Unveiling Project SPUD

I was approached this week to manage a project for my church - I don't know where they got the idea that a PMP could help out with this :)

Project SPUD is our code name. We are going to host a booth at the Wapping Fair on the weekend of Sept 10 - 13, 2009 and sell baked potatoes with toppings.

It seems simple, right? Well, we already have 4 pages of plans, including trying to estimate quantities of orders and rate of sale.

This is a fun community project and I am looking forward to working with the fine folks at Wapping Community College over the next 6 weeks.

It is a great way to give back, see project management in action for volunteer efforts and expose regular folk to the benefits of applying project management discipline.

Watch this space for more to come on Project SPUD.

(Believe me, we will use the fewest spreadsheets imaginable, and a very simple project dashboard. I will die a happy man if I never see a Green, Red or Yellow spreadsheet in my life again).

When you can't "Just do it"

Have you ever had a goal that you can't achieve? You try to lose the last 5 pounds, but can't bring yourself to choke down another bowl of salad. You want to write your next (of first book), but the weeks and months fly by with nothing on paper.

You keep saying to yourself "I must get out there and do it". "I will try harder next week". "No matter what it takes, I will pay the price".

Yeah right! The fact is that if you could just "... get out there and do it", then you would have done it and this would not be an issue for you.

As a coach, my ears perk up when I hear the phrases above. Words such as "just do it" are prime indicators that you are facing an obstacle, don't know how to get around it, and think that you need to keep on doing the same things to get a different result. I bet that you will get the same result if you keep on doing what you are doing now.

Forcing yourself harder to do something which isn't working for you, sure doesn't sound like fun, does it? You will be even more frustrated when you fail yet again, so stop trying to "just do it". Go and look in the mirror and say to yourself "just doing it isn't doing it for me".

The fastest way to stop saying "just do it", and move to "got it done", is to work with your professional coach. An abbreviated conversation should go something like this:

You: "I don't know what is wrong with myself. I know that I can get up 15 minutes earlier each morning to meditate, yet I can't get up in the morning. I am going to set my alarm even earlier and just do it".

Coach: "What held you back from meditating this morning?"

You: "I don't know. I just didn't feel like it".

Coach: "How would you feel if your were looking forward to meditating?"

You: "I would feel inspired, and looking forward to getting up early and savoring the peace of the new day".

Coach: "What would make you feel like this tomorrow".

You: "I would be calm before I go to bed tonight. I would prepare my place for meditation, with my reading and have a clear desk before I go to bed tonight".

Coach: "Can you do that this evening?"

You: "YES. This is what was holding me back. I need to prepare the night before".


Every time someone says "I am going to just put myself out there", or "I am just going to do it", you know they won't (using the same logic as before, if you were going to do it, then we would not be having this conversation).

Look deeper. Work with your coach. Find out why you are not "just doing it" now. Look for a pragmatic change that you can make in your approach so that you can get it done, without telling yourself to "just do it".

How to maximize accomplishments

We all have limited time on this earth. Too much work, too little time. For some of us, the clock is ticking faster and louder every day. Project managers are usually overworked, and my impression is that if a project manager is not overworked, then ... (well, you get the idea).

Hence my low tolerance for email abuse such as emailing a distribution list of 20 people when you decide to go to the bathroom. The "Reply All" button should be removed from all email client applications, to assist the slow learners.

Alan Weiss posted excellent tips on how to get a lot of work accomplished. Follow the link to find out how you can dramatically improve your output and set the example for your project team to get more work done than any project management or time management expert can comprehend.

P.S. Wouldn't it be ironic if I invested time in trying to define my own time management tips, instead of referring you to Alan's posting? How much rework does your project team engage in, instead of reusing the best practises around?

5 traits undermining a person's ability to manage projects well

Are you exhibiting any of these traits? Perhaps one or more have your career on hold. Solicit feedback from a trusted advisor if in doubt.

1. Inability to build rapport with team members, project sponsors and stakeholders.
2. Reliance on formal power to execute the project, not on professional relationships.
3. Placing low priority on maintaining a current project plan.
4. Allowing scope creep without assessing impact to project.
5. Allowing project issues to linger and fester.

These traits are correctable. Take action and begin to manage more projects to success, today.

Excellent sailing - 7/11/2009

The photos say it all :)

Today was a wonderful day on the good ship Asterix.. Good friends, excellent weather and a sighting of the spectacular sail yacht - Timoneer. (Do a google search for Timoneer to see her specifications.)

Going sailing today

We are leaving shortly, to go sailing today with friends on the good ship Asterix.

We will be discussing the best way to leverage Internet technologies that allow small business to thrive in this economy, while setting sails and learning sailing skills. - I will be learning the sailing skills, because I understand bits, bytes, IP Protocols, and professional coaching, but don't understand wind driven sail-boats :) (You want me to tack what?)

This is one way to staying busy, and never be bored. If you are bored today, then read my note on facebook, to become unbored.

4th of July BBQ

We had an enviable BBQ this afternoon, with juicy steaks cooked to perfection by the experienced chef.

I tried to send this photo to Facebook from my phone, but no success yet. I would never have imagined I would have a need to upload photos from my mobile phone, but this is just one more example of how we must continue to be lifelong learners. You never know what you will learn in the next 5 years.

Only one day left of our long weekend. :(

Eagle Scout Project

Today, I was out helping a scout on his Eagle Scout Project. We installed markers on fire hydrants around our town (South Windsor), to make the hydrants visible in the snow.

It was a great day for working outside, and the leaders of Troop 880 collaborated to support this Eagle project, just as they have supported other projects over the past years.

Zap the toleration

Today is the start of the 4th of July weekend in the USA. Fabulous firework displays light up the skies in most towns around our home, despite the unseasonal rain that we have experienced this past week.

4th of July celebrates Independence day in the USA, when American citizens stopped tolerating the British. Essentially, they said "Enough is enough" and they zapped the toleration.

As you celebrate this weekend, take a few minutes to consider having your own personal Independence day. What is bothering you that is draining your energy? What are you tolerating in your office, on your desk, or you home that you want to repair or replace but haven't gotten to it yet?

I will purchase a new paper shredder over the weekend, and declare independence from the toleration. My current shredder squeaks and requires cajoling to do it's job. It is draining my energy now, and I will zap this toleration over the weekend.

If your desk is a mess, your home needs cleaning, or your workshop has tools on the floor, then this weekend gives you a little extra time to zap those tolerations. Go ahead and remove the things in your life that are draining your energy. Then enjoy the celebration of Independence day and the accompanying festivities.