Anyways, it does feel good to get out of the office and put my mind deep into some lyrics that mean something for a night. I’m going to drink to that tonight.

If anyone is out there reading in the world, I’m feeling that ”No Hay Nada Mas” maine!

Below is an article that I found on the internet that seems to summarize my feelings on the topic. Ultimately I believe that anyone can live a much fuller life by actively engaging in their own success.

The Law of Attraction

Top 10.5 Things You Should Do - PMP Test Preparation

1. Become a member of PMI - The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the organization that maintains the PMP and other professional creditials. Becoming a member is easy and can be done from the comforts of your home/office. Visit www.pmi.org to become a member.
2. Start your PMP Application - Once you have taken the steps to become a member of the PMI, you should begin start the online application process. Starting an application, does not mean that you have to take the exam right away. The application allows you to log your project management to validate your experience. PMI requires that you have a few thousand hours of non-overlappying project management experience. In addition, you can keep track of your Professional Development Units (PDUs). PMI also asks that you have developed your skills through educational events/courses which must be logged with the organization.
3. Gather information on your old projects - I found this task daunting until I dusted off a few old resumes. In order to complete the non-overlapping project management experience, you’ll have to remember and account for projects that span about three years. PMI asks that you determine how many hours were spent on a project during a specific phase. For instance, you could log that you spent 250 hours in the Analysis Phase as a Project Coordinator. You must show that you have experience in all phases of a project: Initiate, Plan, Monitoring & Controlling, Execution and Closing.
4. Preparation Assessment - Take a moment to be realistic with yourself at this stage. If you are two years away from obtaining the experience necessary to take the exam don’t start to prepare for the exam. Secondly, if you don’t have the time to devote to rigorous study during a specified period of time before taking the exam be thoughtful and wait. I made this mistake and I casually studied for the exam here and there for three years. What a bonehead mistake. The Project Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) changed on me three times while I was studying. By the time I was truly ready to dedicate the time to rigorous study, I had to start all over anyway. Be smart and take note of my lessons learned.
5. Join a local PMI Club - Did you know that there is probably a local club willing to help you prepare for the PMP? Be sure to search the PMI website for information on how to become active in your local club. There are many opportunities to network with other professionals and easy ways to build a study strategy that will fit your needs. My local club assisted me with finding courses that would fit my study habits and I also fulfilled my some of my PDUs simply by attending the meetings. Joining a club is a valuable resource, so take advantage of the opportunities that membership provides you from PMI.
6. Schedule your Exam - If you are 12-9 months away from taking the exam schedule it. Going through the process of scheduling the exam makes the event real and allows you to prepare your mind for the event.
7. Learn PMBOK Language - The PMP exam is a four hour test of your knowledge of the PMBOK. The exam does not test your ability or experience as a project manager. Don’t make the mistake of just showing up for the exam expecting to ace it with flying colors because of your years of experience. Get your mind prepared to learn what PMI wants you to know and you’ll be well on your way to properly prepare for the exam.
8. Start Studying - There will be a strategy that works for you which only you know. Understanding your own study habits are key to preparing for the exam. Once I finally got my mind fixed on rigorous study I laid out the perfect plan for me. Here was my strategy:

   First Step: Purchase Rita’s Guide to the PMP, excellent book!!!
   Second Step: Download the PMBOK and read it from cover to cover
   Third Step: Complete all examples from Rita’s Guide
   Fourth Step: Enroll in Velociteach Bootcamp course
   Fifth Step: Take online assessments from Velociteach in preparation for the bootcamp
   Sixth Step: Complete the bootcamp

   Whatever your strategy is, keep on schedule and get support.

9. Memorization - There are several things that you should memorize specifically for the exam. If you have not committed those things to memory don’t take the exam. Looking at Rita’s Guide or other exam preparation material will point those key things out. Remember, it is a four-hour exam. Endurance is key, so preparing yourself with the right amount of confidence early will help you endure.
10. Day of the Exam - Relax. You’re prepared so don’t sweat it. Make sure you eat a great meal and get lots of rest the day prior. You want to feel refreshed and confident. Wear comfortable clothing and familiarize yourself with the testing facility. Arrive at the facility about 45-60 minutes early so you have time to calm your nerves before taking the exam.

And finally 10.5: If you have people close to you in your life, such as a wife or girlfriend ask them for support during the process. It helps to have those close to you aligned on your journey of passing the exam.

Good luck and feel free to reach out to me if you have additional questions.

I told him that there is so much to be thankful for, you just have to stop and notice the little things around you to truly understand how great things are in your own life.

While working from home yesterday I captured a few pictures during a break. Feel free to take a look at more photos of my little neighbors from that day, while recognizing the little things in your own life that God brings everyday. Whether it be a flower, the sun shining, your child’s smiling face, a warm hug from your spouse or just your own reflection; enjoy today.

