"Wow!!!! What a great system!...This is the difference between

making things look organized and BEING organized."

-Karen Mielke, MD

Note from Kathy:  This Paper Tiger client is a physician who was also in law school at the time she wrote this journal of her Paper Tiger journey. She had two weeks between the end of her school year and the kids' summer break, and she made it her goal to "get organized" so she could better handle the challenges of being a wife, mother of two active boys, part-time physician and full-time student. She sent me e-mail progress reports beginning on the day the software arrived.

It just goes to show what kind of transformation is possible when one sets their mind to it and carves out some time to just DO IT!  Below are her humorous progress reports (shared with permission).

5/28/02:
It was a blissful couple days, adding to the "file" pile completely guilt-free (can't file that - waiting for the Paper Tiger to arrive!). Sadly, it has come to an end... My software just arrived and I'm looking through the materials. Looking forward to our phone appointment to talk about the setup. In the mean time I'll read the literature that came with it.

5/29/02:
Wow!!!! What a great system! I have converted all my most commonly used files and filed everything that was in piles in my office (and thrown away several garbage cans-full). I have eliminated all unnecessary files, and tossed obsolete stuff as I've re-filed. I only spent a few hours today and have created about 100 files. I need to make another trip to Staples! I am getting good at keywords, and easily finding files to add stuff. Amazingly, I couldn't always remember exactly what I called a file just an hour earlier! No problem finding it anyway! I am feeling lighter already! Thanks a bunch!

5/30/02:
All the household files are done! And now I feel like I can attack other areas of the house because I know exactly what to do with what I find! Wooo Hooo! I de-cluttered the family room this morning. I still have all my medical files to convert (4 stuffed file drawers worth) but that is not as high a priority and I will be tossing a lot of them.

6/2/02:
This is amazing!!!! There is not one sheet of paper without a home in my office. All my CD-ROMS are numbered and filed away in 2 different locations, all my software manuals are filed. I found a piece of software I knew I had but couldn't previously find that I no longer use and my dad wanted (and is no longer available for purchase...) and it is packaged, stamped and in my outbox. 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.

6/5/02:
I filed ALL my music. Three Locations - sheet music (in binders), music books (in living room), and music archives (in basement). 320 files! And I took on the master bedroom. It wasn't pretty. No more junky drawers. No more piles. LOTS of dust... Books are next. And the craft cabinet.

I have three people very interested in the Paper Tiger. I've given them your web address and told them about my transformation. My friend needs some serious help, but I suspect she's a pathological pack rat.

6/7/02
I cleaned up and organized the craft cabinet for the last time (installed a lock!!!!), put poly dividers between every 20 songs in my sheet music binders, discovered the joys of box-bottom hanging folders (I use 3), and found a legal size expanding file with a latch and handle that I named "oversize" and filed my mortgage papers and blueprints in there. I got a key organizer. What's left is: books, pantry, laundry room, basement storage room and garage. I should be all done within a week. My husband thinks we might camp this weekend. Yeah......when the garage is clean! heh heh heh

6/9/02:
The garage is a thing of beauty. Rained all weekend (thankfully). The key organizer is installed and full of labeled keys, the laundry room is clean and organized, and the books are done. We set up the Jr. Naturalist Club library with all the animal books for my son, and thinned out the kids books by about 50%, doing away with all learn-to-read stuff. My son really enjoyed reminiscing over old books. We read several together, and kept our favorites to read to younger guests. Everything waiting for the Salvation Army or the church is in my truck. The kid's desks are cleaned out. All June birthday, anniversary and father's day cards are signed, addressed, stamped, and in the tickler. Bills are paid, filing is done, house is clean.

Once the pantry and the basement storage are done, only small projects will be left. Installing locks in all problem areas. Gave away a pile of clothes tonight.

Karen Mielke, MD
Missoula, MT

6/2/04 UPDATE: 

We received a handwritten thank you note from Karen for some flowers we sent in recognition of her graduation from law school. In her note she said, "This degree was the most fun. My life experience and refined efficiency, combined with such great family support, made graduating from law school at the top of the class an easy task." Congratulations, Karen!

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