“I was absolutely drowning in paperwork… so I contacted Kathy Paauw. I’d really come to respect her and knew that she could help me out.”
— Jack Canfield
Best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series and The Success Principles™: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
“I was absolutely drowning in paperwork… so I contacted Kathy Paauw. I’d really come to respect her and knew that she could help me out.”
— Jack Canfield
Best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series and The Success Principles™: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
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“I would not have believed that such a rich education awaited me in personal coaching.
I had chosen to postpone my MHA degree for two years because of a grant award. I would not have believed that such a rich education awaited me in personal coaching – it has helped me so much with management, leadership, and LIFE skills. This has been an incredibly valuable experience for me. I do not believe I could have been as effective in assuming two difficult jobs and balancing my other commitments in such a short period of time without coaching. Thank you, Kathy!!”
NOTE: Dr. Wong has become a coach herself and has shared comments about her 20+ years of coaching with Kathy on her website here.
Emily Wong, MD, MHA
Internist
Seattle, WA and Hong Kong
“I’ve gained the knowledge I needed to move my business forward.
Your combined skills as a professional organizer and a personal and business coach have helped me build my organizing business. You’ve provided me with needed encouragement and support, and I’ve gained the knowledge I needed to move my business forward.”
Professional Organizer
Springfield, MO
“I now trust my abilities and know that I have much to offer…
Your role as my coach, mentor, and teacher has been instrumental in getting my business flowing. Your thought-provoking questions and gentle guidance have helped me in many areas of my life. I appreciate and am grateful for the emotional support, encouragement, and valuable information you have given me on everything from setting up my books and contact management system to marketing strategies and working with clients. I now trust my abilities and know that I have much to offer clients as a professional organizer.”
Karen Roehl
Clutter Coach
Kirkland, WA
“Thank you for helping co-create great strategies for my success over these past several months.
Kathy, you’ve been an incredible resource for helping me build my business and fine-tune & package my services. Your knowledge of business and your clear organized delivery of the coaching process has created great success for me. You have provided innovative and powerful ways of looking at situations that have resulted in concrete action plans. My performance has dramatically increased in a short period of time through your inspiration and highly creative coaching process. Thank you for helping co-create great strategies for my success over these past several months. You have no idea how valuable you are! I am so glad I found you on the web and decided to hire you as my business coach. Our work together has been well worth the investment.”
Sherry Borsheim
Organizing & Productivity Consultant
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
“Coaching has brought me to new heights of success.
Thank you so much for your guidance and for helping me to reflect on my life. I feel that this coaching experience was extremely positive, and my accomplishments were endless. The things I’ve learned about myself are amazing. Realizing what is important to me has made my life 100% better! I also feel that my self-esteem is better now, but was in question before. I’ve been able to schedule my days for maximum success and I’ve learned how to manage my time for all things and stop spending time on things that are not important to me. Coaching has helped me to manifest my dreams and hopes. My journey has been really fun and fruitful. Thank you, Kathy!”
Student & Entrepreneur
“You generously provided business assistance that jump-started my business and eliminated the need for me to ‘reinvent the wheel’.
I want to say thank you for your assistance during our coaching session together. You are incredible! Your thought-provoking questions helped me focus on what is most important in both the start-up phase of my organizing business and in my life. Your guidance, support and recommendations gave me the direction I needed and helped me overcome the obstacles that prevented me from moving forward. You generously provided business assistance that jump-started my business and eliminated the need for me to ‘reinvent the wheel’.”
Carole Thomas Osborne
Professional Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
“Kathy, you were heaven sent for an earthly need.
You have revolutionized my way of thinking and have transformed my business. I have immediate results! I have the confidence to ask for the big money, know that I’m worth it, and actually get it! I just signed my first contract with a client for nearly $6000 — my biggest job yet. Thank you for your patience, your transfer of skills, and your thoroughness.”
Professional Organizer
Jackson, MS
“Coaching with you was critical in moving forward with the birth of my business.
You played a key role. Our work together has allowed me to face my fears head-on, instead of ignoring them and hoping they would go away. In effect, I am now more honest with myself about my circumstances and abilities. I have increased self-confidence and I feel more centered. I have also learned that what I am doing with each minute of my life is a CHOICE that I make – if I’m not making that decision consciously, then I’m letting my subconscious take over – and perhaps make choices for the wrong reasons. Thank you for all of your help.”
Business Owner
Ontario, Canada
“I can’t believe the number of changes that I’ve navigated calmly with Kathy’s weekly coaching and support.
Kathy skillfully, patiently, and kindly coached me through a time of multiple, simultaneous transitions. We dealt with clutter, with procrastination and with fear. I am a physician and she clearly understands the challenges inherent in my profession. I can’t believe the number of changes that I’ve navigated calmly with Kathy’s weekly coaching and support. In addition to making huge progress, I have learned to have compassion with myself when I backslide. Somehow, I am doing more and stressing less. Thank you so much, Kathy!”
