Enjoy!
Searching for apartments
So, here I'm trying to set up with all things necessary- apartment, phone, internet- one long checklist. While i look for an aparment near my office, here are some of my favorite readings you can browse:
Check-in
By the time you read this- perhaps Monday morning, I'll be travelling accross continents.So, the next post will come later part of the week after I have my internet connection set up. So, till I struggle with overweight luggage and move things around trying to balance it- enjoy your week ahead.
(Pic Courtesy:Google Images)
Where's your mentor?
I have written about mentoring before and I think its one of the most important things to focus on while you are trying to find a ground for yourself in the professional world.
I read Alec's post the other day and thought would share it with you as well. Here are links related to mentoring I have written before:
Calculative risk- take one. Anyone?
So, when something needs to be done and you have waited your turn and outgrown it and nothing seems to work, that’s when you take a calculative risk.
•Analyze- why you should take the risk and not wait another month?
•Check all your facts before taking the plunge.
•You have cross checked all alternatives and they don’t work.
•Be ready to accept that the risk might fall flat and not work and you have to live with the consequence.
•Take the risk, only when you are have strong of chances of getting it done. That way its worth the preparation that you have to take to take the risk
•Go prepared when you take the risk.
So, if you think getting into project management might be a risk (career change/ stream change), prepare for it and then go ahead and take one. Talk to people and instead of waiting for a lifetime on how you should go about doing it- go do it.
Take a calculative risk.
Weakest moments are the strongest lessons
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They can change you forever, only if you can turn around and look into your own eyes and accept that you are afraid.
Being afraid is good.
Always good because you learn that you are not upto the mark for the task which lies ahead of you and that’s one thing that will help you to turn things around.Once you know why you are afraid, go do your favorite activity. Come back when you mind is free and happy and train your mind to understand that you can’t let it happen for ever, so for once- you will have to stand up for yourself and face the fear!
Write down what you think should be done, even if you are scared doing it. Now you have the agenda planned. Think and visualize how you will feel once you have walked over the obstacles that you won’t have to worry about it again. Best part- you will always have the guts to turn another weakest moments.
So why afraid- because it’s always associated to failure. I agree its mind numbing but if you have to get over it, you have to.
Last time, I was scared it took me 3 days to get over it. I found a quotation that I stuck to my purse and saw it everyday till I was ready to do it. I was ready to faint when I had to get it done- so I did it.
Once you have done it once, next time it’s easier. What are you waiting for?
You will never know how it feels, unless you have done it!
(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)
In Transition Mode
I am a self confessed reader on the net. I can read for hours, browsing through sites and looking for information.
I particularly don't like the fact when one of my favorite blogs or sites dont have content day after day; it kind of breaks the rythm. Finally- I am guilty of this as well.
I'm so aware that I haven't posted in a while and left no explanation in my blog that I am mad at myself.
Anyways the point of all this rambling is "I'm sorry readers'. I should have let you know.
I am in transition mode, changing location in a few days and the pressure of work and numerous paperwork has kept me on my toes.
So, I'll be posting on the blog and when I finally make the move and won't have internet at my disposal- I'll let you know.
PM job site in London
If you are from London and from the project management fraternity, this might interest you- here's a new job site in the market specifically for project managers.
Improvement- checklist
If you have been working towards your goal for quite sometime now, have you sat back on a weekend and assessed how you have been doing? It is as important to know if you are in the right track as it is to work smart.
•Review your diary/blog and see where you were one year ago goal wise
•How fruitful has the journey been? Have you accomplished your benchmarks?
•Has the projects been in tune to what you want to work in and as?
•Have you taken a PM certification or are you working towards it?
•How many project managers have you spoken to?
•Has your networking grown?
•Do you have the same routine in work that you had a year back?
•Have you been recognized for team work, or leadership or initiative?
•List three things you have done in the last 1 year that has helped you grow and share it with friends.
•List 3 things you have to work on seriously this year.
•Mark your defining moment.
•What keeps your dreams fired up? Write them down and pin it to the wall.
•Where should you be in a year and in what role?
•Keep up the good work and as they say- you will be rewarded!
Exit strategy from Elizabeth
I read this few days ago and really liked it. Elizabeth as always is a fabulous writer, very catchy and her writings are injected with information.
If you are thinking of changing your job, this might be handy.
How to train your mind
If there is one thing that can be considered more necessary than building up your communication skills while trying to be a project manager, it has to be training your mind.
It’s the powerhouse, the inner core strength that will take you distances. When untrained, it’s the one that will be responsible for your downfall, the slips in your speech, one wrong action and the oops- you have done it again!
Train your mind by:
Reading more- Reading should not be limited to project management related books/articles only, don’t restrict yourself. Read anything catches your attention, browse through book stores often. You benefit by having a larger base of knowledge that will help you be much more innovative. Understand psychology or strategy - whatever gets your attention.
Toughest of times- It will be hard, it has to. But this is where you will hone your skill for the best. Staying composed in the most difficult of times will earn you that extra brownie later. Train yourself to find ways to soothe your nerves, vent out creatively and use that bursts of energy to re-channelize in something more positive- a way to get out of it. I jot down my problems and work it off like a puzzle. When I am too involved in the problem and can't think straight, I just sleep as much as I can for the next two days and I pick up the problem again later and to my surprise the intensity has weared off.
Be wise and bold- Use your opportunities wisely, be prepared. You never know when the opportunity will come and when it does, you shouldn’t have to pass. When I was learning to drive, a friend of mine told me something that I’ll never forget- never look at the car before you, always look two cars ahead; that way you know what will happen ahead of your time and you will be prepared. Work smart and get to know people.
Blow your own trumpet- If its all show and no work, this will not work. If you are really putting effort into something and doing well, make sure others know about it. You don’t have to be a snob, just make sure people are aware so you are in mind when they schedule the next resource for the special project. I put it mildly, I tell my Project Manager- Thank you for allowing me to do this, I really learnt a lot and if you are interested and have the time; this is what I did (show your work/email the matter).
Persistence will pay off- How long can you hold on to your dreams? More closer you are to achieving it the harder it gets. Train yourself, so you don’t disintegrate during the tough times. Diversify the energy, stay calm and be confident in your abilities. It helps me to read books I have been waiting to read or watch movies which inspire me a lot.
Build your confidence- There’s nothing like it. More you know about projects or the inner details of your scope of work, more confident you become. Get external help, talk to people with same job profiles, have as much as information you possibly can. Never be complacent about your job, there’s always something more.
Be Calm- Tough cookie to crack if you can master this. Everyone will tell you including your project manager with 20 years of experience that this is the toughest to achieve. This will differentiate the ready from the naïve. Pressure, conflicts, internal politics, work load, more responsibility, deadlines, miscalculations- nothing can wash of the calm from your face. Think deeply, find your strengths and weaknesses and work extra hours to know yourself. What triggers you and what you can do to stop reacting immediately? For me personally, I have tried to stretch out my reaction time. If I am mad, I write the email and let it sleep over night. I come back next morning and read the email over and over again , edit it and in some cases even delete it. Dont burn bridges, world's too small. Like one of my favorite professor told me- learn to keep a poker face, thats what my professor told me.
