Project Office

Ten rules for achieving project management persistence

1. I will have no regrets. Even if the desired result does not come about, I know I tried my best.
2. I will achieve my dreams through small actions. I don’t need to take massive action each day. Even little steps will bring me closer to my goal.
3. I will live in the moment. I won’t focus on the past or dwell too much on the future.
4. I will keep my goals in sight. To keep my vision front and centre, I will carry a written copy of my goals and review them every day.
5. I realise I will encounter obstacles. Goals are behind stumbling blocks. If I can’t vault over them, I will manoeuvre around them.
6. I will focus on one or two goals only. Too many objectives dissipate our energies, and loss of energy is followed by loss of persistence.
7. I will trust myself. If others can do it, so can I. I know all the power to achieve my goals lies within me.
8. I will take a break every now and then. After every success, no matter how slight, I will let myself rest and then get back on the job rejuvenated.
9. I will be flexible. Sometimes you have to break with traditional processes.
10. I will be patient. Time defeats persistence. It is our greatest friend and our greatest enemy.

Excerpt from the article ‘Failing Your Way to Success’ by Alfonso Bucero, MSc, PMP, Contributing Editor, published in the Project Management Institute’s PM Network magazine, February 2011 Volume 25,
Number 2.