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Projects Pivot

With decades of experience managing all types of projects, we're ready to share our invaluable tips, tricks, and tidbits. Don't just tick boxes—master the art of managing people and projects. Sign up now!

Graphic of a person’s head with a tangled scribble representing a busy or confused mind.

70,000 Thoughts

Hi Reader, Did you know the average person has between 10,000 and 70,000 thoughts a day? I think it’s safe to say that those of us leading projects sit on the higher end of that scale, closer to 70,000 thoughts per day. Between deadlines, talkative stakeholders, and the occasional “Did I send that email?” or “Where are my keys?” moments, our minds rarely rest. But the real question is how many of those thoughts are you actually aware of? And how many are actually helping you? The monkey mind...
A white paper with "Good Enough" printed in bold black letters, placed on a wooden surface.

The Stickler

Hi Reader, I’ll admit it. I’m a stickler, and I know it. It’s one of the reasons I’m good at leading complex projects. But it also means that sometimes I can drive myself (and others) a little bananas when plans go off track. Not long ago, a new acquaintance found out I’m a project manager and laughed, “Don’t people run away from you when they see you in the halls?” They’re not wrong. It’s happened more than once. Extreme Stickler-ness According to Merriam-Webster, a stickler is: stick·ler...
Two red gears with upward arrows on a light blue circle, symbolizing growth or progress.

Get Out Of Your Own Way

Hi Reader, “Every single day, you are actively sabotaging your wellness, your performance and your relationships.” Shirzad Chamine, Author Pretty strong words, right? But many of us are sabotaging ourselves without even realizing it. Why? Because instead of running our own minds, we let our minds run us. I often have a little voice in my head that says, “You’re terrible at presentations.” Or even worse, “You’re doing a lousy job at managing this project.” That voice feels convincing. But when...
Colorful illustration of three theater masks, two happy and one sad.

Cast of Characters

Hi Reader, Every project team has its cast of characters. Some are quiet thinkers, others are natural cheerleaders, a few can switch personalities depending on the day, and at least one person seems to love poking holes in every idea. The fun part is when you stop seeing those differences as clashes and start seeing them as strengths. That’s when the team really clicks and gets things done. I’ve had some great feedback from readers who liked my earlier thoughts on personality types, so I...
Illustration of a historic church with two bell towers and a central entrance, surrounded by small bushes

The Devil's Advocate

Hi Reader, I once had a colleague who was always contrary in team meetings. She would constantly bring up potential problems and issues with whatever we talked about. Yet, she did it with a smile and a mischievous glint in her eye. At first I thought she just liked being difficult, but over time I realized she was doing us a huge favour. She was spotting risks we might have overlooked, and in her own playful way, she had become our team’s very own Devil’s Advocate. History of the Devil's...
Colorful musical notes arranged in a curve on a light blue circular background

Dissonant Harmony

Hi Reader, Over this past weekend, my city hosted more than 175 live music acts. How’s anyone supposed to choose? We finally picked one of the bands playing an acoustic set. But instead of just relaxing and enjoying the music, I strangely found myself studying how they worked together on stage. The soloist took the lead, and the piano player never took their eyes off them and were listening closely, ready to match the pace and follow every shift in rhythm. It felt less like a performance and...
Beige tiny home with windows, door, and plants on a wooden deck.

Simplicity

Hi Reader, Last weekend I stayed in a tiny home for the very first time. It was small, cozy, and charming, yet had everything I needed. Life felt wonderfully simple. My friends and I have been challenging each other lately to cut out unnecessary clutter and live with a little more lightness. None of us plan on moving into a tiny home full time, but the experience gave me a glimpse of minimalism. It was both grounding and powerful. A day later, as I was looking out over Lake Huron surrounded...
Graphic of three people sitting at a table, talking with speech bubbles above them.

The Power of Personalities

Hi Reader, Today, we’re talking about people. And how much they actually talk… or don’t talk at all. Who’s doing most of the talking in your work meetings? And at home, who can’t stop chatting at the dinner table? What about that quiet observer who is watching everything unfold without saying much? Then there are those who sometimes jump into the conversation, and other times just sit back and take it all in. Showing our personalities All of this comes down to personality, and how differently...

Door Crashers

Hi Reader, I was riding the train this past weekend, happily watching the scenery roll by, when the next stop brought some excitement. A bunch of people in colourfully themed costumes suddenly swarmed the doors I was sitting next to, led by a frazzled organizer determined to pack the entire group into one car. Meanwhile, the conductor, clearly desperate to keep the train on schedule, urged the group to spread out across different cars. But the organizer refused, insisting everyone had to stay...
Clipboard with a checklist and a pencil, three boxes checked and one empty

Solo Productivity

Hi Reader, How productive were you this past week? I was super productive. Want to know my secret? It wasn’t a new app, a fancy planning tool, or working longer hours. It was something much simpler: I spent time alone. Time for yourself I used to be a go-go-go kind of person, filling every waking moment with activities and always surrounded by people. Now, I give myself space between social commitments, and this time alone has become just as valuable as the gatherings themselves. It allows me...

With decades of experience managing all types of projects, we're ready to share our invaluable tips, tricks, and tidbits. Don't just tick boxes—master the art of managing people and projects. Sign up now!