Biggest and Longest Project Ever - LIFE

Recently, I have been using the term 'project' very frequently. Each time an event has been completed, I asked myself, "What's the next project?" When I am going through some times of difficulties, I have a feeling that I am still in the midst of a complicated project and somehow I know that it will take some time and effort before it is completed: because it's a project.

Today, I realize that all these mini projects that I do monthly and the mid-sized projects that I do yearly are all connected. It is part of another bigger project called 'LIFE'. Hence if I break down LIFE, it is made up of multiple projects that are geared towards a bigger outcome. The interesting point is if I can create and align my projects towards a specific direction, can I then determine the outcome of my LIFE? Yes, I do! And while some may comment that there are surprises in life, I would take those surprises as additional bonuses just like 'chance' and 'opportunity' cards in the game of Monopoly. And these events are another sets of projects too :)

So, I would like to suggest to you to view life as a mega project and in it, lies many projects that are partially effected by us and partly affected by the environment. The reason for this is that when we take on the role as a Project Manager, we could easily identify the skills and qualities that we need and if we can build on those requirements, projects become much smoother and meaningful and so will life be.

Here are my take about being a Project Manager that will help shape your life:

1. In a project, there are a beginning and an ending.
1. Whatever we endure may come to an end. Focus on the immediate steps because if we can do the immediate steps well, we can do the next immediate steps well too.
2. Whatever we enjoy may end too. We constantly need to identify and start new projects.
2. Project management helps us focus better on:
1. what is important and what is not. 
2. what we need to do next. 
3. In project management, we need multiple skills.
1. Vision - to define the outcome we want in each project and align the outcome of each project to form  a larger outcome.
2. Leverage - we need to identify and connect with people that can help us in our project, just like how a developer needs to employ engineers, architects and contractors.
3. Leadership - how to lead the team towards what we want them to do while fully aware that they don't necessarily report to us.
4. Creativity - how to develop options when things are not going the way we want.
5. Resourcefulness - how to get the resources we need for projects and solving blockages.
6. Self Motivation - how to keep ourselves focused and energized to move on including having the right coach or mentor.
7. Perseverance - humble enough to know that we can effect a change but the environment can affect that change too. Being patient and knowing when to do what is important.
4. When things are going well, look far for opportunities. When things are not smooth, look near and focus on the immediate steps so that if we can do these steps well, the 'next' immediate steps can be accomplished too.
5. Change in plan is expected:
1. The environment may be adverse at times. 
2. If we cannot solve it, we need to resolve it i.e. finding a closure and move on.

And equally important, design a project called 'Happiness' because happiness does not come free. We need to work on it too!