Keeping up with the Pace

If you have a list to get things done, but they never get done- this post is for you. May be a certification that you have wanted to go for, a personal goal you wanted to reach.

I set up too many things for me and sometimes just cant keep up with the pace. It's not the time, its the motivation that slows down the run.

My outlook towards this year has mostly been to be happy and be healthy. And with my birthday coming up in April- that's my gift to myself. As simple as it sounds, its very challenging for me.

I ended up thinking and reviewing everything about my life. I have cleaned up my personal database of negativity to an extent and will override the rest with a shot of positivity.  Or at least that's what I think.

I have always been a visual person. Like I like reading books than hearing it.

So, for the last one month I have been tinkering with this idea of creating my own set of motivation cards. Here's what I did:

• Browsed through Pinterest and downloaded the one's I liked the most
• I got them printed in simple basic format as you would any snaps
• I have a set of 12, I have plans to keep adding to them
• I keep them at my desk at home.
• It works.

When my days haven't been very smooth and fun, just flipping through the cards brings back my perspective. It's worth a try.

So, try what makes you calmer. It's worth a shot.

(Pic courtesy: Soma Bhattacharya)

Catching up

Good Morning folks, heading off to a very interesting day.


Stopping by to say hello and you can almost follow my day by following me in instagram or twitter. 

I hope you have a good one that refreshes your mind and more :)

(Pic courtesy: Soma Bhattacharya)

5 Years- that’s how long it took

I like having the constraint in my flow, to ensure I also deliver.

Don’t get me wrong, I like to creative as my next door neighbor, however working within certain limits also ensure I actually do something about it. 

I don’t know about you, I always function better when I am very busy. I know what I have to do next and I just get it done.

Except that I have always struggled with certain parts of my life- like exercising. It’s been a constant goal in my life for the longest time and I have often fallen off the wagon and had difficulties getting on to it. I read articles where sharing with friends and creating accountability helps and where not sharing helps- tried both and failed. I always don’t do things to please others, so when I stopped- I stopped.

I wasn’t also creating excuses, I was busy and I just didn’t know how to fit it all. So, I failed. It didn't top my priority.

This year, I didn’t include getting back in shape or exercising in my new year resolution. I wasn’t doing it anyways. Instead, I decided to make smaller changes to my lifestyle. Nope, they are not the same- because I never committed to get on the treadmill. I just ate more at home, tried to get in a fruit everyday and created a routine around it. And gave up sugar. Well not completely, I still have a cake once in a while; however I just don’t buy it for the sake of having it. I drink my tea without sugar and I have learned to enjoy the taste.

And yeah, I did get up on the treadmill and found a way to incorporate it within the routine. I tried the elimination trick. I eliminated ways that would ensure I fail.

This is my second month and I do get through the office gym door 5 times a week every day for 45- 60 minutes.  Not sure if this is too early to elaborate and celebrate, I will feel great. I like that I haven’t fallen off the wagon and I did make the small changes. Oh yes and I do have a burger to celebrate :)

• Every week I add something new to my routine
• I have friends now in the gym
• I do eat home cooked meal the entire weekday
• I eat more fruits and veggies
• I juice veggies once a in a while
• I create motivation cards
• I don’t focus on loosing weight, so I don’t use a weighing machine.
• I just work out everyday

And this took me 5 years to get to.

Okay, so why dish out my personal story? So if you have been struggling to keep up with your goals, don’t GIVE UP yet. Just find out why you have been giving up- what’s the emotion you go through just before you give up? And then find a way to ensure you don’t go through the same emotions and that might just keep you in the wagon forever. 

(Pic courtesy: Soma Bhattacharya)

Job Openings

Hello there! How have you been?
I thought I should let you know on some of the openings in the job world happening right now.

I have never done it before, posting it on the blog...however, I thought since I get them a  lot, why not put it up for you. If this help you find a job you love, that makes it all worthwhile.

So, here are a few:
Project Manager (United Health Group)- Hyderabad (India)
Project Manager – Job No. 639359
 
Responsibilities include:
• Perform all phases of software engineering including requirements analysis, application design, code development and testing
• Design and implement product features in collaboration with business and IT stakeholders
• Design reusable components, frameworks and libraries  Requirements include:
• B.Tech/MCA/Graduation (Minimum 16 years of formal education, Correspondence courses are not relevant).
• 10 + years in the software engineering profession
• Demonstrated success designing and building high-quality commercial software applications  Consider your future and apply here  

This came in through Mae Anne Jose

Agile Coach - Hyderabad (India)

Job Functions: Manages and guides the Scrum Masters in the Hyderabad office to ensure the highest Agile standards are uniformly met Acts as an Agile Coach in coaching teams and respective Scrum Masters daily on Scrum principles - and advises project teams outside their jurisdiction on best practices

