Friday, October 03, 2014

Ending and Beginning

Last week’s blog (81) was a reflection on the last chapter of the Tao so we have come to the end of the cycle, but out of the ending comes a new beginning.  Life, learning and project management are very much like the four seasons:  

Spring  
We are born and try things out to see what happens and through this we begin to understand how things work.  

Summer  
We continue to develop, ripen and blossom into maturity.  

Autumn  
We grow older, wiser and start to reflect on our experiences.  

Winter  
We have fulfilled our purpose so we wither and die.  But out of death comes rebirth and the cycle is repeated.  

The Way  
Lao Tzu encouraged his followers to observe and seek to understand the laws of nature. Over the years I tried to pass that wisdom on through the project management courses I developed and ran, but without much success.  I now understand that the Way cannot be taught in the same way as project management methodology, it can only be observed and understood by someone who is willing to open their mind.  Hopefully, reading this blog has helped you to open your mind, observe and perhaps understand a little more.  For me winter is approaching, now it is your turn to pass on that wisdom to others.  The Way is in front of you, be confident:  

The Way is not complex:  
Follow the simplest path for it is The Way.  

Be open with your team,  
And they will be open with you.  
Be one with the universe,  
And the universe will be one with you.  

The wise project manager is humble,  
He knows the team does the work.  
He respects and acknowledges the team, 
And they in turn respect and acknowledge him.  

The poor project manager seeks fame,  
The wise project manager seeks inner peace.  
With fame come problems,  
With inner peace comes understanding.  

The poor project manager worries about what to do next,  
The wise project manager relishes not doing.  
When nothing needs to be done,  
Do nothing, for this is the way of the project manager.  

Footnote
One or two of you have been kind enough to say you hope I will continue this blog.  I will not repeat the cycle but I will put out the occasional post for as long as I am able.

7 comments:

dare said...

Thank you.

Your blog has made me more confident and more calm. It has helped me find my way on days both difficult and easy.

Thank you.

P M Blogger said...

Thank you, it's always good to know. Enjoy your projects,
John.

Unknown said...

Your blog is wonderful. I have been a student of the Tao Te Ching since my college years. Having spent my career in the corporate world, I appreciated your blend of the TTC to the workings of that world. Now in retirement, I still read your book for the inspired thinking inside. Thank you. Best of luck in the winter of your life.

P M Blogger said...

Thank you for your kind words John, it has been an enlightening journey. Best wishes, John.

Anonymous said...

Hi PM Blogger,

My name is Uyen, and I wanted to contact you about providing some content for your site, or the possibility of contributing. I wanted to speak with you about Unfuddle. Unfuddle.com is a project management software, great for collaborating projects with teams/colleagues. We wanted to see if we could contribute an article, blog post, or link to your site.

Let me know if you have an email to coordinate this, or if you would be interested.

Thank you,
Uyen

P M Blogger said...

Hi Uyen, nice to hear from you and I love the retro image on your web site. If you have anything you would like me to consider for publication I'll be happy to consider it. I'll give you my email address through your web site.

Kind Regards,
John
(a.k.a. PM Blogger)

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