See also: Case Studies

Success Stories
Smart WorkLife Solutions (SWS) achieves real results with real people. Whether facilitating the organization of a home, office, or life, you can count on Pam to deliver practical and transformative solutions. Here are some of the things that SWS clients have to say . . . .

Home Organizing

• Anna Parks & Shelly Yadon, Retirees . . .
  "We were overwhelmed with our last move. We downsized from 1200 square feet to 400 square feet and didn’t have a clue how we could do this without a cluttered and “stuffed” look.
  
  Pam came to our rescue. We kept nearly all our things and they fit beautifully as Pam found just the right little “nooks and crannies” for each item. Every day we send a message of gratitude and relief to Pam that we had this dynamic artist working with us each day. Thankfulness fills our apartment and orderliness saves time and energy that we can spend in other ways.
  
  Thank you so very much for all your help Pam. We’re so proud we show our best friends our closets and drawers! The unique and clever answers really have worked for us."
  
  
• Lois R., Homemaker and Small Business Owner . . .
  "Pam, you have probably been feeling my thankful vibes . . . when I did my books a few weeks ago, it went fast and smooth because of our organization. In spite of procrastinating the actual book keeping, all the records were present and easily accessed and there was no hunting for anything required. I LOVE our system. It should make the whole tax preparation process go much easier than usual! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  The kitchen organization is working too, I am a convert. Though the guys, especially, do not keep the counters clear, I can easily maintain it with a few minutes daily, and in general the kitchen has remained uncluttered and organized and it has lessened my stress mightily. And the kitchen table, though not always perfect, also stays clear a majority of the time and mail doesn't pile up for days, like it used to. No more lost bills or checks because my husband cleared the table before company arrived by throwing everything in a box we never see again . . . thank goodness. All these things have worked really well for us, and I thank you. We are not poster children for perfection, but we are poster children for if we can do it, anyone can do it.  

  And, I actually got my husband to clean out his closet! My son and I worked on his stuff and he joined us and got in the spirit of getting rid of things he never wears. It's progress. Again, I just want you to know that every single day I am thankful for you and the skills you have taught me."
  
  
• Jennifer McClintock, Sr. Marketing Consultant . . .
  "I can't thank Pam enough for bringing her organizational skills into my home. My job has kept me on the road all spring and I was just too tired to deal with things that needed attention at home. Her help organizing and purging has taken a huge weight off of my shoulders, and I am so proud of my home and how clean and organized it is.
  
  She was personally a joy to work with and I can't express enough how much I learned from her. It was nice to not only have help, but to actually learn there is some logic and methodology behind organization. I think I can actually organize my basement and garage . . . all by myself!
  
  Pam was truly a godsend that came at just the right time. I would recommend her to other executives whose minds feel "cluttered" and just cannot find enough hours or energy to effectively and efficiently take care of work and home. I am pleasantly surprised that I now have time to do other things, and I will actually save money by being organized! I thank Pam for all of her help. She is a true professional and skilled at what she does."
  
  
• Two Tired Retirees . . .
  "Our thanks to Pam, a personal coach and organizer. ‘Organizer’ says it all. We moved to Des Moines and a 3 bedroom apartment. She met the truck and took over. Laid out each room—advised us what we no longer needed—hung pictures and other personal items on walls. Decorated the place completely. Wonderful job and a big relief."
  
  
• Pam Peterson, Work at Home Mom . . .
  "All of the things you've helped me organize thus far are working wonderfully.  My upstairs is always picked up and clean.  Thanks for all your help!"
  
  

Office Organizing

• Executive, Financial Management . . .
  "In 30 years of management, I always struggled with organization. After one day with Pam—not even a full day—she was able to pinpoint the problems and provide me with a methodology for organizing my work that I use very successfully today. Without question Pam has made my work life much easier."
  
  
• Executive, AmerUs . . .
  "Working with Pam for just three months I accomplished things I had never done before. I not only achieved the goal that prompted me to call her in the first place but I benefited in surprising ways too.
  
  Overall, I got a new start in life that has served as the basis for a greater level of happiness with my family and new job. Specifically, I cleaned up a lot of clutter that I had been tolerating, I improved my communication and relating skills at work, I improved my financial positioning, I started spending more quality time with my family, I made time to enjoy things that are personally rewarding and I did all of this working a normal work schedule plus, having my weekends free."
  