• Works with product management to ensure Product Backlogs are stocked, scoped appropriately, and prioritized 
• Works with development teams to groom Product Backlogs in preparation for Sprint Planning Meetings Prepares and leads Sprint Planning Meetings 
• Leads Daily Scrums and removes impediments Monitors Sprint Burndown Charts and maintains other productivity metrics 
• Protects the Sprint Backlog from scope creep Acts as liaison between stakeholders and teams to negotiate Sprint scope
• Coordinates Backlog Refinement Meetings with Product owner and team Facilitates Sprint Review Meetings, using outcome to work with product management in updating the Product Backlog Facilitates Sprint Retrospective Meetings and expedite plans for improvement 
• Tracks release planning Uses Kanban and XP practices where applicable Adapts project management framework to stakeholder, project, and team needs Applies traditional waterfall, SDLC approaches where necessary, managing milestones and deliverable of each phase of the project life cycle Monitors and documents project variance 
• Communicates clearly and consistently with stakeholders about project status and be preemptive when problematic issues arise Manages risks and have risk mitigation plans in place Identifies dependencies within program and strategies how to schedule dependencies with the greatest resource usage efficiency Dissects our corporate workflow, assesses how the program fits best within it, and advises on improvements Assists Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) in implementing Agile best practices, processes and tools 
• Assists Project Management Office (PMO) in compiling regular updates for senior management, coordinating company-wide demos and assisting in development projects as necessary 

Qualifications: Required

• 7+ years of project management experience in software development using Agile and traditional SDLC methodologies 
• 5+ years of Scrum Master experience 5+ years of managing technical teams and complex technical projects Bachelor’s or Master’s degree CSM (Certified Scrum Master) certification 
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership and ability to create collaborative, productive teams 
• Preferred PMP certification Experience working successfully with external clients Experience with JIRA and Confluence.

Contact:

Achut Menon 

Email: menon@optionsindia.com   

Since  most of  the openings came directed at me, the location is obviously not very global.for these. Sometimes I do have global openings as well sent and I will be happy to post them here. 

Meanwhile if you are a recruiter, feel free to connect so, I can post the openings both here and in the SIPM Community. 

(Pic courtesy: Google images)

Weekend Activities

My weekend was different. I missed the lazying around perhaps, however it all ended up pretty well.
That's the table I was part of and what do you see?
Where do you think I was?

IAMLISTENING- Giveaway

If you have read the last post, you know I am trying to start the year right.

While I am excited for February and talking to 2 wonderful people and be part of their journey, I am waiting for conversations for March and April.

However, this post is about the Giveaway that Elizabeth Harrin, Director Otobos Group has been very kind enough to do.

It's getting privileged access to Better Project Status Reports online course. For more details about the giveaway click here -  its the e-book and online course of value £49.

To win it, you can be on the of 6 people I will be talking to OR you can email your story at (steppingintopm at gmail.com). it should be about what inspires you to work harder to become a project manager. Send in your stories by March 30.

I AM LISTENING

If you are part of SIPM or heard of it, told a friend about it- you know that there has always been an interest to give back to the community that has given so much to me.

I am indebted to so many for giving me the opportunity, a second chance, reading my blog, supporting me when I have doubted myself and keeping me inspired- so introducing I AM LISTENING ( to you).

This is a combination of an idea and effort where I open up a slot of 20 minutes (over Skype or Google Hangout) to listen to you from February-April- twice a month.

I would like to just listen in to your stories of –

• Personal inspiration and struggles to make it in the professional world, even if it’s not project management.
• I would like to listen if you have had a mentor who has changed your life
• I would like to know if you have connected with someone using the SIPM platform
• How has your determination paved your own destiny

I will also take up:

• Questions on career, growth, job changes, hurdles, mentorship.
• Connect you/suggest someone can help you along the way

So, for individuals who would like me to LISTEN, please send me an email with the subject line as “I AM LISTENING”, in the body please mention:

• Your full name
• Profession
• Location
• What you would like me to LISTEN about/Your story
• Email
• Your LinkedIn/blog/twitter link (optional)
• Month you would prefer to connect(Feb-April)

Right now its open from Feb to April, so only 6 people can get the slot. Once I connect with you, I will send a calendar link with open timings and work around a common time between Friday-Sunday.

And I know I will need a lot of help in this as well, so if you are an organization or individual that would like to partner up or help someone as well, feel free to send an email or tweet and we will connect with you. Your subject line in email should be “IAMLISTENING-Partnership”.

