When You Love Project Management…But Not Your Project

With 14 years of experience and a coaching diploma, Andy works with PMs to reignite their passion, regain confidence, and build a realistic plan for change.

  Career Development  

No one can doubt the energy and enthusiasm project managers give to their jobs. They work tirelessly to reach the outcomes of their projects.

What is surprising is how many project managers end up in this predicament—they are deeply passionate about project management as a profession, yet are lacking enthusiasm with the day-to-day work. It's like being an artist loving to paint pictures, but finding you only have the colors to paint the same picture, day after day.

This disconnect can be particularly challenging as project managers are typically high-achievers who thrive on making an impact. One of my project management colleagues told me she loves bringing order and structure to chaos, and delivering results. She reflects warmly about the time she managed a large office upgrade implementation. Now that the majority of office upgrades are nearing completion, she finds that putting in fixes for minor issues over and over is draining her enthusiasm.

If you're in a similar position, what can you do to find that spark in your job again?

1. Understand the Disconnect
Project managers often have opportunities coming their way, but before saying yes to that opportunity, you should deeply understand the disconnect between you and your current work. You should ask yourself what you will gain from the opportunity, and what will change for you.

From working …

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