Lifelong Project

What Running Taught Me

Tomorrow morning I'll be running my eighth half-marathon and it doesn't matter at all.

Five years ago I remember my first half-marathon – the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon. The course snaked through downtown, around the Indy 500 race track, and then back to White River State Park. It was a wonderful feeling of involvement, of doing something new, and finally, when I crossed the finish line, of achievement. For the rest of the day I was achy, but soaring high on what I'd accomplished.

Years later I was brave enough to double that run and complete the Chicago Marathon. Again, I had another great high of achievement, of accomplishment, of a job well-done. It was so good, so intense, that I decided to return to Chicago last year and do it again.

I have learned something important by running: in my life I need to achieve. I don't run to be healthy, or because I like to pound out the miles, or for Zen motivations as some people do. I run because I like the feeling of achievement, of accomplishment, and knowing that I've done something good, hard, and challenging. And it's not even the accomplishment of formal races like tomorrow; it's running from here to there, beating a prior record, or the distance I can run before I must stop.

Do you know David McClelland? He created a theory, called the Acquired-Needs Theory, that posits our needs are acquired over time based on our life experiences. McClelland states we are driven by achievement, affiliation, or power and that these needs can shift over time based on events in our life. Technically you're supposed to complete a test (the Thematic Apperception Test) to determine your driving need, but I've a pretty good idea what drives me: achievement.

So today, as I think about my run tomorrow, I'm noticing that I'm not as excited as years past. I'm not rushing out to buy a new shirt and hat, something I've always done in the past. I'm not dumping out my race-registration goodie bag and studying the course map, the brochures, and free granola bars. I'm not checking the weather, thinking of driving the race course, or pacing in anticipation. I've done this before – it's not a big deal. This isn't a new achievement and it's not as exciting to me as years past. I know it'll still be a challenge, but it's not an achievement.

There have been so many disappointments over the past year that running a race just doesn't excite me right now. It's challenging to get excited about a half-marathon when business is down, book sales are flat, and you're not certain what your next move is. I'm not complaining. I know how fortunate I am to live somewhere beautiful, warm, and friendly. I know how fortunate I am to have a profession that lets me work late and sleep late. I know how fortunate I am to have the ability to run, to see, to hear, and to think.

If anything I'm ashamed and feel a little guilty about my blasé attitude towards my running and my eagerness to achieve. While I'm moaning about achievement I've friends that are without jobs. These are educated people with real-world experiences, certifications, and talent. They're sending out resume after resume with no responses and no offers. Everyone, from friends to strangers, talks about the economy – we're all in this regardless of your political views, employment status, and future plans.

No, my business isn't booming. Yes, I do worry about what I'll be doing next, what book, if any, I'll be writing next, and how my currently published works will sell. I'm concerned that it's going to be a long time, if ever, that my business will be like it was before or surpass those juicy years. Honestly, there are days when I wake up and wonder why I should even bother. I wonder if my time would be better spent working at Starbucks or Borders or selling t-shirts on the beach. And then I wonder if those places are even hiring.

And then I realize that this is an opportunity to achieve. A marathon is tougher than a half-marathon. Running a business is tougher in a poor economy than in a good economy. I must dig in, look for more opportunities, and keep writing, keep selling, and maybe most of all, keep running.

So tonight I'll have some pasta, go to bed a little earlier, and in the morning I'll run.

Goals Demand Commitment

According to a recent survey from FranklinCovey most people quit their New Year's Resolutions because they aren't committed to their resolutions. At least these people are honest. Goals, if you really want to achieve them, demand a commitment to the work the goals require. You can create the commitment by writing a plan on how to achieve the goal. This means you'll define the actions you'll need to take, schedule the dates to do the actions, and then actually doing what you promised. As you gain momentum towards your goal achievement, examine what you've done, what's left to do, and then determine to do the work.

Boring Goals Bore You

Are you excited about your goals? When you talk about your goals do you smile? Can you feel energy when you consider the possibility of achievement? Good goals generate excitement, passion, and happiness. If you are not excited about your goals then chances are you won't achieve your goals. You must link the great outcomes this goal will have in your life. Determine how much better your life, the lives of your family and friends, even the world will be when you achieve your goal. Get excited about your goals!

Totally Free PMP Exam Prep

Times are tough, I know. I’m Joseph Phillips, author of several leading books on project management. I’ve been teaching PMP Boot Camps, IT project management, and related topics since 1997. Teaching, consulting, and writing on project management has been very good to me – I’ve worked hard, but I’ve also been very fortunate. I’m thankful.

I have friends, relatives, and colleagues, however, that aren’t as fortunate. These good people have lost their jobs, seen their businesses evaporate, and are nearing the bottom of their financial, spiritual, and mental reserves. People are wondering how many resumes they will have to create to land employment, any employment. People are wondering how much they can do without to provide for their children. I know, and you know, that it’s like this everywhere.

So while politicians bicker, executives cash their bonuses, and thousands more line up for unemployment I’ve wondered what can I do? And how can I sell project management training for thousands of dollars to people that might be clipping coupons and saving pennies to make certain there’s food in the pantry?

The simple answer: I can’t. I can’t sell education to someone who doesn’t have the money to buy it. And I can’t stomach the thought of someone investing their needed money, in hopes of a project management certification, in hopes of a job. Hope is good, hope is needed, but you can’t eat hope. You can’t pay the bills with hope. You can’t live on hope.

So I’m contributing by sharing my PMP exam prep seminar online. Yes, the complete course is available absolutely free with no strings attached. While I still want to make a living and continue teaching project management, I believe this is a win-win for us all. Participants don’t have to spend thousands of dollars like some sites are charging for this material and I’m getting my name, my business, and books out there.

Zen and Zoom: Balance

I struggle constantly with balance. It always seem to be too much work, not enough play or the other way around. People tell me everything in moderation but often the demands of my writing, teaching, and looking for opportunities get in the way of moderation. I'm trying to find balance, but try just doesn't work. I'm setting boundaries for myself: work these hours and then that's that. And then get away from the computer, from the Internet, and from the telephone. Balance, like Nik Wallenda in this photo, is so important.