This could be as simple as opening up a summer internship opportunity, could be opening for a job, something as simple as giving them a 10 minute slot to connect with you or providing your services of online mentoring, a free giveaway of an online course, a peek into your tool, a 50 percent off on your e-book.

Of course, there’s no charge from my end and I would hope the same for partnering up individuals or organizations. However, if you do decide to charge; please mention the fee for your services in the email.

For IAMLISTENING- Partners, please include:

• Point of contact’s name
• Name of Organization you represent
• Location
• Website
• Your email
• Phone
• Category of Service
• Details of service
• Charges (if any)

If you have questions around this please email(steppingintopmatgmail.com) or tweet (@Soma_b) or facebook me with the hashtag #SIPM

(Pic courtesy: Google images)

Happy Weekends

Pic courtesy: Pinterest

My Morning Routine (weekdays)

My weekday’s mornings like everyone are always structured. Mondays are different from the rest of the week because I prep a bit for the weekend for Monday mornings. I want a stress free start to the week.

• 7.30 am- wake up. By now I have probably been up twice or thrice at night, sometimes at a stretch depending on Rio. I am not a morning person; however I almost never sleep past this. Starts with getting Rio his bottle, changing diapers, hugging him and then heading to the kitchen.
• 8.00am- Coffee in hand, I put the brown rice to boil and head to clean up my bed. Rio follows me around the house and sometimes he will be busy with his toys (read cars). I come back to chop veggies and get the brown rice stir fry done- that’s my usual lunch. I have checked my phone by now- emails and whatsapp.
  
• 8.30am- Lunch is packed- brown rice stir fry with veggies, a small bowl of salad/yogurt. Breakfast is oats (masala oats) that I will start around now, sometimes with a side of eggs. Meanwhile I will also, go layout my clothes, pack my stuff, go through my office calendar. Some days if I have the time, I will go through my Happiness Diary, may be read through the old pages or sometimes scribble in a line or two.
• 9.00am- Nanny arrives. Breakfast is ready and I head to the shower. Get dressed and have breakfast. I detail out Rio’s food plans for the day and head out by 9.30
• 10.30am- I have gone through my emails and replied, had my first cup of tea and have taken the day head on.
• 11.30am- I try to walk around a little, even if that means walking over to the water cooler or around the floor or sometimes take a flight of steps to be a little more active. I check my phone app-Pacer to see my count of steps and get back to work again.

This is what most of my weekdays look like, weekends are obviously very different. What’s yours?

(Pic courtesy: Google Images)                         

Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New Year 2016.

It’s the holiday season and I hope you are enjoying the time with your colleagues, friends and family.... winding down, reflecting on the days gone by and moving forward.

This year has been very different for me, while I have had troubles keeping up with blog at times- I have learned a lot many things professionally. I have also traveled every week for 7 months, coped up with the stress, lived in another city (Mumbai, India), made new friends, busy running after Rio( my son) since he started walking and changed jobs.

Amidst all of this, I have figured my goals over the years have changed- for me being content (or possibly happy) and having a positive lifestyle is more important. And yes, that’s my goal moving on.

So, next year will be full of surprises for you as well as for me- and of course some cool giveaways coming up next year. 

3 things I started in 2015 and would like to continue in 2016:

•          Happiness journey- I take a step everyday to ensure I am putting in the effort to be happy. Mostly by end of the day I will open up my red diary and scribble a line or two. Sometimes when I am not feeling myself, I will go back and read the diary. I fill it up with positive thoughts. I am not a scrapbook person, but I have to admit I did buy a set of colorful pens to feel perked up doing it. And I love stationery.
•          Planner- This is very new to me, I have always kept online calendars and reminders for meetings and birthdays like everyone. However sometimes, jotting down things can do wonders too. I like my planner, a simple one, where I divide it into sections and have been trying to keep lists. It’s supposed to free up your mind space. I find it quite productive and relaxing as well. So, yes this is gonna continue.
•          Transformation-This is all rolled into one, it’s my journey towards positive well being and being happy. I take small steps- like just trying to close my minds and not judge myself ( I wouldn’t call it meditation) because I can’t stop my thoughts. Some days, I will just take a walk after dinner or read something positive, or remove toxicity from my life. I try to read more which is something that took the back burner for the last few months. It depends honestly and I have just started exploring.

How is it related to project management you ask?

I say- because YOU will always reflect in your work. If you are mentally way more stable, relaxed and happy- you will do better work. Happiness is a chain reaction. Also, the fact that Happy people pursue the most difficult problems 

I wish you a very Happy New Year and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there with me this year.

I leave you with a snapshot of what I have been doing this holiday season- a pic from the family lunch yesterday:) 

(Pic courtesy: Soma Bhattacharya)