Claudia Finkelstein MD
Internist
Grand Rapids, Michigan
“The thoughts and concepts you’ve shared with me as my coach will always influence my choices.
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. The thoughts and concepts you’ve shared with me as my coach will always influence my choices. Having the opportunity to share my thoughts with you is going to guide me to my true path. I feel such a sense of peace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Diane Spera
Real Estate Agent
Kirkland, WA
“I’m so much better prepared than if I’d done this on my own.
Kathy, you are incredible and brilliant! You are one of the most giving people I’ve had the privilege of knowing. Thank you for the great coaching and encouragement you provided to help get my business off the ground. I’m so much better prepared than if I’d done this on my own. You have been a true blessing to me. Thank you!”
Vicki Manning
Certified Professional Coach & Organizing Consultant
Nashville, TN
“I value your listening ear for my organizing practice…someone to bounce ideas off of who’s been there and done that.
You’ve taught me the importance of listening to my clients and not making assumptions about their needs. And your advice has definitely saved me money! At the end of one of our calls you asked me how I was taking care of myself. That really meant a lot to me, and it made me think. I take care of everybody else and don’t think about what I should do for me. You also helped take a look at how I value my services and what I charge for them. Thanks for everything!”
Elizabeth Hagen
Professional Organizer & Speaker
Sioux Falls, SD
A number of clients have mentioned a productivity tool I have helped them implement, called The Paper Tiger. To learn more about this web-based “finding” tool, register for my free webinar here to watch a demo.
Article for physicians, written by Dr. Francine Gaillour, Creative Strategies in Physician Leadership:
“I am about to share with you a success secret so amazing and yet so simple that you won’t believe me when I say it will have significant impact in your life and business. Are you ready?
Here it is: GET RID OF THE CLUTTER!
I’ll share my own experience with de-cluttering. I am not a naturally neat and organized person. Because I have so many ideas in the “in-progress” stage, I tend to keep multiple unfinished pet projects in various documents, post-in-notes and opened-books on my desk, on my book shelves, and in my computer files. In order to keep the idea and project “active” I want it visible. Hence, I have a lot of “stuff” all over the place. Because I hate detailed work, I also procrastinate on my filing, and won’t let my assistant touch my files because it would create work for me to help her out.
About two years ago my state of constant creativity and clutter began to choke me. Not only were the files and books an eye-sore, but the ideas and projects that I refused to let go of were creating a serious energy log-jam. In my reluctance to let go of “stuff”, I realized I was diluting my creative energy and therefore short-changing the key projects that I had a real passion for. The Solution: Organized De-cluttering.
The solution was a serious de-junking of the paper and a re-prioritizing of my focus. It amazed me to see that I chose to keep only those “things” and activities that truly reflected my passion and where I wanted to go with my professional and personal life. And the result was not only a cleaner office . . . but an immediate and significant boost in my business!
Fortunately, I had help with my paper and organizational challenges from an expert: Kathy Paauw, an organization and productivity consultant and coach whom I met through my professional coach training.
One of Kathy’s areas of expertise is in working with medical professionals. As the spouse of a physician and the daughter of a dentist and a nurse, Kathy has a personal understanding of some of the unique challenges facing medical professionals on a daily basis. She also works with professionals from a variety of non-medical fields, including educational, legal, high tech, research, manufacturing, advertising, marketing & public relations, pharmaceutical, financial planning, non-profit, and a variety of small businesses.”
Francine R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE
Founder & Executive Director
Physician Coaching Institute
“My new assistant of three months now has the ability to find items and be a support.
“Kathy, thank you for your help. Today my assistant and I finished up 5 days of working with the Paper Tiger software. We reorganized two offices and files left by three past executive directors from the last 10 years. Dated materials were removed and treasures of ideas and support were discovered. My new assistant of three months now has the ability to find items and be a support. We have laughed together because we could see the rainbow on the other side is this paper mound. Thanks again!”
Executive Director of a non-profit agency
“This is the difference between making things look organized and BEING organized. Thanks again!
“Kathy, the Paper Tiger is amazing!!!! There is not one sheet of paper without a home in my office. All my CD-ROMS are numbered and filed away and all my software manuals are filed. This has been so painless. The more I do, the more I want to do. The possibilities are endless! This is the difference between making things look organized and BEING organized. Thanks again!”
Karen Mielke, MD
St. Paul, MN
“Kathy did wonders. We did in two days what would have taken me years on my own.
