While summer is historically peak season for moving companies – at Smartly Organized we work with clients all year round to create a smooth and easy process. In my opinion, it’s never too early to start planning your upcoming move. Most people find the whole process a difficult one and with good reason. Planning to relocate your family and everything you own, while maintaining some sense of calm and at the same time not forgetting any of the hundreds of details can be a tall order. Moving requires planning and a little organization – that’s where we come in!
Overall Plan
In our years of experience helping families move, we have found that identifying key dates provides the best starting point for the plan. In other words, when do you have to be out of your current place? When do you have access to the new place? These two dates will drive the entire process. Then, we take a look at where we are in relation to these key dates and ask more specific questions: Is there any uncertainty around dates? Any flexibility? Any constraints? Once we start digging into this next level of questions a timeline starts to emerge.
Brain Dump
Once you have some dates you can work backwards to fill in the timeline. We suggest brainstorming a general list of tasks. What do you need to do and what would be nice to do? Do a brain dump of everything – don’t organize or prioritize yet – just get it all on paper. Make sure you include the process of decluttering your possessions. Every move you make is an opportunity to lighten your load and let go of things that no longer serve you and don’t fit your future lifestyle.
Identify Interdependencies
Now let’s look at what logically comes first. What MUST be done before you can do something else? For example, you can’t donate items to charity before finding time to identify what you no longer need or want. Any timeline needs to allow sufficient wiggle room to accomplish all of the tasks without losing your sanity.
Create your Customized Checklist
There are lots of checklists available online that can help you if you get stuck figuring out what to do. But beware! These lists are meant to be helpful but they can also put you over the edge. These checklists often have a timeline starting 12 months before your ideal move date. Imagine finding the perfect checklist only to realize you are already weeks or perhaps months behind according to their schedule. Use these lists to generate ideas and help you brainstorm your list. Leave room between items on your checklist to add in steps that become more apparent during the process.
We see costly mistakes being made when people don’t take the time to plan or seek professional assistance.
Because they don’t understand how someone else could possibly help them they:
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underestimate the amount of time involved to do it right,
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don’t obtain multiple moving quotes because they assume everyone is the same,
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don’t ask the right questions of service providers, and,
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spin their wheels doing it all themselves.
You hire an attorney for your will, a plumber to fix your drain, a doctor to diagnose your illness. Now’s the time to consider a Certified Professional Organizer® and Move Manager to handle your move.
You deserve a smooth and easy move!
