A colleague recently asked me how to get 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) in a few short weeks without breaking the bank.  Here are some of my favorites:

• PMI's IS Specific Interest Group (SIG) has lots of free webinars (1 PDU per webinar) available to SIG members ($35/year to join).  This is a category 3.
• You can write an article on any area of expertise you have and submit it to your local chapter of PMI.  This is a category 2B and earns 15 PDUs.
• For each 12-month period you work as a Project Manager, you can claim 5 PDUs.  Over the course of three years, you can earn 15 PDUs.  This is a category 2H.
• You can claim up to 15 PDUs for category 2-SDL, Self Directed Learning.  This includes articles, books, instructional manuals, videos, CD-ROMs or other material resources.  Podcasts are a great way to earn 15 PDUs under this category.  Here are two popular ones: www.pm-podcast.com and http://www.controllingchaos.com
• Attend local PMI chapter meetings!  Many chapters have breakfast, lunch, and or dinner meetings that will give you 1+ PDUs under category 3 per event.  
• If you already volunteer for a non-profit organization, you can claim 5 PDUs per year.  Thus, you can get up to 15 PDUs under category 5 for giving of your time. 
• Last, you can take a "hot topic" course (Agile / Scrum, Six Sigma, ITIL/ITSM, etc.) that will earn you lots of PDUs and give you a certification that looks great on your resume.  Look for Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) with PMI to earn PDUs under category 3.  Here is an example of one for ITIL v3 Foundations certification that gives you 18 PDUs under category 3. 

Once you sign into PMI's website, you can submit PDUs online.  The PDU site has been recently redesigned and is really easy to use.  So, you now have ideas on a total of over 80 PDUs that you can get in a few weeks time.  No more excuses on maintaining your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification! 

Years ago, I heard this great quote that has really stuck with me and become somewhat of a mantra. It is as follows:

There is no limit to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.
General of the Army George C. Marshall

What a fabulous concept! Often, we are so worried about our own jobs and careers that we don’t take the time to think about those around us and make sure we help them get what they want. Ever since I started making a conscious effort to really “let go” of who gets the credit, my work attitude has completely changed. In addition, the way my team and others around me view my work has completely changed. They realize that I am their champion, and they work hard to perform to the best of their abilities. Rather than spending time worrying about whether executive management sees all the great things I am doing, and position myself accordingly for that next great promotion, I focus on mentoring others and helping those around me get recognized for their hard work. I actually spend part of my work week thinking about how I can bring visibility and kudos to the efforts of my teams.

Too often, when employees are surveyed in their companies, many of them say that they feel their work is not valued or that no one has told them in the last six months that they appreciate them. How terrible! The best thing we can do for our coworkers, direct reports, colleagues, and project teams is to find creative ways to show them our thanks and make sure everyone in our company knows that they are making a valuable contribution. We all love to get praised for our hard work. Make sure you are taking the time to proactively do that for others.

Many companies have put great examples of this concept in place. When I worked with Pfizer, they implemented something called a Pfish program where you could send a Pfish card to a colleague for a variety of reasons (being a team player, going the extra mile, or even just making your day). Every week, the people that had received a Pfish card were entered into a raffle for a gift card. However, the very best thing about the Pfish card program was that the recipient’s boss was copied on the email that they received. It was a really fun program and one that made employees feel special and appreciated.

However, you don’t need a company program to show your appreciation for others. Here are some really easy things you can do to make a big difference in the lives of those around you – Submit your project team for an internal company award, external “Project of the Year”, or other award. There are lots of professional organizations that look for a variety of award submissions and, many times, are excited to get new submissions from companies or people they have not heard from before. Log onto LinkedIn and write unsolicited recommendations for people you have enjoyed working with. Send a short email to a coworker’s boss thanking them for going the extra mile on a difficult project. Start a “Thanks a latte!” newsletter that thanks your team members by name and post it up at work, maybe even leave a small Starbucks gift card on their desk before they get into work. The more creative and silly, the better! You will be surprised by the results. It seems counter-intuitive, but we as managers end up shining the brightest when our teams shine. What other examples have you seen or done to brighten the day for those you work with and help them get the kudos they richly deserve?

A few weeks ago, I listened to Dr. Jackie Freiberg, the opening keynote speaker at itSMF's Fusion conference in Dallas.  During her presentation, she gave the following quote from author Eric Hoffer:

In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future.  The learned find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.

I have found this to be true in my own experience.  Today's learners are the ones that get the new job opportunities, the sought after promotion, and the next client.  They are the ones that are not afraid to try (and even fail at) new things.  Do you consider yourself to be a learner or one that is learned?  Has your learning stopped?  Right now, more than ever, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and stop learning and trying new things.  Those that do will be quickly passed by those that chase after knowledge.  If you have let yourself become learned, think about ways you can join those that are learning.  Your career depends on it.

People often ask me for recommendations on working with Microsoft Project software.  Here are a couple of my favorites:



Eric Uyttewaal's "Dynamic Scheduling" is the best book I have seen on Microsoft Project and is a must read for any Project Manager.  IIL's web-based Orange Belt course on Microsoft Project teaches the concept of "Dynamic Scheduling" and, at the time, used Eric's book as the foundation for the course.  It radically changed my perspective on working with MS Project; and many years later, I still frequently reference this book.   



Another great book is "Ultimate Learning Guide to Microsoft Office Project 2007" by Dale Howard and Gary Chefetz.  Both the "Ultimate Learning Guide" and "Dynamic Scheduling" are easy to read and packed full of helpful pictures, tips & tricks, and practical advice (my copies are dog-eared, flagged, and highlighted throughout). 

