6 Ways How Project Management Has Enriched My Life

Many people think that project management is only for the career but you can apply these same principles to your personal life. I have with great results. Below are 6 ways that project management has enriched my life:

Developed systems thinking

Project management is a system, a methodology and a way of thinking. I have applied lots of project management processes and methodologies towards my life. For instance, when I want to go after a promotion, I divide my plan up into phases and draft a timeline. This systems thinking has resulted in my getting 4 promotions in 9 years.

Contingency and reserve plans

Although I have always saved 25% of my non-rent paycheck, project management has increased my contingency and reserve sophistication. I know manage my reserve (non-rent) money better and develop multiple contingency plans just in case things turn out differently which they always do.

Set better milestones in my timelines

Project management’s time management knowledge area is one of my biggest helpers. I hate time wasters so I review my to-do lists to see if I can consolidate or dump unimportant stuff. Time is the one thing once squandered you cannot get more of. Project management has improved my time management efficiency.

Develop more accurate outcome measurements

Before project management, I just look at an outcome as done; but now I look at an outcome as how much percentage increase this activity has generated. There is a very big mentality shift. It is one thing to say that the project is complete. It is quite another to say that the outcome has improved my situation by ‘X percent’. Measuring outcomes have helped me both personally and professionally. Professionally, I have created metrics tied to my PMP certification. When I received mine, I would not entertain a salary offer paying less than 20% extra my current salary. By having the acceptance criteria, I was able to get a bigger promotion.

Enhance my execution

As a Type A, I am very strong proponent of anything enhancing my execution. The largest amounts of resources are used during the project execution domain. Project management has helped me become more resourceful in this area. Project management has sharpened my cost minimization, profit maximization mind for the better.

Better requirements collector

Project management has helped me look at requirements analysis differently. I ask more questions to examine the need or validity for things that come my way. I may not need everything at once and may have to place things in reserve.

These are my six things that I have learned from practicing project management.

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