?? #55: 22 Years, 22 Lessons: My Project Management Journey ??

Work Anniversary Edition

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As I celebrate my birthday and mark 22 years in the workforce—literally half my life—I'm struck by the wealth of experiences and lessons I've accumulated. This journey has been transformative, filled with challenges, triumphs, and invaluable insights. Today, I'm sharing 22 lessons that have shaped my path from a wide-eyed newcomer to a seasoned project management professional.

The Early Years: Building a Foundation

1. Gratitude is Your Superpower: I started as an intern in a supermarket(Uchumi), eager but unsure. Looking back, I'm profoundly grateful for every opportunity, big or small. This mindset has opened doors I never imagined. Until today, I have always been thankful for any chance.
2. You Are the Prize: It took years to realize this, but your unique skills and perspective are invaluable. Own your worth. Be brave and have a lot of self-esteem
3. Diligence Pays Off: In my first role, I was often the first in and last out. This work ethic was noticed and laid the groundwork for future opportunities.
4. Never Stop Learning: Obtaining my PMP, PMI-ACP, and PMO-CP certifications was a game-changer. It elevated my expertise and opened new career paths.
5. Office Politics: A Delicate Dance: I naively thought hard work was enough early on. I learned to navigate workplace dynamics without compromising my integrity. Know what is going on, but refrain from participating in it.

Mid-Career: Expanding Horizons

6. You're More Than a Number: In a Fortune 500 company, I felt like just another cog. This pushed me to create value beyond my job description. I was retrenched once and was the first one to be recalled.

7. Align with the Vision: Understanding and embodying the company's mission transformed my approach to projects and team leadership. Always learn what direction the company is taking so that you can identify areas where you can help.

8. Collaboration is Key: Breaking silos and fostering cross-functional teamwork increased project success rates by 40% in just one year. Don't sit in your corner and hope everything will be fine. Talk to other people.

9. Cultivate a Creative Outlet: Discovering my passion for farming provided balance and fresh perspectives I could apply to problem-solving at work. Find that one thing that you can do out of work. It helps a lot.

10. Join Professional Bodies: Networking through PMI connected me with mentors who accelerated my career growth. Network!

Leadership and Beyond

11. Stay Two Steps Ahead: Anticipating challenges before they arise has saved countless projects from derailing. Learn to ask two questions any time you discuss anything. Look ahead and prepare for any eventualities.

12. Prioritize Rest: Burning out taught me the hard way. Now, I champion work-life balance for myself. You are not Superman.

13. Guard Your Trust Circle: While building strong work relationships, I've learned to discern what I share.

14. Mental Health Matters: Prioritizing my mental well-being through mindfulness practices reduced my stress levels and improved my leadership effectiveness. Taking care of myself first allowed me to support my team better.

15. Family First: Missing my child's first steps was a wake-up call. Now, I structure my work always to take advantage of those moments. I have to be present for my girls without fail.

16. Integrity is Non-Negotiable: A reputation for honesty has been my most valuable asset, opening doors even in challenging job markets. Trust is expensive

17. Laughter is Medicine: Embracing humour in my professional life has been a game-changer. It's helped me navigate stressful situations, build rapport with colleagues, and maintain perspective during challenging projects. A good laugh has often been my secret weapon for resilience and creativity.

18. Celebrate Others: Learning to genuinely celebrate colleagues' achievements, both big and small, has been one of my most rewarding practices. It's not just about team morale; it's made me a more empathetic leader and created lasting professional relationships.

19. Trust Your Gut: Over the years, I've learned to balance data with intuition. There have been pivotal moments when trusting my instincts, honed by years of experience, led to decisions that data alone couldn't justify—and those decisions often made all the difference.

20. Stay Focused Through Storms: I'll always remember the project that nearly derailed my career. Facing a major setback, it was tempting to panic or give up. Instead, I chose to double down on focus and perseverance. That experience taught me that my response to adversity defines me more than the adversity itself.

21. Embrace Trends, but Verify: My journey with Agile methodologies taught me a valuable lesson about trend adoption. Initially skeptical, I took the time to understand and customize Agile to meet our needs thoroughly. This careful approach improved our processes and taught me to be open-minded yet critical about new methodologies.

22. Build a Strong Network: Looking back, I realize my network has been my career's backbone. From mentors who guided me through tough decisions to peers who offered fresh perspectives, these connections have shaped my journey in ways I couldn't have imagined when I started 22 years ago..

Reflecting on these 22 years, I'm filled with immense gratitude and excitement for the future. To my fellow project managers and aspiring leaders, your journey is unique. Embrace every lesson, celebrate every milestone, and never stop growing.

What lessons have shaped your professional journey? Share your insights—let's learn from each other and elevate our collective expertise.

#ProjectManagement #CareerLessons #ProfessionalGrowth #Leadership

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