So you got a problem do ya? What would you like me to do?….Give me a minute and I’ll go get my Hello Kitty band-aids.

Alright, I know we’ve all heard this before from someone in your personal life or in the workplace. For the sake of this blog post lets assume you’re in the workplace and Johnny, a Project Manager, thinks he knows it all and is busy working on many projects. Cindy, a well respected and liked Department Manager approaches Johnny and begins to talk.

Cindy: Hey Johnny, how’s it going this morning?

Johnny: Oh you know the usual problems. Nothing I can’t handle though.

Cindy: What kind of problems?

Johnny: I’ve got until 5PM, and then my client is expecting me to send him a full package of SEO, concepts and additional documents. If I don’t get this stuff to him today he told me he’s gonna find someone else. So, you can see how big of a problem this is right now.

Cindy: I wouldn’t call it a problem.

Johnny gives her a screwed up look and replies.

Johnny: What do you mean you wouldn’t call it a problem?

Cindy sits down in a chair across the room from Johnny.

Cindy: Well look, Project Managers don’t have it easy. I think you and I can agree on that, but that’s not the point. When you’re working with clients I follow a way of thinking where the term “problem” doesn’t exist. Instead, the term “problems” is replaced by “challenges” or “complications”. Problem, is a word that most people cringe at because we don’t like hearing about all the bad stuff….but you gotta take the good with the bad you know what I mean?

Johnny: I see the point you’re trying to make, but….

Cindy: Hear me out first before you say anything. Problems should be seen as opportunities and therefore they are challenges or tasks in which you can grab the thing by the horns and go above and beyond your own limits. It’s about pushing yourself to be positive when times get tough. So when your back is against the wall, don’t panic. Think about how great of an opportunity it is.

The room goes silent for a moment before Johnny comments back.

Johnny: I don’t know, it sounds a bit cheesy to me.

Cindy: Well I don’t argue with you there, but it makes sense doesn’t it?

Johnny: I suppose it does.

END

The point of all this is to understand that no matter how difficult it might be to manage a project or workload you should stay positive and take everything as an opportunity to grow as an effective Project Manager. If you’re having a difficult time handling multiple tasks think about what you can do to alleviate the pressures of the job position. It begins with organization. If you’re organized, your less likely to sink your own ship.

Remember, you’re in control of your own habits, your habits don’t control you.