Stressful Times

How you react during crisis  and manage your stress level tells a lot about you.

If you are like me where crisis strikes rarely, moments like this can be turned into learning experiences.

There are few things to keep in mind:

Handling pressure- Having to deal with the pressure is good perhaps because it keeps you alert and open. It also suddenly teaches you lessons of a lifetime in handling it and keeping your sanity itact also at the same time.

To learn more about stress and learning to handle it, read this.

Using the time effectively- When you encounter situations where decisions have to be made quickly, everyone wants to make the right use of time. 

Ensure:

·         You know your current situation based on reality and not assumptions

·         You know your goal and what you want to decide

·         You are aware of the time factor and not procrastinating decisions

·         You are using time effectively for your own benefit.

To learn more on stress management click here 

Support – Your social support is perhaps one of the most important thing at this point. If you are lucky, you already have a strong array of family and friends there for you. No one can make the decision for you, however they can be your sounding board to test ideas, talk about other options and just the fact that they area round you is enough to keep you going.

Creating Opportunity- You might not be writing a blog post out of it, but you sure can take the time to make the best decision for you based on the opportunities you have. 

Chances are you are more open to earning more about yourself and what you can do, this might be the best time to try out things you have been waiting to try.  Your acceptance of the situation and willingness to try new things can bring up more than you have been expecting. Before you decide, listen to everyone, look into every single details and most importantly listen to yourself. Don’t let the confusing time drag you down. Make the decision that works best for you- emotionally and professionally.

Vulnerability- When in tough situations especially if it is publicly known, feelings of vulnerability are natural.  It almost like standing in the glass box where people pass by freely with their opinions about you.  The fear of being judged on everything is a nightmare but if you look into more calmly, you will realize you get to know you, your fears which you have been avoiding and things that you haven’t really noticed before.  Use this as an opportunity to know from others and you what you should be working on, where you lack and what you can do about it.

If it can happen to pros, its ok if it happens to you.

Listen you your body- It never lies. You knew this was coming you just wasn't prepared for it. Next time, when your body gives up, don't take it for granted. it has more to say than we realize.

Want to read more and reduce your stress, try here .

(Pic Courtesy)

Interview with Cornelius Fichtner

Todays interview is with none other than Cornelius Fichtner, PMP who has been working as a Project Manager in his native Switzerland, in Germany and in the USA for the last 18 years and received his PMP credential in April 2004. Currently, Cornelius helps project managers to stay on top of the industry with his free Project Management Podcast and helps them pass the PMP Exam with The PM PrepCast. His passions obviously are project management methodologies and PMOs.


You are known for your podcast. How did this all start and how did you come up with the idea?
It's all my wife's fault  because in 2004 she gave me an iPod for my birthday. At first, I was just listening to music and some books. Then the first podcasts arrived and I realized that there wasn't one for project managers. At first, I dismissed the idea to create one several times until I finally decided to start The Project Management Podcast at www.pm-podcast.com late in 2005. The mission of this podcast has been "Bringing project management to beginners and experts" ever since.


I have to mention that I am a big fan of your prepcast and love it and am going to use it for my PMP preparation- what suggestions do you have for people getting ready for CAPM and PMP?
The first step in becoming a CAPM or PMP has to be the mandatory reading of the CAPM Handbook or the PMP Handbook, readily available from PMI. Once you understand the certification process, then it's time to read the PMBOK Guide 3 times, read a PMP Prep Book in parallel and take a prep class as well. In regards to classes I always recommend that people first contact their local PMI chapter because chapters often offer good quality prep classes. 


For those who don't have the time to go to an in-person class, there is always my own PM PrepCast which allows you to earn your 35 required contact hours on your iPod or other portable player. 


After about 3 weeks of study, it is also time to start testing your self on sample questions. Begin using the free ones available on the web and then you must subscribe to a paid online service, where you can take simulated PMP exams.


Any memorable experience while doing your podcast?
In episode #50 I interviewed Max Wideman (www.maxwideman.com), who is one of the most well respected project managers in the USA. I was amazed by his friendliness, graciousness and depth of understanding of project management as a discipline. There is a reason why he has been so successful in his career. And then, in episode 100 I was star struck because I had a chance to interview musician Alan Parsons from the Alan Parsons Project. He has always been a favorite musician of mine (my iPod is full of his music), so having him on the program was fun.


Did you always plan to become a project manager?
Does anyone?


Three qualities every project manager should have?

• Flexibility, because when you arrive at your office tomorrow morning, I can almost guarantee that much of what you had planned to do may not turn out exactly as you had expected.
• Empathy, because you are going to have to deal with dozens of people every day and in order to be successful you must be able to think how they do, understand what makes them tick and communicate in a way that makes sense to them.
• A sense of humor, because you are spending at least 8 hours at work every day and if your work isn't fun or you cannot make it fun, then why are you doing it?

Last three books you read.
I very rarely read books any more. I listen to them on my iPod

• Dr. Nathaniel Branden - The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
• Robert A. Heinlein - Stranger in a strange land (this would be my 4th time hearing it)

What inspires you everyday to do what you do (working full time and yet make the time for podcasts and new applications for PMP exams)?
2 years ago, I made project management training my full time job. This means, that I have moved over to "The Dark Side" and I am now a project sponsor, who has a lot of PMs reporting to him, so that we can deliver all the great products that we do. But frankly, the thing that keeps me going are people writing me a short email saying that they have passed their exam and how much my training materials have helped them.


Cornelius is the 2007 Chair of the Project Management Institute Orange County Chapter. He currently lives in Silverado, California, USA with his wife and their four computers. 

Placing ads

The winner for PMP exam iphone flashcard application is Dana James. Congratulations Dana!

By the way, since I get too many requests for placing ads in my site and in the blog, hopefully the advertise section will provide the answers you are looking for.

In case it still doesn't, feel free to email me.

Iphone flashcard Giveaway

Looking for another giveaway- look no further.


If you would like a free iPhone free PM application app, all you have to do is sign up at SIPM  and then email us or post in Facebook that you want the app. Remember to send your full name in the email, so I know you have also signed up for SIPM.


Last day to send email is Sept 20. 

Lessons from NYC

My vacation is over. 


New York was fantastic; weather was good and am loaded with good memories and great time.


The best part was meeting some inspiring people and seeing why they are so good at what they do. Here are some New York City NYC flavors for you:


•Being around ambitious people works- you see other people implementing their careers and you not only get more information but also learn great things simply by observing them. In NYC you are rubbing shoulders with the best everyday.
•They love their careers, not jobs- attachment to their current location is zero, what they are striving for everyday is more opportunities, more money and take every chance to grow.
•Networking is part of their lifestyle- they are always looking for new contacts, saving phone numbers and keeping in touch.
•They stay updated and gearing up everyday for the next move- reading, taking up classes and stay in top of their games everyday. It’s an initiative NYC professional don’t take for granted.


So, whichever city you are in, its time to be inspired!


(Pic Courtesy: Soma.
by the way if you happen to visit NYC- try out Bubba Gump at Time Square- great food and wonderful place)