[ Photos of my Little Neighbors ]

During the course…

A Glimpse into Day 1

It felt uneasy not knowing what was going on. I was chosen as a member of Group 3 from a random draw. Both Group 1 and 2 conducted their assignments in an inner circle format and with the outsiders looking in on them observing behavior. When it was our turn to perform our assignment I was even more uneasy, as our assignment was different from the first two groups. During the first two sessions I gave feedback actively knowing that those same individuals would be providing feedback on our group. I felt myself holding back on negative comments and leaning more toward the positive. Surprisingly our group didn’t have much conflict or dissention. During the end of the session that day it felt as if the first two groups thought that we didn’t talk about any deep issues, which resulted in our group having no conflict. We shared various topics as well that day and did introductions to understand each other. I was surprised how open we became with each other in such a short amount of time. We still held a lot back on the first day. We spoke about things that we didn’t want to discuss. One of those things was our salary. Others topics included politics, sex, religion the most common. After mentioning the unspeakable though, we began to talk about them. We also expressed concern about the not having a leader in the group. I felt very comfortable without a clear leader in the group. In a sense, I’ve grown tired of being the leader all the time and chose to take a step back from my normal position or way of doing things to truly learn about leadership. I wanted to learn more from others in the group to better understand my leadership style and potential. The consultants were nagging and mostly were interrupting our flow of conversation. A few times they mentioned things that were relevant, but most times were a bit off in their analysis and more harmful than helpful. We had a group of focused people that were not easily frazzled by the consultants which made it more bearable to continue our conversations. I went to sleep feeling bad for Group two as they didn’t have such a good start as we did. But I also enjoyed learning from my group members and truly enjoyed our interactions.

Reflections on my thoughts from Day 1

One the first day we thought that our group was doing great because we opened up very quickly to one another. I realize now that we used both group 1 and 2 as scapegoats for our own need to belong. We struggled immensely with not having an actual task. Our group thought that we had it and was the best. We thought that we would be consultants to the other groups to listen, analyze and respond. We created a process, one that was not at all dealing with our own issues but those of others. I mentioned that I went to sleep feeling bad for group two. I realize now that I was feeling bad about myself and wondered more about the mystic of another group than my own. Also after day one I felt comfortable without a leader, because I thought that I was the leader.

What is amazing is that a day or two later I will be able to project reflections on my thoughts now written in this paper and find correlations as to why I said them. I’ve began the process of learning about myself in a more intimate way and understanding that this is a journey. It is about the journey.

Right now…

I am emotionally and physically exhausted. Other students who have experienced a Gemmil course before told me that I’d be this way but you will never understand it unless you experience it yourself. During our last small group session with the consultants I asked whether they learned anything from us. To my amazement they were just as drained as we were while listening and gently guiding the groups.

There is no way to truly capture this feeling. There is no real way to succinctly explain what happened this week. I’m not sure if the feeling will be sustained, but my life has changed from the experience. I’ll never be able to describe the feeling but I’ve thought about drawing it. There may be some way to try to describe it with music. Why am I trying to capture it? I think I want to bottle it up and save it to pour it out for later. I don’t need to though because I can do something each day in my life because there are people around me all the time. I have the capacity to influence, inspire and love whomever I choose. It takes time though. I know that it takes time and I have to find a way to adjust to world to the schedule that will allow me to grow others.

One thing that I will never forget from this course is the reflection of my own thoughts, comments and suggestions to others on my life. Looking back on advice that I gave to others was spot on to areas in my life that I have insecurities. Beyond the course I can envision comments that I’ve made to others at work or even to my wife during a heat discussion, all reflecting on back at me. Are we all self-centered? I don’t believe so, but I do think that it is natural to think of ourselves even though we may be truly seeking to help others. Trying to describe my feelings right now is just so difficult. I suppose that to complete the course it is mandatory and the Dean of Whitman would want some sort of structure around the course but I this paper hasn’t done justice to what I feel.

This course should be a requirement for MBA students at the Whitman School of Management. If this course was taught to every student at in the MBA program in the first or second semester something spectacular would happen. Just as I can’t describe my feelings, projecting the future of possibilities is just impossible. I know that the feeling would spread beyond old Syracuse and beam into the communities in which we all live. The openness would cross country boundaries because many of us travel internationally. The drive and desire to would lead others to greater insights would teem over to businesses, government, and religion. No this is not a dream, but the realities of true future possibilities if more people cared more and shared more.

I’m tired.

What do I want to do?

There are many aspects of my life that I believe need change. Today someone mentioned that we have been equipped with a tool that could be used to further the process of enhancing relationships. I want to use what I’ve learned to help myself. In many ways I have been closed to the world for a long time and it hurts to be that way. I have to learn to be more open and trust in others. This course was not about pouring your emotions out to a group of people you don’t know. It was about self-reflection and providing a means to grow.

