Project Managers are typically seen as logical, analytical, rational, left-brained and data driven – to the point and getting things done. What is missed often is that excellent Project Managers live and breathe in the mystical land of intuition and knowing and spending time talking about that which “cannot be explained.” Our subconscious mind takes in and processes information 500,000 times faster than our conscious mind. And more than that, only 0.01% of all brain activity is conscious!! So, when it comes down to it, your subconscious mind actually has a lot more data and resources to make an informed and rational decision. It’s this space that Project Managers draw from when they make the most complex of projects become a reality. Years of research on intuition or knowing have resulted in the knowledge that these concepts are a whole lot less abstract that we once thought. The science shows us that intuition boils down to two things:
Experience, Expertise, and intuition can be learned when we start to think of it through this simple equation:
Intuition = Experience + Expertise
Experience (or repeated exposure):
Experience is the life equivalent of experimentation. You put yourself out there, you win some and lose some, and always learn in the process. It’s the playground where you can try things out. Intuitive Project Managers have been on their own playgrounds exposing themselves repeatedly to challenges that require dedication and effort to hone their skills. They set up a project plan and sometimes they win, sometimes they learn. They don’t see their shortcomings as failures but rather view it as opportunities to learn and grow.
Expertise (owning your craft)
As we become a master of our trade, we help shape our subconscious mind and understand which observations are more important, valid and reliable. As individuals working in the space of Project Management, we’ve been building your experience from day one. As we’ve continued on this journey, we’ve also developed our expertise. We’ve been working on experience since the very beginning of our Project Management journey and we’ve developed some expertise along the way. You may be wondering – “how can I intentionally and strategically put myself in experiences that will help me build my intuition, expertise and self-trust?”
It all starts with a little vision and planning
You’ve probably thought a lot about what your life will look like once you’ve achieved your optimal PM role. It may be leading a large enterprise wide, national or global project, or it may be you leading a new start up organization. But have you thought about what your life will look like beyond the working world and how your chosen career path may impact that life you’re looking to build?
Find your intuition
You may be thinking, “but where does this intuition live?”
Intuition isn’t like a light switch:
You can’t just turn it on and expect it to light up your whole life immediately. Intuition is more like stoking a fire. It takes some time and energy to build up those flames, but then, that light will keep burning brightly.
Intuition isn’t universal:
You need to start with a map. You need to know where you are right now and have at least an idea of where you’re going or what you want your world to look like.
In your mind
Sometimes you’ll get a thought about something without any specific trigger. Maybe you meet someone new and the thought “this seems like a trustworthy person” pops into your mind. And you’re not even sure where the thought came from (but you listen anyway!).
In your body
Your body loves giving you feedback. Ever notice sweaty palms all of a sudden, or get butterflies in your stomach when you see another meeting invite pop up in your calendar? This is our body’s way of giving us “sings” of what might be coming.
In your spirit
We often feel strong emptions that can’t be mistaken. We’re angry, we’re joyful, we’re bored, we’re excited. Other times we just feel “someway”. We have a feeling that we can’t quite put our finger on, and that we also can’t shake. That’s your spirit talking to you!
Your brain is where all the information from your mind, body and spirit comes together. Your brain integrates that information and decides what to do with it. Sometimes, we decide to write things off because it can be easy to ignore our intuition when we’re “outvoted” by external expectations. Ever been in a meeting and had a great “feeling” about an idea, only to give in and go with another idea when everyone else seems to be on that side?
Well, intuition or knowing is different that solid thoughts
and beliefs, so that it can be easier to write off as “nothing” and trust in others when we’re in the minority.
What does your intuition look like to you?
What is a situation where you often ignore your intuition?
How can you honor your intuition today?
One of the best ways to foster intuition is self-reflection. Practicing reflection on a daily basis is important and will help you stay present and learn as you move through your journey and avoid getting stuck in the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” cycle.
There is no time to start like the present, so put your self-reflection cap on and think about the one thing that is keeping you up at night.
What did you do?
What urges came up?
How did you handle your triggers?
What did you do to take care of yourself?
Remember, the answers to these questions are simply information – not good, not bad, just information. Information to help you learn, grow and thrive. By answering these questions, you are reflecting on your pain points and understanding your triggers. Remember the experience cube? That’s one way of facilitating your reflection as you answer these questions, and in doing so, you slowly but surely start to hone into your intuition.
Tying intuition into Project Management
As you expose yourself to more projects and initiatives, your practice of self-reflection will lend its hand to the way you assess your projects, the resources you have available, the budget you need work within, the scope of what needs to be delivered on and the time you have to complete the project. You will also start to draw parallels to your past experiences and in doing so, you bring your ever growing expertise into your design and planning of the project at hand. At times when you’re stuck or your back is up against an improbable deadline, your body may urge you to head out for a run to burn off some steam and on that run, you may have an “a-ha!” moment that helps you meet that deadline miraculously! We hope this little visit with your intuition has helped you recognize that you can lean in and trust yourself with the decisions you make, and that it continues to strengthen your relationship with those feelings that come up in moments of tension and creativity.
