Learn from today, apply your lessons, and tomorrow will be better...

As a project manager and human being, only some days are always very successful, but on the other hand, it is always a good day. Why do I say that? Because every day, you can learn something from anyone in your project. We often complain too much and must be conscious of the number of daily blessings that we have. Your challenge is to look at the positive part of each fact instead of complaining as first reaction. Let me share with you a known story from the Spanish writer Calderon de la Barca:

"They tell of a wise man who was so poor and miserable that he only supported himself on a few herbs he caught one day. Is there another, among himself, he said, poorer and sadder than me? And when the face returned, he found the answer, seeing that another wise man was picking the herbs he threw".

It seems like every problem we have is the world's biggest problem, but it is not. You need to broaden your perspective using a different understanding framework. I suggest you complain less about the facts that happen to you and try to learn from them to avoid failing again. Projects are plenty of obstacles to overcome, but you can do it. I assume you are an excellent professional; I mean, you wish to continue making efforts to improve most of the time. I believe wisdom grows at the speed you learn from your failures. Be a learning person, and you will grow personally and professionally.

I want to share with you some of my good practices for learning about my projects:

1. Every day is a good day because even when getting some project problems or issues, you will have the possibility to reflect upon that situation, analyze it, be quiet and learn from it.
2. Start your day with a positive attitude, I use the sentence "Today is a good day, and tomorrow will be better". I believe in myself and know that I am not a perfect project manager, but I do many things well. I only need to tune some of my activities to get a better outcome. With effort, passion, persistence and patience you will move forward.
3. I have my ears opened all day and am ready to listen to any project stakeholder. I practice active listening every day. I suggest you to ask for help to your project stakeholders when needed. Do not try to be superman or superwoman, it consumes a lot of energy and usually generate poor results.
4. Find a while by the end of your day and write down on a page: what was well, what was not so well, and what you learn. I am sure you do many things well and, only a few need to be amended.
5. Put a ten in your people. Some project problems may be delegated with accountability to your people. Consider this as a helper that may diminish your stress. Good project results are consequence of leadership, teamwork and collaboration. Work well with your people and get the best from everyone.
6. Before starting your business day reflect for five minutes upon the lessons you learned the day before. Those lessons will drive you to better project performance. Now, you will apply your yesterday lessons today and succeed, remember that you are an excellent professional.

Do not think to yourself as a loser, you are a winner who needs to wear a crown in your head ever day. Go for it!

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY to put my suggestions into practice!

Alfonso Bucero

alfonso.bucero@abucero.com