I’ve always thought of myself as a leader. In many instances I’ve sought out to be that leader whether I thought I was fit to be simply because others had not stepped up. Justin taught me that I don’t have to be the leader. I don’t have to make a comment. I don’t have to bear the burden. If I don’t say anything, something will happen and it just may be ok without my input. On the other hand Caroline and Bridgett made me realize that what I brought and shared in our group is relevant. In my own way must learn to come back to the middle to create harmony.

I will also go back to work to build more meaningful relationships. My company is built on relationships and I think that some people actually get it; but many others just do not.

More importantly I plan to grow my relationship with my wife, son and other family members. In doing so, my plan is to pay more attention to being me. Who am I? I don’t know. I do know that I will enjoy the journey of learning more about God, myself and others along the way.

While driving into the city I had memories of my old boys from my hood. Riding big wheels, running up and down the streets playing football, tag, red-light-green-light and simply having fun. We didn’t have playdates, we just went outside to play. I miss the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Tigers  and the sorry Detroit Lions. I miss the festivals, jazz events, radio, downtown, church, my frat, my family, the food, whoa….a lot. I remember walking the streets of Detroit and feeling inspired as an artist because of the cultural feel of the city. After waking this morning, the reflection from the riverfront brought a calm peace over me.

While in the city I plan to enjoy my time with family, friends and the memories of the city. Many things have changed and many are the same. One thing that will never change though; I’m from Detroit and will always love my city. My hood.

View the Photos Here

Tough Love
I’ve been told my many that I’m very loving, with a firm belief in fairness. I suppose that is true. When you want to hear the truth, ask for it. You’ll be lucky if someone tells you the truth. If you ask me for the truth; I’ll tell you. I can only hope that you will do the same for me. Sometimes even if you don’t want to hear others perspection of the truth, it may be necessary for growth. Listen openly and let advice benefit you in the long run. Take what you can and leave the rest behind; but listen nonetheless. This message is for those three people in my immediate circle of influence and anyone else that may benefit from some tough love.

Stand Up
Get up, look in the mirror and notice what you have around you in your life. Take a real look at yourself, those around you and the world. The best way to truly accomplish this is my talking to others about your problems with transparency and with an open mind. If you open up with someone that is caring, you will learn that others have similiar issues of their own. You will learn that you are not the only person with problems. You will learn that others can relate to your situation. You should also take note that many people have found ways to help themselves and can also help you. Stand up and seek the brighter side of life by noticing what can be done, instead of focusing on what you can not accomplish. If you are tired of your situation don’t bitch and moan, think and grow. What is the first step? Think about anything positive you can do to make a change, even a small incremental change toward your next goal. Having trouble gathering your thoughts? Ask someone to help you? Still in a bind? Pray for an answer? Can’t make it through? Read on the subject. Don’t have money for a book; Google it! Find a way! Every second you devote to negative thoughts, wastes powerful energy toward your next opportunity. Get up. Hold your head up. Clinch your fists. Yell if you need to, but stop looking backward and set your eyes on the positive change that you are going to make today.

Time to Live in the Present
Yesterday has now past. Did you make the most of your time spent during the day yesterday? What about last week? How about the past year? Are you still worrying about what you could have, should have done 10 years ago? If you are not living in the present, you are making no positive change for the future. If you are making no positive change for the future, your life will continue to be as it is today.

There are opportunities around you, every moment of your life. Everyday there is something you can act upon to take another step toward your goal. Now that you are standing up, act on those positive thoughts and celebrate the small “wins” in your life. If you stumble, learn from the mistake but keep going. If you find yourself in despair, take the time to heal; but then keep moving toward your next opportunity. You must have the courage to take steps toward your own success. Once you are living in the present, you’ll be surprised how many people who live in depression and despair.

I’m always flabergasted to find out that I was the first person to ever ask that kind of question. Have you ever been to an event where only a small group showed up to take advantage of an opportunity when those offering were expecting huge crowds. Don’t be left behind; seize your next opportunity. Vote. Apply for that scholarship. Attend that training session. Volunteer your time. Speak up when others do not. Get that job. Start that business. Find your true love. Learn something new. Plan for retirement. Get out of the ghetto. Make your first million. Give to those less fortunate than yourself. Get your degree. Be closer to God. Stop the abuse. Raise your children. Do ya thang.

Keep your mind open to feedback whether delivered with great style and bold candor. Take charge of your life by standing up to see the opportunities at your disposal. And lastly live for today by acting as if your next breathe was your last. God will reward your for the bold new risks toward your own greatness.

During the same event I also heard from Collin Powell. Powell was an amazing speaker and provided a view of the world, government and himself that was transparent and humerous.