IN THE NEWS
If you are a professional organizer or small business owner, you will not want to miss this interview with Judith Kolberg, a pioneer and thought leader in the professional organizing industry world-wide. You will be inspired by her story and may learn something too. Professional organizers - and their clients - have benefitted from Judith's teaching and books on chronic disorganization, hoarding behavior, and Attention Deficit Disorder as it relates to organizing. New organizers especially need to know how to recognize these challenging clients.
NEW MEETING LOCATION:
ST. MARTIN IN THE FlELDS
3110 ASHFORD DUNWOODY RD
BROOKHAVEN,GA 30319
5:30-6:15: Round Table:
Members only- Real World Cyber Attack Account
6:15-6:30 dinner & networking
6:30- Chapter Meeting and Guest Speaker
NAPO GA Chapter Meeting - Speaker Judith Kolberg Industry Thought Leader & Author. September 8, 2026
The second edition of Emotional Labor: Why A Woman's Work is Never Done and What To Do About It is officially out. You know I've spent years helping people deal with their stuff. But “the stuff is rarely just about the stuff” as author, Regina Lark says. I could not agree more. That is why I collaborated with her on the book.
Someone is noticing what needs to be done, remembering it, planning for it, and making sure it happens. And far too often, that someone is a woman. That's why this conversation about emotional labor is so important. When work is invisible, it's very difficult to talk about who is doing it, how much of it they're carrying, and how we begin to share it more fairly. Emotional Labor is about recognizing work that has gone unnamed and undervalued for generations. I’m so glad to be a part of a conversation to engage and change that.
You can order the book direct from me via an email request to judith@judithkolberg.com. Its $24.00 plus $6.00 s/h payable via Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. Or order from Amazon, and thanks in advance for your order! – Judith Kolberg, Organizing Industry Thought Leader
The work that no one sees is still work. Emotional Labor - Why A Woman’s Work is Never Done and What To Do About It - 2nd Edition NOW AVAILABLE
Mississauga, Ontario for the Institute for Challenging Disorganization's Annual Conference,
Dr. Regina F. Lark, a specialist in neurodiversity and productivity, highlights the invisible and cumulative burden of emotional labor in neurodiverse households. She emphasizes that this load often intensifies over a lifetime, eventually requiring individuals to manage the needs of their own household, their children, and aging parents simultaneously.
In September 2026, Dr. Lark will co-present at the Institute for Challenging Disorganization’s annual conference in Mississauga, Ontario. Her session, "The Art of the Invisible," will provide practical strategies for families and professionals to identify, balance, and integrate emotional labor to prevent burnout.
Lifers : How I Organize Clients I’ve Had For Decades
If you don’t have them now, you will! A handful of clients with recalcitrant chronic disorganization, rolling organizational plights, and ever-changing projects. I have three such clients I call ‘Lifers’. You’ll learn what I do to improve their quality of life and enhance their organizational success, without driving yourself crazy! It’s a funny talk about these special clients with an opportunity to share your tips too. You’ll learn about ethical dependency, a new take on ‘maintenance’ organizing, decision making techniques, and using the opportunity of ‘lifers’ for income stabilization and ongoing study/learning.
For more information contact:
Geri Chark Frankel, 856-296-6605, geri@gcforganizing.com
The Chronic Disorganization Tapestry: How to Thrive Despite Organizing Challenges - by Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Are you tired of disappointing others because you missed something important? Is the idea of organizing time and space overwhelming? Does the inability to maintain organization lead to frustration?
The Chronic Disorganization Tapestry is an easy-to-implement guidebook that lets anyone recognize and address the frustration of disorganization. Bursting with insights from established experts, it explores factors that contribute to chronic disorganization and pairs them with simple, evidence-based solutions.
In The Chronic Disorganization Tapestry, you’ll discover:
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Case studies provided in story fashion that prove you’re not alone and you can succeed
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Carefully structured chapters that help neurodivergent minds process details faster
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Tips and techniques to make having an orderly routine possible
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The satisfaction of transforming old patterns into new problem-solving abilities and,
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sustainable organization.
OUTrageous Voices - 2026 Fall Writers’ Retreat
Thursday–Sunday, Oct. 22–25
Registration is open: Aug 15th to Oct. 1st
Location: Near Atlanta; details provided with registration.
OUTrageous Voices is an inclusive lesbian writers' retreat welcoming self-identified lesbians, bisexual women, trans, and nonbinary folks.
What to expect: Fun and inspiring workshops, quiet writing time, opportunities to read your work and hear amazing poetry and prose. Come find your tribe!
Swag alert! If we receive your payment by September 5th, you'll be entered in a drawing for OV swag.
For more information or to register, go to outrageousvoices.com
5 Decluttering Books to Bring Order to Chaos
We asked professional organizers to share their favorites.
Tyler Moore was two days into a mental health leave when inspiration struck. He and his wife, Emily, were crammed into a small apartment with two young children; the 38-year-old educator was craving order.
He asked his wife if they could rearrange the apartment, swapping bedrooms with their children. Mrs. Moore liked the idea but begged him to hold off. When she went out with the kids, however, he started “imploding” their home, he said. (READ MORE)
The Consequences of Clutter
How hoarding disorder affects America’s older adults, first responders, and their communities
The Consequences of Clutter is a report issued by the Senate Special Committee on Aging. The committee has investigated hoarding disorder and its impact on older Americans. It includes an overview of the disorder and factors that give rise to it. It also examines Adult Protective Services data for trends in how hoarding behavior affects older Americans. It examines the challenges posed to entire communities including first responders and local governments. The report reviews the federal response taken by select agencies. Finally, the report ends with recommendations to help the federal government better assist older adults and communities affected by hoarding disorder. Judith Kolberg and other members of the National Association of Productivity and Professional Organizers and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization were consulted for the report.
