Passion

I am just now recovering from an incredible 10 days at PMI Global World. There is only one word that comes to mind when I sum up the experience: passion.


Passion for the profession, passion for leadership, passion in interactions, passionate conversations, just plain passion. I like to say that I have a passion for the profession that is contagious. However, the passion that I felt from all of you out there was overwhelming.

This week was a culmination of many things. I had the pleasure of graduating from PMI's Leadership Institute Masters Class. I met 25 people from around the world and shared a year long journey with them that was truly life changing. We entered the class as 25 individuals, we left as a family. I was blessed to be one of the co-presenters at our graduation. The class had written down some of their reflections of the experience and I had the chance to share that with attendees of the Leadership Institute Meeting. I can't tell you how many times I fought back tears during that speech. Their comments and just being around them ignited one true feeling: passion.

After graduation, I attended the Leadership Institute which is a gathering of volunteer leaders from all over the world to discuss PMI, it's growth, our challenges, and grow in camaraderie. I heard fantastic presentations including phenomenal speakers such as Rachel Paulson and Troy Hazard to name just a couple. The amount of times I speak at events I am always a critic, but I was blown away by their messages and talent. Their delivery had one key element: passion.

As the Leadership Institute meeting ended, it was nearing the official release of Stop Playing Games. There were so many coincidences occurring on that day. My number in college was 11, the date of the release was October 11, and I was speaking in room 11, on Columbus Day which I reference in the speech and the book. It was a fantastic experience. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting many of the folks behind RMC Project Management: Rita Mulcahy's company. I was struck by their closeness as they embarked on the first major event since Rita's passing. Only one word could describe how they did their jobs: passion.

I thought that so many things would be ending this week. Another Global World is in the books, another book has been launched, and the Masters Class is complete. I took some time to reflect on the experiences. My passion for this profession has grown. My passion for the people, projects, companies, and leaders has grown. My passion to continue the path that I am on and see where this life takes me has grown.

There were several people that I had a chance to meet and others that we had a chance to develop or continue our friendships. To each of you, thank you. There are others that I had a chance to share deeper conversations and passionate commitments to do more, to each of you.......let's make sure we follow through!

For all of you reading this post, take a moment to reflect on the word passion. I personally believe it is the key to a fulfilling career and life. If you don't feel that in your heart, then it is time to find out what you really want. What is it that you are looking for? In fact, it is the new challenge. Find your life's passion. For me, I can honestly say that it is here. Being with you, sharing these experiences, and living life to the fullest. Thank you to all who contribute to this profession and those of you that went out of your way these past 10 days to help grow the passion in my heart.

May you find your life's passion,

Rick

The Project Called......Life.

It has been a whirlwind week and it is only Wednesday!  In the last 2 weeks, I have given 8 speeches in 2 countries and 6 different cities.  I have also made major strides in seeing a huge dream of mine come to fruition.  I am so full of energy, inspiration, and adrenaline as I have seen a dream turn in to an action plan.  What was a wish now has a due date.  What was a vision now has a task list.  As I reflect, I am so blessed to have had an opportunity to learn, teach, and perform the art of project management.  I want to issue you this challenge:  Where is your project plan for your life?

Now I know there are many project managers that get a bit crazy with this and plan their lives down to the 10 minute increment, but that is not what I am talking about.  What I am talking about is the things that we do everyday are the skills and activities that people flock to hear in self-improvement seminars.  We tend to take these things for granted.  Think about it.  What is your plan for the next year?  If you were to attend a commercial course or go hear any variety of motivational speakers, the message is the same.  You must plan your success, it doesn't seek you out.

What are your goals for the coming year, two years, or five years?  What are the building blocks to achieve those goals?  What action can you take now to start down that path?  This is a work breakdown structure for your life!  Some of the most successful systems out there ask you to make a problem statement (i.e. scope).  Then list milestones (key deliverables) and then break the milestones into "mini-goals" (i.e. the next level of the WBS)  Then you take the mini-goals and create actionable tasks.  The final step is to schedule actual work against the actionable tasks, estimate effort and duration, and create a way to measure success.  Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the project plan for your life!

Try it!  It can really be powerful.  This year, my business partner and I set a five year goal and announced a concept.  Each day, I try to plan an activity to move us towards the concept.  In just the past week, the momentum is taking a life of its own and we went from a concept to a planned date, activity, and scope.  It is amazing that we have had the tools all along to assist ourselves in achieving the next level, we just are not using them to our benefit.  They say that the cobbler's kids have no shoes ;)

Let me end with this question.  What are you going to do tomorrow to take the next step in attaining your goals?  If you do not know, then start with your scope.  Then follow your instincts, project management can guide you the rest of the way.  Good luck!

No Day But Today,

Rick