When I started in the field of project management my focus was
learning the mechanics associated with project management. Learning about pillars
of project management outlined in the Project Management Body of knowledge
focusing on doing each of these areas of study to the best of my ability. Learning
how to convey clearly and concisely where a project was, what was happening,
how it was going, where the pitfalls were, and what areas needed attention. I
became successful doing project management. Managing larger projects, high
profile projects, and delivering for the clients of the organizations for which
I worked. The thing that wasn’t working is that the relationships I had with
the teams I worked with was lacking. Frequently I sacrificed relationships for
getting the job done, driven to succeed at all costs. I didn’t realize that I
was also sacrificing myself, working long hours and not finding much joy or
pleasure in the work I was doing.
Today, I would venture to say I have many project management
skills. I have my PMP certification and continue to study project management
and the techniques and tools that support project managers. I’ve studied many
methodologies, read many project management texts, and practice using various
techniques daily. I’ve mastered scheduling tools, spreadsheets, and other software
used to convey project status. I’ve enhanced my technical skills so that most
of the constructs that are needed to discuss and deliver on time and on
schedule are weaved into what I do daily. I’ve played a “how many by when for
how much” game for a long time and have applied the tools and techniques to my
life outside of work.
Learning all the tools and techniques available continues to
shape and mold my personal project management abilities and style. Having a
large and full toolbox allows me to shift when something isn’t working, to apply
the best tool for the circumstances, and to leverage those tools that apply to
most projects to their fullest. What has been most enlightening are the tools
and techniques associated with mindfulness, meditation, and intention. These
areas of practice have not only changed what I do, it has change how I do
things, and most importantly how I show up to others. This also extends into my
personal life. What is most interesting is that, while I’ve studied and read a
great deal about these practices and worked to apply the teachings of these
practices to my work, I’ve discovered that it isn’t possible to learn these
alone. What I mean by that is that it requires feedback to learn and grow and
feedback comes from other people.
Feedback is provided to us every moment of everyday either
directly or indirectly. Life is a feedback rich environment when we pay
attention and listen. Mindfulness and meditation support us in being present to
the feedback we are receiving, and intention is the lens through which the
feedback flows allowing us to use the feedback to further ourselves and our
intention. Amazingly, when we stop and notice, we provide ourselves feedback on
a regular basis as well. I’m not talking about the voice that is the critic, I’m
talking about the emotional feedback of laughter, smiling, tears, and other
emotions. They are our physical feedback. While we may judge that feedback,
learning to be in relationship with these feelings and looking at them as
feedback is healthy. I’m also talking about the feedback our bodies provide us,
the sore backs, tight shoulders, or other physical ailments. These also provide
us valuable information.
Over the next few weeks, we will explore intention,
meditation, mindfulness, and feedback. If you choose to join me, we will start
the day with intention and meditation. We will become aware of the feedback
being provided by circumstances, people, and ourselves. We will capture moments
throughout the day and capture what worked and what didn’t work. We will then
look to shift what didn’t work and double down on what worked using our
intention to further ourselves and our practices. Life is an adventure, what
are you practicing today?