There’s No Such Thing as ‘Women’s Work’
JUSTICE & LAW MONEY & JOBS NATIONAL
8/31/2023 by REGINA LARK
Judith collaborated with Dr. Regina Lark on Emotional Labor: Why a Woman’s Work is Never Done and What to do About It and contributed the section on Radical Delegation. Here is the full article in Ms. Magazine
Perfect Is Pointless: 16 Organization Rules You Can Follow
Counterintuitive as it sounds, many ADHD organization challenges stem from perfectionism — the common, learned belief that things must be done impeccably. It’s an impossible standard that leaves many of us with cluttered homes, out-of-control finances, and exhausting schedules. These 16 organization rules can help change the tide.
Ellen Delap CPO asks - "Are you paralyzed by perfectionism?" Check out these tips from Judith Kolberg to move forward!
Judith Kolberg, one of my first guests, was a crucial contribution to my latest book, Emotional Labor. Judith is an industry thought-leader whose skills in writing, editing, and listening were essential in bringing this book to life. Her sense of humor added an enjoyable element to our collaboration, and her insights and expertise enriched the content of the book.
In our podcast conversation, Judith and I discussed various topics related to emotional labor, including executive function skills, sequencing, and self-care. Her depth of experience and innovative organizing methods were also highlighted. As the founder of FileHeads Professional Organizers, Judith has made significant contributions to the field of professional organizing, launching an entire industry dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals challenged by chronic disorganization. Her writing has been instrumental in educating people on the topic, with four commercially successful books to her name.
I'm excited to announce that The Emotional Labor Podcast has officially launched! - Dr. Regina F. Lark
Jordan McMahon is a writer at the Strategist who covers a wide array of gadgets and how software can help build better relationships with technology in our lives.
Since my ADHD diagnosis at age 12, I’ve spent a good deal of my time trying countless methods of combating the forgetfulness and scattered-mindedness that ADHD has hurled into my life. I’ve missed important deadlines that can inconvenience my colleagues, forgotten good ideas and important appointments, lost focus during conversations I’m genuinely interested in, and been sidetracked from things I should really be focusing on.
Through 20 Years of Coping With ADHD, Here’s What I’ve Found to Help - By Jordan McMahon
It is so clear to most of us that certain items go together that we almost automatically categorize all the time: clothing goes in a bedroom or closet, salad bowls and forks in the kitchen, and nails with the hammer somewhere near other hardware. But here’s the thing. Some people seem not to have gotten the category-gene. In their home clothing could be anywhere, you might find a fork in the bathroom, a box of nails can turn up in the kitchen; books, toys, flashlights, stationary supplies – they are all a hodge-podge. What’s up? Some of us categorize differently than others. In this webinar you’ll hear interesting and funny stories of hodge-podgers. You’ll gain insight into the 4 reasons this occurs. And then you’ll learn the innovative ways even the worst hodge-podger can have an organized home.
Jan 18, 2023 - Maxsold Presents Webinar with Judith Kolberg, Ask an expert: Hodge-Podge: The Trouble with Categories
I was recently asked to write an article for Independent magazine, the journal of the Independent Book Publishers Association [See Article] which prompted me to reflect on my career. I recommend it highly, this reflecting on one’s career. For me, it reminded me of my entrepreneurial roots. And it’s a good thing, too because I have not been clever enough in business to retire without ever having to work again. So having an entrepreneurial outlook is coming in handy. There are plenty of things I can still do to earn and learn.
Revising Yourself - Revenue Trickles, Streams, and Floods by Judith Kolberg
Judith Kolberg Chosen As Top 10 Female Productivity, Organization & Technology Experts
PODCAST #1
This is International Women’s Day and also Women’s History Month, and it is Episode 47. We’re going to be talking about the top 10 female productivity organization and technology experts, Ray and Augusto discussed top 10 female productivity organization and technology experts. Enjoy! Listen to Podcast One
PODCAST #2
We’re continuing our Women’s History Month celebration, by announcing the results of our poll this past week, with the top 10 female productivity, organization and technology experts! Also, we’re joined again by Julie Bestry and Deb Lee joins us for the first time. Enjoy! Listen to Podcast Two
The Declutter Hub Podcast Episode 133 - Why everybody needs a digital estate plan
It is our 133rd episode of The Declutter Hub Podcast so hello to you, our listeners! If you haven't already, make sure you check out our website - https://declutterhub.com/. We are delighted you're here and can't wait to share all our top tips about decluttering and organising with you.
In today's episode, Ingrid is speaking to Judith Kolberg who pioneered the Atlanta-based company FileHeads Professional Organizers in 1989. In 1990 she founded the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, the precursor to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Judith is credited with launching an entire field of professional organizing specifically dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals who are challenged by chronic disorganization.
What if you suddenly died or became incapacitated? Would your Executor, Power of Attorney, family or other authorized representatives know about the existence of your “invisible” online and web-based accounts, the ones with no statements or paper trail? Do the right people know how to log-in into your vital accounts? While your family is planning your funeral and grieving your loss, criminals could be hijacking your Facebook account. Do you know how to protect your ‘information afterlife’, the digital information that goes on without you?
Judith's Library
