I cannot underline this enough, it is significant to know the direction that you follow. It is some sort of vector that you have to have in order to enable yourself to grow professionally. It is your lighthouse and your northern star. I want to tell you what happened to me so far on the way from “I want to become a Project Manager”.

Exercise 1. Set your Goal and Break it to Pieces

Once you’ve got it, and your direction is set, the next important thing is to break this goal into major things that you have to achieve in order to get there. For example, get an MBA degree or work as a senior specialist for a couple of years to get experienced enough to be able to manage a project of your very own.

Then you break it down again. What do you need to do to become a Senior? Elaborate the environment, if your goal is to live in the US, it is probably pointless to go to work in the political or governmental closed community service. It would make much more sense for you to explore your options before you made this jump.

Further down the line, you break it again. If you want to become a Project Manager, this is a perfect exercise also because this methodology is used in Project Management and it’s called a work breakdown structure or WBS. 

Break it down until the task is so small that you can do it in a week or less. Organise them all in the order that makes sense and start working.

Exercise 2. Define a Timeline and Understand your Resources

Think what are going to be your main milestones, connect them to the timeline to establish your Key Dates. Think what trainings you would like to get, what other resources you have to use and understand your budget. If you feel like you haven’t got enough money to do it, consider what’s important, play around your priorities first. Consider taking on a part-time job. I remember myself working night-shifts to save up enough money to get into a foreign university. Something that you can do as well!

Exercise 3. Talk to a Coach

Funny but true, sometimes it is easier to speak to someone who will fix your focus on your goal and will keep you committed to your word. He or she will do you good, I have seen miracles happen for people working with coaches and I can’t wait to find myself a new coach as well.

Keep your eyes on your star and good luck!

Love,

NJ