Last Fall I had an opportunity to work with Kathy Paauw to organize both my home and work offices. At the time, I had so many stacks of papers in my work office I wasn’t exactly sure as to what was what. I was quite embarrassed whenever anyone entered my office. At home, things were worse. I always intended to get organized “soon.” There were so many piles and mounds of paper that the office door was permanently closed. When I needed to add to the mess, I was in and out of there as quickly as I could be. Locating a document was an excruciatingly frustrating and time-consuming ordeal.
Kathy did wonders. We did in two days what would have taken me years on my own. My home and work files were converted to the Paper Tiger system. Now, I can find any document in seconds. It feels great to quickly find a document for a client. Additionally, filing is quick and — as strange as it sounds — fun.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my consultation with Kathy involved much more than implementing the Paper Tiger. Not only did Kathy clean out and organize all of my desk drawers, she also helped create tickler systems for those items that didn’t quite belong in a file. Now, at the end of the day, every paper has its place. It is wonderful.
Additionally, Kathy has worked with me and given me great resources to help me organize my time. She has reminded me how I need to make time and schedule those things that are most important to me. In other words, I can control my schedule instead of allowing my schedule to control me. My time with Kathy has been one of the best investments I have ever made. I wholeheartedly recommend Kathy to anyone who wants help to organize and simplify in order to more fully enjoy relationships and interests.”
Beth A. McDaniel
Estate Planning Attorney
Renton, WA
“The Paper Tiger software and your ideas are being put to use here as we work “smarter,” not harder.
“Kathy, I can’t thank you enough for all your help with getting us up and started on the Paper Tiger. I probably was the one dragging my feet about doing all my files this way. However, I am loving the organization of it all. I have been an alphabet filer forever and definitely didn’t see myself jumping into hyper-speed with the paradigm shift. But I love it and it is easier to find things. I love the key words function and use it all the time. This summer I will be organizing my boss’s library and illustration files. I can hardly wait to get them done. It will be such a help to him after the process is finished. Again, thanks for all your help. This software is extremely user friendly and I haven’t run into any problems. The Paper Tiger software and your ideas are being put to use here as we work “smarter,” not harder.”
Highlands Community Church
Renton, WA
“I am already seeing how much this is going to increase the efficiency of this office, free me up, and provide a foundation for GROWTH of our company.
“Kathy Paauw spent a day with me last week and we installed an organizing program called the “Paper Tiger.” It is awesome. It’s a management system that tracks all our files and archives, and I am already seeing how much this is going to increase the efficiency of this office, free me up, and provide a foundation for GROWTH of our company. I am so happy! Today I handled a couple of quick filing actions and it was so EASY!! I found the files immediately – no browsing through the drawer trying to locate the file. It feels great!”
Fran Fisher
Fran Fisher Coaching & Consulting
Bellevue, WA
“Now I can retrieve important documents instantly!
In the past I had trouble finding things. Kathy, since you implemented The Paper Tiger for our office, I have saved a lot of time. Now I can retrieve important documents instantly!”
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Publicis
Seattle, WA
“The light at the end of the tunnel is sunshine coming in where my piles blocked the lights.
Just getting started with the Paper Tiger makes me feel lighter. I feel more hopeful. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and my chest. As a person who remembers where I put something the first time I set it down, I’ve been afraid to file papers away. That fear has paralyzed me for about two years — no filing done — or at least very little. The Paper Tiger is so awesome and I see such great possibilities — I am so very excited! I feel secure and trustful filing things away with The Paper Tiger because now I know I can find them again. There is hope. The light at the end of the tunnel is sunshine coming in where my piles blocked the lights. Thank you so much for this wonderful program.”
Sedona, AZ
“Thanks, Kathy, for teaching me how to manage paper and information more efficiently and effectively.
“My Paper Tiger files and tickler file system are working great. I love both, and they are so easy to use. Your system has allowed me so much extra time to focus on other important things. It is wonderful! It’s almost too easy…I feel like I should be working harder to find what I need. Thanks, Kathy, for teaching me how to manage paper and information more efficiently and effectively.”
Professional Coach
The Pyramus Group, San Jose, CA
“During the next 6.5 years, my very survival depended on having a high degree of order around me.
I’ve used Paper Tiger over the years and am evangelistic about its value. In May of 1995, I was in a serious accident when a drunk driver hit me while I was riding my bicycle. My skull was fractured and I suffered brain injuries in the area of the brain that affects executive functioning. As a result, I experienced panic reactions when interrupted, when there was clutter, or when my ability to focus was broken. During the next 6.5 years, my very survival depended on having a high degree of order around me. I’m telling you this because I am living proof that the organizing and time management principles you provide really work. Thanks!”
Floyd Green
Cornerstone Wealth Management
Raleigh, NC
“I told the appreciative supervisors they would not have to look for the documents because the Tiger and I had answered the alarm.