  Update (One year later): "My career success has been outstanding. Personally and financially I have achieved goals I would never have dreamed possible in such a short time. Pam really helped me change my life, in fact, it wouldn't have happened without her support."
  
  
• President, Financial Services . . .
  "I appreciate the opportunity to work with Pam as a personal coach and found the experience significantly rewarding.
  
  Not only did she help me establish a framework for reviewing my Personal Foundation, she was integral in helping me address my marketing problems. I felt competent from a technical aspect and found myself engaged in customer service on a day-to-day basis. However, I found myself struggling to attract new relationships. With Pam's assistance and through resources she referred me to, I have successfully launched a complete marketing campaign.
  
  Pam was a tremendous resource guide for various aspects of my business including staff development and in helping to review my internal processes. Her coaching assisted me in addressing a number of production issues I had, particularly related to certain staff positions. I have and will continue to refer Pam to my colleagues."
  
  
• Julie Crawford, Benefits Administrator, EFCO . . .
  "Pam is a great coach. I learned volumes from her. I can't imagine learning more from anyone else."
  
  
• David Murillo, Commissioner, WDMLPYFL . . .
  "Pam Woods provided advice and counseling that allowed for the development and implementation of a problem-free business plan. Ms. Wood's expertise enabled the State of Iowa's largest youth football organization to become a reality. Without Pam's insight into the business world, the West Des Moines 'Little-Pro' Youth Football League would have become bogged down in red-tape. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of her professional assistance and guidance."
  
  
• L. Hansen, Administrator . . .
  "It’s exhilarating to know where things are—it makes sense, I have a map. Every time someone comes into my office and asks for a contract I’m able to find it for them quickly. They’re amazed and I’m enjoying the ability to respond to them rapidly."
  
  
• Michelle, New College Graduate . . .
  "Working with Pam was very worthwhile for me. She helped me improve my resume and cover letter with her many good suggestions. Her coaching helped me interview confidently and get the job I wanted."
  
  

Life Organizing

• Manager, Call Center . . .
  "I want to thank Pam for all her help these last few months. I was pretty confused, hysterical, anxiety-ridden and she helped me cut through the emotion so I could define what I wanted, compare with what I had, and then make those decisions that really needed to be made. I had never done that before in my life. Every decision I made revolved around my job and how I would fit my life into those positions. Now I am confident my life will be the other way around."
  
  
• Roy Park, President, The Park Group . . .
  "In my professional role as a consultant I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing and working with Pam Woods for over 12 years. Pam immediately impressed me, and continues to amaze me with her ability to recognize and identify problems or hurdles, and to formulate efficient, often novel, and savvy ways of approaching and surmounting roadblocks, be they personal or professional.
  
  In her role as an executive of a multinational corporation, and Human Resources professional, Pam coached hundreds of individuals on career and personal issues. She also possesses superior organizational skills, which she has encapsulated into a formula which can be of benefit to anyone who feels frustrated, burned out, torn between home and work pressures, or otherwise lacking satisfaction in their lives.
  
  Pam’s holistic approach considers how to achieve a healthy balance to all aspects of your life, and provides the support and tools you need to identify your priorities and reclaim your life. Pam’s personal style will put you at ease, as she believes individuals haven’t 'failed' to organize, they have just never learned the skills which will not only give them greater peace of mind, but which will provide a competitive advantage in today’s fast and complex world.
  
  I am pleased to recommend Pam, and believe that if you are ready to accept coaching as a means of organizing your life, you would be well advised to give Pam a call. She is a consummate professional, and will provide you with the tools to learn and implement the organizing and time management concepts needed to balance your life."
  
  
• Coach & Therapist . . .
  "There are so many things about Pam that make her a fantastic coach! Her optimism is contagious and who can afford not to catch that?
  
  She is a wonderful mirror who allowed me to discover more of who I am, what is important to me and the direction I wanted to go. There are so many coaches out there with a 'spiritual' bent, and I was relieved to find Pam because she provided a blank canvas on which I could color my own life. I felt so free to be myself and appreciated that she left the spiritual piece up to me to express if I desired.
  
  I learned more about myself and took more steps forward in four months, toward my most alive and creative self, than I had in years. If you entrust your hopes and dreams to Pam, you will find your way toward what really matters. It is a journey worth taking and is full of surprises!"
  

