From Colleen -

Hey there,

I want to make this page fun and interactive. However… sometimes work is… well… serious work. As ponderous as this section is, I am sharing the information to help us both understand the Client and Coach / Organizer relationship.

You: How should I prepare for our first appt?

  • Coaching:

    • think about what you plan to accomplish through the process

    • imagine what "done" looks like for yourself

  • Organizing:

    • think about what you plan to accomplish through the process

    • imagine what "done" looks like for yourself

    • achieve and maintain a basic level of hygiene and cleanliness in the space

    • remove easy and obvious items like items to be donated, trash and recycling

    • remove highly sensitive or fragile items from the area

    • It helps for me to see the real space and usage, so don't worry about being overly clean and tidy!

You and Me: How should I prepare for every appointment?

  • Coaching and Organizing:

    • Have a vision for what you want to accomplish today. Or be ready to work on that immediately when we begin.

    • I will and you will: Let's keep interruptions and distractions to a minimum, in terms of cell phone use, pets and family members, if possible.

    • I will and you will. Self-regulation tasks should be complete, for each of us. We will…

      • Be awake, alert, and medicated if necessary

      • Be fully dressed and in safe footwear

      • Have eaten a meal recently, and be hydrated

My personal mission statement is: Service to God, Family and Community and Humanity, in that Order.  

My Professional Mission Statement and Goal is to promote Peace of Mind for others.

To this end, I will collaborate with my clients in organizing their homes, businesses, schedules and lives upon request. I will provide suggestions, assistance or personal effort to my clients to organize and manage what I believe are the five critical areas of organization: Time, Money and Resources, Space, Tangible and Intangible Stuff, and Satisfaction. I will respect my clients as individuals by respecting their privacy and working with, and not against, their personal talents and limitations.

In all things, I will be polite, respectful, considerate, kind and inclusive.

“Professional Coaching is an interactive process that helps individuals and organizations improve their performances and achieve extraordinary results.  Professional coaches work with clients in all areas including business, career, finances, health and relationships.  As a result of professional coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths.”
— International Coach Federation
“A Professional Organizer enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles and through transferring organizing skills. A Professional Organizer also educates the public on organizing solutions and the resulting benefits.”
— NAPO

What We Should Expect from Each Other in this Professional Relationship:

  • We will respond to correspondence within 24 hours, or on the following Monday if corresponding on a weekend.

  • We will be on time for our appointments. 

    • If we have to cancel due to a family or personal emergency, we will give each other as much warning as possible, and offer suggestions for re-scheduling.

    • We will be present and focused for our appointments together and keep distractions to a minimum.

  • We will note our appointment time and date, and not expect a call to confirm though we’re welcome to do so. 

  • We will each complete our homework as discussed, in time for our next appointment. 

  • We are insured. I carry business insurance, but I expect home and business owners to carry the same.  As the Client, you are accountable and responsible for general safety in our work area, and for removing especially sentimental, valuable or fragile items from our work area before we begin our work together.

  • What is gone is gone, if I remove items from your home at your request and in mutual agreement.

  • We will maintain mutual respect, and I will keep confidential your personal information and the results of our organizing efforts. 

In Our Contract and agreement, we will outline:

  • What services I am engaged to provide:

    • Organizational and / or Productivity Coaching

    • In-person or Virtual Organizing

    • In-person or Virtual Presentations

  • What services I will not provide:

    • I will provide the services listed only.

    • We both acknowledge that I am not, nor do I hold myself out to be, a therapist, accountant, CPA, interior designer, cleaning service or provider of legal services.

  • Compensation including hourly rate, payment options, and billing agreements including unpaid balances and NSF charges.

  • The Conditions of Service, including a timeline for services, what to do in instances of delay, and our confidentiality agreement.

  • Client’s Commitments:

    • The Client will complete tasks as discussed that are necessary for me to complete my work; 

    • Together we will outline the required tasks, and adjust as deemed necessary and agreeable as work progresses.

    • The Client agrees to reimburse Peace of Mind Professional Organizing, LLC for all purchases made on Client’s behalf and time spent making these purchases at regular hourly rate. 

    • The Client agrees to pay me at our regular hourly rate for time spent researching possible destinations for items to be purged or discarded. I will not sell items on Client behalf.

    • Client agrees to me a minimum of 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours notice will be billed at the full billing rate agreed to in this Contract.

Indemnification and Hold Harmless:  The Client agrees to hold M, Colleen Klimczak, CPO and Peace of Mind Professional Organizing, LLC (“MCK / POM”) harmless against any and all claims for alleged damages suffered by the Client, by his or her property, or by third parties and their property, caused by or alleged to have resulted from any work whether properly or negligently performed for or on behalf of the Client, to indemnify MCK / POM for all costs, damages, settlements or other monetary payments made by MCK, POM to defend against such claims, including attorneys fees, and to cooperate  with MCK / POM in its defense against claims by third parties.

Governing Law, Construction, Representation: This Contract is governed by the laws of the State of Illinois. This Contract shall be construed as if written by both parties and not against any party as drafter.  The Client acknowledges they had the opportunity to consult with an attorney before entering this contract.