a team member years ago. So I gently asked, “Is she still with you?” She was. Then I asked another question: “Could you add maybe 30 minutes a week to her schedule to handle this?” He nodded, slowly, and said, “Yeah… I think you’re right.” Then came the hesitation. “I don’t know if she’d be willing.”
So I said, “Why don’t you give her a call and ask?” And I waited. Because knowing this client—and how much he already carries—this was not something I needed to add to his mental load.
He made the call. She said yes.
Just like that, the piles had a future. The overwhelm softened. The office felt lighter again—not because we moved a lot of paper, but because the responsibility landed where it truly belonged. Delegating wasn’t giving something up. It was choosing support.
This is such a good reminder: organizing isn’t always about doing more yourself. Sometimes it’s about recognizing what doesn’t need to be on your plate at all. When tasks align with the right person, systems work better—and people feel better. And that matters.
Every organized space tells a story about care. Care for your time. Care for your energy. Care for your happiness. And yes—this client deserves to be happy. We all do.
Pinky Jackson is a Decluttering Specialist and Home Organizing Expert. If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Pinky and her team would love to help you. Onsite Organizing services are available in the Louisville, KY area and Virtual Organizing services are offered for clients in other locations and for those who prefer to work online. Visit pinkyjackson.com to learn about our services and schedule a free assessment.
Photo: Deliberate Directions @deliberatedirections
