It’s really no secret, a lot of people despise project management. Why, you might ask? It’s really impossible to narrow it down as everyone ticks just a little bit differently. Heck, it may even be hard for an individual to explain why they don’t like it.
Everyone has bad days, but for some reason, you just can’t shake this hatred for project management. So, what’s the problem, and how do you fix it? We’re glad you asked. Here are a few reasons people hate project management, and the solutions to make it better.
I Just Don’t Like Talking To People
Let’s start off with a very common issue, especially when working remotely: Communication. Ironically, this is probably one of the most important things to get right when working with a remote team.
If you find yourself dreading project management because you don’t like talking to people, you’re not alone. Many people feel this way, but luckily remote work can actually make this easier. Keep in mind that when you work with a remote team, you may never have to meet the person you had an awkward conversation with. And let’s say maybe you do have a video chat conference once in a while. Well, again, it’s not necessarily face-to-face, and you can sit in your underwear the whole time (just don’t stand up during the call!)
But let’s move past that a little bit. Maybe it’s not so much of a dislike as it is a fear. The fear of talking in front of people is actually really common. It’s something that some people are great at and others… well, not so much. But here’s the thing, the only way to overcome that fear is to get out of your comfort zone and communicate more. Practice makes perfect!
No matter how you feel about talking with other people, remember that communicating with your team is essential. Communication (Emails, texts, phone calls, meetings) is one of the single most important tools in your arsenal as a project manager.
One way to make communication easier is to get to know your team better. Become friends more than colleagues. It’ll make it so much easier to communicate.
And for those times when you just don’t feel like talking, use apps like Trello and Slack to send a quick message. Yes, you’ll sometimes find yourself facilitating a meeting, but catching up through short messages in between meetings can help keep your team on the same page.
[bctt tweet=”Hate managing projects…but you have to anyway? Get your A-Game and love for #projectmanagement on with these tips.” username=”toggl plan”]
I Work Better Alone
While we have no doubt in your abilities as a project manager, it’s important to realise that you can’t juggle everything at once. Fortunately for you, you have an entire team dedicated to getting the job done.
Often times we get caught up in the details. That’s all fine and dandy as long as you have the spare time to do so. It’s important to know that as a project manager, you may have to do more delegating and less detailing. Which is perfectly okay! Your role is to make sure tasks are not just completed, but completed on time. So remember, while you CAN do it, you don’t necessarily have to.
I’m Not a Very Tidy Person
This one is also very important. There’s a huge difference between an unorganized desk and an unorganized timeline. While it is good to practice organization on even your desk, scheduling and delegating is one of the most important aspects of project management. Getting it right is so essential to an efficient and hard working team.
So, what’s the problem? You might not look forward to scheduling and planning, but it does help to know that it can be made easier.
Check this out. On Toggl Plan’s calendar, planning is as simple as clicking a name, dragging a task, and adding details. Easy peasy.
Planning is so important because it will save you time in the long run.
For example, let’s say that you have a new client that needs a project done ASAP. If your first instinct is to gather the team and to jump into it head first, we have to rewind a little bit. Again, it is absolutely vital that you plan ahead. Planning for a few hours now can literally save you a few days in the future. And unless you have a time machine (which we would really like to know about if you do) then stop, take a breather, and use your calendar and timeline apps!
Being a Project Manager Sometimes Means Hearing ‘No’
We’ve all heard it before, “Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’”. Well, it can sometimes come from the other side of the conversation, too. There’s really not much you can do about this other than showing the client why they should say yes instead. It helps to have structure and a hard working team. Do your job, do it well, and let your team do what they do best. You don’t have to be the Tiger Woods of project management.
How to Love Project Management Again
Listen, we get it. It’s not always fun or easy to be a project manager. A lot of people take a look at the job title and think, “Wow, all you do is micromanage.” But the reality is, you do whatever you need to do to get the job done. Between the timelines, paperwork, emails, meetings, and more paperwork, it’s a seemingly never ending cycle of headaches and long depressing sighs that leave the whole workplace asking you what’s wrong. But, the moral of this story is that it gets easier. You’ve probably heard the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, well, project management wasn’t made easy in a day.
So, here’s what we suggest: Work hard, be passionate, study new methods, and practice your work skills. Yes, there will be a lot of head scratching and ibuprofen, but it’s what’s at the end of the tunnel that’s worth it.
Read next » 10 Proven Project Management Tips For Small-Team Project Managers
Like many other people, Zach McDaniel gained his knowledge of management and project management through research and necessity. He believes that the most interesting thing about project management, management, and productivity is that there are so many different strategies, so there’s always something new to learn and share.
