The Need to Compartmentalize the Home

I read an article in the paper this weekend where the writer claimed that the reason we compartmentalize our homes is because we, unlike people in other countries, have "learned to expect houses to be built with special compartments".

With all due respect to the writer, this is just not true.

From the dawn of creation, people of all cultures have sought, in varying degrees, to organize their surroundings. It's not particularly something we are taught to do as children either.

Some of us grew up being encouraged to keep our rooms clean and orderly. Some of us grew up in utter chaos. But there is something in our psyche that requires us to function in an orderly manner or allow us to function in any manner.

My partner is a neat "freak". Everything has to be in its proper place or he feels totally ill at ease. I like things orderly, but am much more likely to have a messy desk than he is. In fact, he cannot tolerate a mess of any kind.

It is our ingrown need to organize our lives that compels us to compartmentalize things and it plays out in our clothing, our purses, our briefcases, our rooms, our offices and our homes.

It is not a 21st or 20th century phenomenon at all.

I'm sure there were cavewomen who designated certain parts of the cave for sleeping and other parts for eating and cooking.

The writer goes on to say, "homes before the 18th century, particularly in Europe, had no special definitions. Beds and tables were set up according to immediate need. . . . From our cultural education, we create visible as well as invisible territorial markers."

It's not cultural. It's human.

The Japanese, and other cultures who live in small spaces, are keenly aware of the need to compartmentalize their homes, and do so quite ingeniously. So it clearly is not some need borne out of our large spacious homes here in the West.

Putting furniture and accessories in their proper place is the function of an interior redesigner. It is what the business is based on.

If you need training in this area, might I suggest you get Decor Secrets Revealed, an electronic book of 25 chapters devoted solely to the subject of the proper arrangement of furniture and accessories in a room. It will teach you what you need to know and help you compartmentalize your furnishings in the proper manner, whether in live in a large or small home.

Hot Areas of the Country for Redesign and Staging

QUESTION
Do you know of states that are ideal for this type of business and service? I am needing to relocate and am open to going where I'd make the best money. Thanks for your suggestions.

ANSWER
California, Florida, New York and some of the other northern states are hot pockets right now. You can check out the popularity by visiting our International Staging and Redesign Directory and going to each state to see how many listings are in that state. That might give you some clue as to local popularity.

But the thing is, if you go to an area where it is more well known, you
have less educating you need to do. That is a plus, but you'll likely encounter some competition. But if you move to virgin territory, you might find getting press coverage much easier. So each has its benefits and its drawbacks.

But no one's experience will be the same as yours. From that perspective, it doesn't matter where you go or where you live, whose there ahead of your or if you are all alone.

Cultural differences can also play a factor. If you are in a strong cultural area other than caucasian, you will find different attitudes than in caucasian areas. Some cultures are more receptive to redesign (and staging) than others.

One Giant Key to Interior Redesign Success

I participated in a 4-way teleconference today hosted by one of the internet's largest, most prestigious companies. As a successful entrepreneur, they wanted to interview me on how I built my business and turned it into a success.

Before it was my turn, another entrepreneur was interviewed. When asked by the host how he was, however, his response was "Ok. I'm doing ok." I was shocked. I had fully expected him to answer with great enthusiasm, yet his response was mild to the point of making me wonder if something was wrong.

I therefore resolved that when I was asked how I was doing, that my response would be one of total excitement and positive statements. Alas, I didn't get asked the question.

But it made me think about how important one's attitude is and how much it contributes to one's success or failure.

Sometimes we fall into the trap of wearing our feelings on our sleeves, so to speak, in the mistaken belief that we should be "fully honest" at all times. I know I sometimes have to fight that battle myself.

But you can't afford to operate without enthusiasm. No one wants to work with or hire someone who is mildly enthused, or heaven forbid, depressed. So guard how you come across to people in a conversation, whether in person or over the phone. You will be judged by the level of your own positive statements, the tone of your voice and so much more.

Practice talking enthusiastically, even though you might not be feeling that way. You'd be surprised at how it will help your business and even pull you out of the negative state you are in at the time.

Interior Redesign and Home Staging

Since interior redesign and home staging are so closely related, you're crazy if you're not offering both services simultaneously. They both feed into each other.

Every person who sells a home, if they are moving locally, will be moving into a new space. They will be taking their old furnishings with them to the new space.

If they needed the services of a home stager on the front end, chances are HUGE that they will need the services of a redesigner on the back end.

People who have used your services as a redesigner at some point, will likely call you to come stage their home if and when they decide to sell it. Then they will want you to come redesign the new home after that.

So smart professionals are doing both businesses at the same time.

I have the only online, fully developed course that thoroughly teaches you how to build your own home staging and redesign business and intelligently incorporate the two together for the highese potential profits.

Visit: Diamond Staging and Redesign Course

Get your business started now while there is very little competition. You won't be sorry.

Displaying Good Leadership in Redesign

There are different kinds of leaders.

1) Those that lead by verbal dictate.
2) Those that lead by example.

While I'm perfectly at ease in a verbal exchange about my business and industry, I much prefer to lead by example.

When you consider that most people learn by visual stimuli, then you recognize the importance of placing something visual in front of them. Few people learn just by hearing. Why do you think every teacher you ever had made you take notes?

By writing down the concepts and by visually looking at what you wrote, your retention level was at its strongest.

So why is it that so many business people depend on auditory instruction to promote their businesses and to direct their employees?

Great CEOs and leaders should be able to build their company's product or deliver its service from the ground floor up.

That's just one of the reasons, when you call me, you will most likely find me answering the phone rather than a staff person. I want all of my clients and students to know that I'm accessible and willing to participate personally in their success or the resolution of problems.

Lead by example.

Giving a Talk to a Large Group

QUESTION
I'm giving a talk at our local civic center and am not sure which type of media would work best for a larger audience.

I have your set of cds for the computer, but no way of stopping it and discussing each phase. What do you recommend? I have a TV and dvd player, but no Powerpoint program for a computer (plus I think the screen is too small for the audience). Help!

ANSWER
Well, the powerpoint slides we offer would have really helped you out. If you have powerpoint, you can create your own. Not hard to do.

Otherwise, if you have a screen to use, you could rent an overhead projector. Need room to be dark. You make full size sheets of what you want to show and have them converted to "overlays" (image is transferred to a type of clear plastic). Kinkos can do them for you. You place the overlays on the bed of the projector and it magnifies the image onto the screen for you. It's the old fashioned way.

Apart from that, then use oversized props in your talk to illustrate. You could create a "living room" setting on stage behind you. You didn't say whether your talk is about staging or redesign, but at least you'd have something to use to illustrate a point or two.