• Linda McDonald, Attorney At Law . . .
  "A recent illness in my family sent my precariously balanced life into a tailspin. As an attorney, wife, mother of three, daughter, sister, friend, etc., this unexpected event caused all the balls I was juggling to come crashing down around me. I was stressed, torn between competing priorities, and simply not doing anyone, including myself, much good.
  
  I have known and respected Pam Woods for many years, and called upon Smart WorkLife Solutions to help me sort through some of these issues. Pam was an invaluable help to me. Her sessions and 'assignments' helped me to quickly recognize some of my unrealistic self-expectations, and convinced me of the need to take care of myself before I could be of true assistance to others. Pam’s surprisingly simple organizational model made a huge difference in my efficiency, and her coaching brought me to an overall sense of peace with my situation.
  
  Pam’s coaching made a significant difference in my life. Should you find yourself in a situation in which you are pulled in many directions, or are struggling with disorganization which hinders success, I urge you to contact Pam at Smart WorkLife Solutions. Her insight and questions will lead you to discovery and action. She will soon have you moving toward what you desire."
  
  
• Service/Performance Consultant, Independent Professional . . .
  "Before coaching I had been a working mother for 10 years, fitting in my life and my family's life around the demands of my management and consulting career. I was constantly pressed for time, always tired, with more on my to do list than I could ever hope to achieve. I was a person who was so busy fulfilling others' expectations of me that I had lost track of who I was and what was important to me.
  
  When I decided to take some time off to consider my next professional move, little did I realize that making some space in my life would lead to so much confusion about what to do next. My head kept directing me to make the next rational, straight line career path move - and quickly! My gut kept pulling in a different, more vague direction. Through my work with Pam, it became clear that my decision was about much more than how I would earn a living. I needed clarity about what gave me a sense of purpose, about what I really loved to do, and about how my gifts and talents could be used to pursue my dreams.
  
  Pam helped me to get out of my head and validate what my heart and gut were saying. Having her focus completely on my concerns during our conversation was a wonderful experience; it made me realize how rarely true listening happens. She helped me to set small goals, to bite off a little at a time and to celebrate small achievements. I learned to be comfortable with not knowing, not seeing, not understanding. By just being in a state of "not" for a while, some of what "is" could form and make itself known. She sent me interesting, inspiring and reassuring articles and tips - they are still helpful. She helped me understand that not only was it ok to have the concerns and feelings I had, but that facing them and working with them was actually an act of courage, something to be proud of, something that may form a foundation for the rest of my life. When I would start to spin out into fears, perfectionism, over-thinking, being over-sensitive to others' reactions, etc., Pam identified these self-defeating patterns and helped me re-center myself.
  
  I used to think that pursuing meaning and purpose, experiencing joy and being creative was kind of hokey, or at least an indulgence limited to the independently wealthy. But through my work with Pam, I recognized the opportunity to make a life that really works for me - rather than me for it. I feel less trapped by life's constraints and boundaries and more aware of how my values, priorities and talents create possibilities, more aware of my dreams and creative potential for making them a reality. I understand for the first time the saying: life is not a dress rehearsal. I feel a greater sense of confidence as I walk the path to the next stage of my career. I have a deeper appreciation for and enjoyment of all of the facets of my life, as they are right now.
  
  Pam was an important part of my transition over the past several months and I'm just plain old happier as a result of my experience. Should I encounter new areas for which coaching would be beneficial I would not hesitate to contact her again."
  
  
• Executive, Insurance . . .
  "I was coming to the end of a 17 year career with the same company. I knew that I wanted to do something different with my life, but did not know how to go about finding what I really wanted, never mind how to actually go about doing it. I have always been a strongly independent person, and never thought that I would need help with anything from anybody, but I decided to take a chance and ask Pam if she could help me as I worked through the transition.
  
  Very quickly, Pam helped me focus on what was important in my life, the things that brought me happiness. She helped me to recognize the distractions, the things in my life that were getting in the way of what I really wanted. Through working with Pam, I recognized my core values, and how they influenced the choices I had made. I have been able to use what I have learned to set out my new course, with the confidence and tools that I will need to succeed.
  
  I have no doubt that without Pam's help, today I would still be struggling with the same barriers that were holding me back when I first started working with Pam. I would highly recommend Pam to anybody who is interested in achieving their maximum potential, and fully intend to continue working with Pam from time to time as my career and life develop."
  
  

To learn more please see client case studies or contact me to set up a time to get acquainted. I would be honored to talk with you and learn more about your specific situation.

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