Hiring a design or home staging consultant-really any kind of specialized personal service provider- is kind of a big deal for many people. It’s unfamiliar territory, and a lot of times they don’t know how to start the conversation other than to talk about cost.

And that’s natural….money is always important, and we’re a lot more used to talking about it. But I’m going to suggest

In my field, problem-solving

Personal service providers do more, are more than the noun that is used to describe you, or a generic task. I’ve been in the people-spaces-pretty stuff business my entire career. I know in my cells that delivering happiness is an absolutely heroic task. Having others first let you get close to what’s keeping them from it must come first. Good personal service professionals will tell you they regard this trust as sacred.

My friend and colleague Professional Organizer Jocelyn Kenner wrote on why she hired a professional organizer recently. It resonated to my toes.

‘Between the ears’ is still my answer to ‘what is the hardest space you’ve ever worked on?’.  But it’s especially rarefied territory when you open your brain…your space….and your heart, and trust someone who does what you do, either professionally, or even what you think you’re pretty good at.

Sir/Dr.- William Osler, one of the four founding members of Johns Hopkins Hospital is considered one of the best diagnosticians ever. He said, and did many wise things. Paraphrasing one of his succinct observations (as general policy TRH refrains from the use of “fool” :)) treating yourself is neither wise or effective.

Do you consider yourself to be a smart, able, and accomplished person, yet can’t get out of the weeds on what you yourself know and do best?  Know you’re not alone. Just start a conversation with someone else who does what you do. And if you’re in the people-stuff-space business, I hope it’ll be with TRH!