PMcrunch

Most of us have experienced broken New Year’s resolutions; and for those who even made them this year, I can only imagine how many are already falling behind. In a sense, this phenomenon can actually work against us. Falling behind and failing is not a good experience and does not generate good emotions. In tough times, especially, we need positive emotions to carry us forward. Thus, I can only conclude, from my approach, to focus on the long term.

The idea of focusing on the long term has its basis on a number of ideas. First, it gets our minds out of short-term conditions. Right now, the short-term is fairly tough for most. To focus on the long-term is to look at something that cannot be achieved overnight and that also keeps us from being narrowly focused on quick fixes. Often, these quick fixes can be detrimental, but it is the long-term actions that will bear fruit eventually.

A second reason to focus on the long-term is that it enables us to look inward at what really matters to us. It enables us to rethink our values, to appreciate what we have, and to think about the possibilities that excite us. When we think of the long-term, the idea of change doesn’t even matter to us anymore; we actually want to change, so change takes on a positive emotion and not a negative one.

If we, as project and program leaders, can get ourselves more focused on the long-term, we can provide the enthusiasm, hope, and faith needed to lead others into a new and better place. Just as with projects, success occurs in two places. First, it takes place in a plan, then it takes place in reality through successful execution. To get through this tough short-term, refocus on your long-term goals and become the leader within you.

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John Reiling, PMP
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