My husband has raced in triathlons for many years, and I have been content playing the role of race "sherpa".  On race day, I help pack and carry my husband's race gear, so he can concentrate on the race itself.  Racing always looks like a lot of fun, and a few months ago, I unwittingly made the comment that I could do one.  My husband suggested I attend a Traithlon101 meeting that the San Diego Tri Club was putting on, and I realized that, with a little determination and some equipment, anyone could finish a triathlon.  I see 80-year old grandmothers do triathlons all the time.  I thought to myself, "How hard could it be?"  I made the decision then and there to try it.  Little did I know what I was getting myself into...

That next week, I bought a woman's road bike and wet suit and started training.  If I'm being completely honest, it was a lot harder than I expected.  I had never really ridden a road bike before, and it did not come naturally to me.  All of the steering, gear changes, and clipping my feet in and out of the pedals was really stressful.  Swimming was not much better.  I had to learn how to swim with good form and, most importantly, not get tired out after only a few meters.  Once I had somewhat mastered swimming in a pool, I tried my hand at ocean swimming.  That first experience was terrifying; and I cried, hyperventilated, and swallowed seawater most of the way through.  There were definitely highs and lows through my workouts, but I kept trying.

Two weekends ago, I showed up to race my first triathlon (400 meters in the water, 7 mile bike, and 2 mile run).  I did not have a particularly fast race (in fact, I came in nearly dead last), but at least I finished.  The whole time during the race, I kept thinking, "Why did I sign up for this?  What was I thinking?"; however, when I finally finished the race, it felt pretty good.  I always tell others to try things that they are scared of, and this has been an experience where I have had to "eat my own dog food".  I have learned a lot though...I've learned that we can sometimes surprise ourselves in what we are capable of doing.  I've also learned that you meet the most amazing people when you try something different.  My husband and I have met some great friends over the past few months, people I would never have met otherwise.  During the Triathlon101 meeting, one of the guys warned us that most people get hooked after doing their first one, and I am getting hooked.  My husband and I signed up for our next triathlon on October 4th...

What have you done lately that scares the heck out of you...but you're glad you tried it?

At the recommendation of a friend, I recently read Jeffrey Gitomer's, "Little Black Book of Connections".  Though not my favorite of the networking books out there, there are some good pearls of wisdom contained within.  In chapter 6, Jeffrey talks about the importance of "wowing" others to make a lasting impression.  He writes:

When's the last time somebody said "WOW!" to you about something you did for them, or someone else?  Have you ever had "WOW" done to you?  If you have, you'll never forget it.

I will never forget the day I checked into the Burbanl Hilton Hotel and found that the staff, instead of giving the traditional fruit basket, had called my office, found out I collected sports memorabilia, and placed a baseball in my room - autographed by thirty plus members of the hotel staff.

When will I throw that ball away? Answer: Never.  Who will I show that ball to? Answer: Everybody.  What did I say when I got that ball?  I said, "WOW!" And I continue to say "WOW!" every time I retell the story.

WOWing others definitely helps you differentiate yourself in business, in your career, and in your personal life.  What have you done lately to WOW a customer, colleague, or friend? 

Want to improve your public speaking and communication skills?
Get involved with PMI San Diego’s FIRST EVER Toastmasters Club for Project Managers!!

Meetings take place every Tuesday 6pm-7pm
Webster University – San Diego Campus
6333 Greenwich Drive, Suite 230
Below is a link with driving directions:
http://www.webster.edu/sandiego/documents/directions.pdf

Sign-up to attend the next meeting!
RSVP to outreach@pmi-sd.org with any questions. 

A huge “Thank You!” to Webster University for donating the meeting room!!

The other day, a colleague turned me onto a LinkedIn group and website for the "Project Manager Networking Group" also known as PPMNG that provides social networking opportunities specific to Project Management professionals.  What's REALLY cool about the PPMNG website is that they regularly search dozens of online job sites (Monster, Dice, etc.) and post all project-related jobs in one, central place.  Here is a link to the "Jobs" section of the PPMNG site.

Today I stumbled upon an article on MSN that lists Project Managers among 6 strong jobs despite the economic downturn.  Check out what it says:

#6: Project Managers
Advertising agencies and Marketing departments need project managers who can ensure that projects come in on time and within budget. Those with experience managing digital projects are especially valued.

Career cues: Because these professionals often serve as a liaison between creative staff and clients, and ensure customer satisfaction, quality control and timely delivery of final products, excellent communication and multitasking abilities are a must. Diplomacy also is helpful when assisting internal and external clients with production-related questions and concerns.

Exciting news in today's uncertain times. 

You can read the entire article here: http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1864-Job-Info-and-Trends-6-Strong-Jobs-Despite-the-Downturn/?sc_extcmp=JS_1864_home1&SiteId=cbmsnhp41864&ArticleID=1864&gt1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=e0e486135e234f2492b3c159938dfab1-294165042-JV-5

A few weeks ago, Pattie Vargas and I gave a presentation at National University on Networking101, and I brought some great books on networking with me.  Here is a list of my favorites:

• “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi
• “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty” by Harvey Mackay
• “The Fine Art of Small Talk” by Debra Fine (awesome audiobook!)
• “How to Become the Obvious Expert” by Elsom and Mark Eldridge
• “Brand You 50” by Tom Peters

Definitely worth the read (or listen).    Does anyone else have other favorite books or tapes on networking?  Leave me a comment - I would love to hear from you!