I am a believer in the power of project management.
As a professional project manager for twenty years, I have witnessed project success drive business results. I have also proven that project management can change lives and help achieve personal transformation. Now I am sharing some practical tips and techniques that you can use to help achieve your own personal goals, live your best life and become a PM Believer.
Got Rhythm?
Remember going to concerts back before COVID had other plans?
You would sit (more likely stand) in the crowd eagerly waiting for your favorite group to take the stage. The stealthy drummer would sneak out first and start playing that beat that you would recognize anywhere. The bass player would join in and start playing that bassline that you can feel in your chest. Then, musician by musician, each layer is added until that song you came to hear is in full swing.
The one thing that pulls all the parts together is the common rhythm they each follow. When they hit that rhythm, their groove is so perfect that you, and thousands of your fellow fans, can’t help but to dance along.
That rhythm is powerful and holds that classic song and the audience together until the final note. Where would music be without that shared rhythm?
The power of a good rhythm isn’t limited to music.
When a project team comes together in rhythm, the project goals are unstoppable.
A project’s rhythm is the backbone that holds everybody together when each person plays their own complex part. A project’s rhythm is provided by the cadence of meetings and other “ceremony” processes such as status reporting, project plan updates and the like.
These rhythm processes bring a project team together at a time and with a structure that is predictable and efficient. They minimize the need for the interruptive one-off meetings, and “hey, you got a sec?” taps on the should that interrupt each person as they play their part. A predictable rhythm of project communications also keeps the “where are you with the project?” questions at bay.
As you stray from the formal projects at the office into your personal goals, the project rhythm is equally as valuable. You likely won’t be hosting executive steering committee meetings or producing weekly status reports for stakeholders in these personal projects. So, your project’s rhythm has a bit of a different flavor.
In projects, a rhythm is a routine that the team follows. Similarly, for your personal goals, turning the work into a routine or set of habits helps keep your goal on track. They do so through two main benefits:
- Compounding effect: through habits, you make micro-steps toward your goal with each iteration, and then you iterate over and over again, building on what you have already accomplished until you reach your goal. Your rhythm turns your big goal into bite-size pieces.
- Removes decision-making: when something becomes a routine or habit, it eliminates the need to make a daily decision about what to do. So, if you head to the gym every day at 7 AM, that habit will likely carry you through those days that you would have otherwise decided to skip.
Where can you turn your goal into a routine? I already mentioned the gym habit above, but there are countless ways to turn your goals into a routine.
- I want to be a millionaire. Could you automatically put the first ten percent of every check into savings and investments to start building your fortune?
- I want a better job. Could you reach out to one person in your network every day to keep connections alive?
- I want a 4.0 GPA. Could you set aside a specific time dedicated to studying and homework each day?
The list goes on and on. No matter your goal, there are some steps towards it that you can take every day. A quick “pro tip” is to automate your routine when possible to further remove your need to decide between success and failure.
Once you’ve got rhythm, you’ve got habits. You’ve got success. Who could ask for anything more?
Are you ready to be a PM Believer?
Like good music, projects need to follow a rhythm to stay on track. A project’s rhythm is why there are regular meetings, status reports and other recurring processes. Your personal goal projects are no exception. While you probably aren’t prepping for an executive steering committee, you still need to find the rhythm to carry you to your goal.
Do you need a little help with building your rhythm? I am here to help. Click Here to learn more about my Operation Melt coaching services.
Learn More About My Story
Want to know more about how I changed my life with project management? Pick up your copy of my book Operation Melt: How I Used Life-Changing Project Management to Lose Over 100 Pounds In Under a Year.
About Operation Melt
Operation Melt provides engaging, practical content and hands-on coaching to inspire, motivate and equip you to achieve your big goals.
Will you join me in building a world where goals never die of loneliness?
