Welcome to our weekly newsletter!

2 February 2025

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Hey friend,

I've noticed a pattern. I feel anxiety. It builds for a few days. I notice everyone hates me. Nobody talks to me. I feel isolated. I wonder what I did wrong. Eventually I take out my journal and write about how I feel. The next day... nobody seems to be rude to me. Everyone chats to me. I feel free. I feel less anxious. Now did they change? Did I go from unpopular to popular by magic? No. Clearly not. The reality is that nothing changed. The love/hate was the same. All that changed was my perspective. My perception. So I'd like to encourage you to write. And to be grateful. You will see wonders in your life that you haven't before.

Some Thoughts

“In my whole life I’ve never been good at something I wasn’t very interested in. It just doesn’t work. There’s no substitute for strong interest.” ~ Charlie Munger.

What more can I say? Work on what interests you. Sure there are non-negotiables. But spend as much time as possible working on things you enjoy. Make sure your team do the same. Within reason. That’s the “art” part of project management.

What you will learn this week:

🐳 How to have a purpose-driven career.

🐬 Why, not what.

🐟 BONUS - A schedule that creates purpose.

Why You Should Prioritise Purpose Over Tasks

In the rapidly-changing arena of project management, the act of scheduling can often feel like a relentless game of Tetris—fitting tasks and meetings into every available slot. However, this approach can lead to burnout, inefficiency, and a loss of direction. Shifting the focus from what you are scheduling to why you are scheduling it can transform the way you manage time and priorities, leading to more meaningful and productive outcomes.

The Importance of Purpose

Understanding the purpose behind each scheduled activity helps to align your actions with your broader goals. When you schedule a meeting, task, or even downtime with a clear why, it becomes easier to prioritize and make decisions that contribute to the overall success of your project. This is the importance of purpose.

Enhancing Productivity

By focusing on why a task is important, you can better assess its value and urgency.

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Postscript

Every year I make a reading goal on Goodreads. My goal for this year is to read 12 books. Not too many. Probably a mix of fiction and non-fiction. The non-fiction is usually around 60-70% of the total. I struggle to find fiction books that resonate. Any ideas for me?

Until next time,

Jonathan (The Effective Project Manager)

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