“Yesterday, just six hours after I’d bitten the bullet and ‘filed my piles’ with The Paper Tiger, an email arrived from our favorite “seat-of-the-pants” manager, asking several supervisors for some reports that he’d never shown any interest in. And by the way, they were needed for an important meeting TODAY. So I went to Reference 9, where the documents had just been stored, put copies of the (formerly ‘lost’) documents on the manager’s desk, and told the appreciative supervisors they would not have to look for the documents because the Tiger and I had answered the alarm.”
Sr. Public Relations Specialist
Seattle City Light
“The groundbreaking work you have done has helped immeasurably.
“I want to tell you how much I appreciate your hard work, patience, and professionalism over this past year. The groundbreaking work you have done has helped immeasurably. I wish you much success in your consulting business, and will mention your name to anyone looking for an outstanding Productivity Coach.”
Director of Emergency Medicine
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
“Through the implementation of your suggestions, I already feel more balanced.
I was very inspired by your workshop last week on Managing Time, Paper, and Information for Maximum Effectiveness. I began creating my personal mission statement that evening. I also started the weekly planning process last weekend. I managed to achieve a much stronger sense of accomplishment than I have in a long time. Through the implementation of your suggestions, I already feel more balanced. I have passed on the workshop and website info to my Executive Director, who has been particularly aided by the delegation suggestions and log. So I thank you on her behalf as well. Your help has, in a week’s time, proven to be invaluable.”
Program Director
Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas
Seattle, WA
“I’ve been committed to using your disciplines, and amazingly I’ve found myself realizing my goals much more closely than before.
I thought I knew it all when it came to time management — use of Franklin Planners, “to-do” lists, etc. Your workshop three years ago trained me how to become more disciplined and faithful to my time management goals as they related to work/life balance, more time with family, increased productivity, more time spent with my representatives, etc. I’m still using the tools I already had, just using them much more effectively and efficiently. I’ve been committed to using your disciplines, and amazingly I’ve found myself realizing my goals much more closely than before. I continue to use many of your precepts to this day, and even go back and review my notes from your session whenever I feel like I’m slipping into some of my old time/energy wasting ways. I’m enjoying your online newsletters. Keep up the good work!”
Executive Business Manager
Merck & Co., Inc.
“You have a way of supporting people, just in conversation, never stealing their spotlight but affirming them and drawing them out.
“I am so grateful that you agreed to speak to our chapter. Besides your well- thought-out strategies, you yourself are living proof of the value of being organized and model an excellent example of what we all strive to be. It is easy to imagine what an excellent coach you are. You have a way of supporting people, just in conversation, never stealing their spotlight but affirming them and drawing them out. You do not pretend to be “practically perfect” and that helps us all be more open about ourselves, which gives you the honest data you need to help people take the next step.”
Program Chair
International Association of Administrative Professionals
Seattle, WA
“I had the most productive week after your seminar.
Kathy, thanks for your follow-up with me after the workshop last week. I want to let you know that I had the most productive week after your seminar. The goal setting and paper organization did wonders. Thanks for the effective techniques and inspiration.”
Cybercamps Foundation
Seattle, WA
“Thanks for your excellent workshop.
It was obviously very well received, and we had record attendance with standing room only!”
Community Relations Coordinator
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
“Your workshop was so valuable and helpful to me that it was worth the entire registration fee for this conference.
I also enjoyed and appreciated your presentation style. Your manner conveys an extraordinary calmness and competence — you demonstrate that you are living ‘at choice.’ Your talk was both inspiring and practical, and you provided information that I can use immediately to improve my life and my clients’ lives.”
Allison Schnipper
Professional Organizer (NAPO Conference Attendee)
Sharon, MA
“I especially loved the way you ended it, with upbeat affirmation and having participants share their goals. Inspiring!
Hi, Kathy! Thanks for the webinar notes! I totally enjoyed your Buried in Paper webinar today. I especially loved the way you ended it, with upbeat affirmation and having participants share their goals. Inspiring! I’m seriously looking into registering for your next course. Blessings to you!
San Anselmo, CA
“Kathy Paauw’s Virtual Organizer Training was the first step in giving me the confidence to launch my virtual organizing business.
This program is chock full of marketing tips and practical resources in addition to providing an actual recording of a virtual session. Beyond it’s value for those considering virtual organizing, it offers a fantastic overview of marketing strategies that really work. Kathy shares templates and examples of client proposals to help you confidently create both active and passive income. I highly recommend this course for anyone considering working as a virtual organizer or consultant. Whether you are new to the organizing field or a veteran such as myself, you will find great value in this course.”
Mindful Decluttering and Organizing, LLC
My Gift to You:
7 Strategies to Overcome Overwhelm
…for good!
In this guide, discover how to simplify your life at work and at home by following these 7 simple strategies.
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