We Want to Hear From You: What Are You Thankful For?

So, what are you thankful for?

Many countries celebrate a holiday similar to Thanksgiving, which is observed this week in the United States.

Each year there is research that reinforces that being thankful--having a spirit of gratitude--has enormous benefits, from helping you be happier to even living longer.

How about going on record with what you're thankful for this year?

Click here to join our World of Thanks survey. We'll publish the results from people all over the world who join you in saying what they are thankful for.

It's not too difficult to find things to be upset or worried about these days. So let's hear from you what you're thankful for!

Everyone who participates by Friday, November 28, gets a free copy of my e-book How to Organize Your Inbox & Get Rid of E-Mail Clutter. It's my way of saying.... Thanks!

It only takes a minute! Click here now to participate!

Labels: appreciation, World of Thanks

posted by Andy at 11:55 AM  

"Project Management is a life skill"

"Project management is a life skill."

I say this in nearly every workshop I deliver. I know it sounds a bit geeky, but the truth is we're doing projects all the time. Not only can it help us at work.... It can also help at home.

Take this story from Donna, a recent workshop participant:

Hi Andy, Thank you, thank you, thank you! The reason why I attended the Project Management class last week was strictly business/work related. However, the WBS structure Delphi Technique particularly the "wallpapering" portion changed the climate in my house to peaceful and the level of my blood pressure to normal! :-) Here's how.... I have a teenage son that's a senior in high school who has a 4.0 gpa with big plans and NO ACTION!!!! Everyday since the first day of school he has carried a list of about 20 college/universities around in his wallet that he would like to attend, coupled with endlessly talk about big plans to play football in college, and would really, really, really like a part-time job to work on the weekends. After many unsuccessful attempts to demand, bribe, motivate, encourage, influence, and even challenge him to take action, my efforts fell on dead soil. This kid did not take ACTION! He only came up with excuses. As I sat on the sofa as usual thinking about what I would try next to give this kid a push, I began to take the work I brought home out of my bag. Guess what came out with it.....THE GOLD SHEET!!! As I looked at what I had written down for the "key things I learned" the fire works went off! I jump up and began to put the WBS Delphi Technique (wallpapering) in motion. (Some tweaking fit the purpose) I also added a daily log. (Something has to be done everyday! Even if it's nothing but adding a task.) Directly in front of my son's room I placed plastic over the wall to protect the paint and created the high level structure. (RED and BLUE in the pic) I chose the wall in front of his room to serve as a reminder every time he exited....... there's work to be done! I then explained to my son what we were doing and turned him loose. He had to add the details. (ORANGE, WHITE, AND YELLOW in the pic). Here's what he has accomplished within a matter of days..... Decreased his list of 20 college/universities down to 5 Scheduled to re-take the ACT Scheduled to take the SAT Completed 3 of the 5 college applications (turned in one including transcript requests) Began the essay portion of the applications Scheduled a meeting with his counselor Began the creation of his football highlight DVD Completed 2 job applications GOT THE PART-TIME JOB!!!!!! (within 3 days!!!!!) As you can see......this system is a lifesaver for my son and an answered prayer for me!!!! Needless to say.....he thinks I'm crazy! ha ha ha! Thanks again!

Way to go, Donna! As we stress in our workshops, this stuff only works when you take action on it. Project management skills are completely actionable and practical to daily life, both at work and home.

Ready to start helping you team (and family!) more reliably deliver? Contact us today!

Labels: project management, work/life balance

posted by Andy at 8:15 AM  

A Good Excuse to Say "Thank You!"

Hey, do you need a reason to celebrate today? Well guess what? The first Thursday of every November is International Project Management Day!

Now how exactly is one to celebrate International Project Management Day? That's a fair question. Increasingly there seems to be a day or month for just about everything. For example, who would have known that November is also Peanut Butter Lovers Month? I can figure out how to celebrate that over lunch today. But how do you celebrate International Project Management Day?

I propose you brainstorm a list of stakeholders who have been actively involved in (or have positively affected) your development as a manager/project manager. Today would be a great day to thank them.

Here are some of mine:

• Diane Conrath and Bob Pawlikowski, who promoted me from being a programmer/analyst to a manager for all the wrong reasons.
• Bill Henry, a former Vietnam vet turned DBA who taught me countless project management lessons through his quirky quips.
• Ron Bieber and Ken Bridgeman, who are some of the most talented technical leaders I ever managed. Or did they manage me?
• Walt Wikman, who encouraged my development and provided many opportunities for higher levels of leadership. He taught me to take a more global mindset to business, and he didn't keep me from speaking at conferences when I was discovering that I really loved doing so.
• Cindy Elzinga, who was one of the toughest bosses I ever worked for but did more to stretch me than any previous manager. I didn't realize it (or like it) at the time, but she greatly prepared me for what I'm doing now.
• Ben Snyder, who took a chance on me as a project management facilitator for Systemation when he was probably overstaffed. I have great respect for Ben as a leader, as a CEO, and as a person.
• Seth Freeman, who was both a joy and pain to work with as a stakeholder... and turned out to be a valued friend.
• Karl Wiegers, who encouraged me to pursue a speaking and writing career and graciously offered advice and feedback during the early days of my business.

There are countless others who have molded my ability to lead people and projects today. How about you? Use today as an excuse to take a moment to thank them.

P.S. I'm thinking real project managers would have come up with an acronym for today! So, fellow PM's, congratulations on IPMD!

Labels: appreciation, leadership, project management

posted by Andy at 9:41 AM