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I Almost Quit Being a Project Manager Before I Even Started


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At one point or another, you may be asked to accomplish a work initiative that makes you question all of your life choices.


You begin asking yourself: Do I truly want this job? What have I gotten myself into? Am I even a good fit for this role?

I asked myself these exact questions when I received my first official project. And honestly? I was ready to walk away from everything I'd worked so hard to achieve.


The Beast That Nearly Broke Me


My first official project was, quite simply put, a monster.


Here's what I was facing: I needed to coordinate 2,600 volunteers across multiple locations while simultaneously managing 175-200 staff members who all had different schedules and priorities. On top of that, I had to align 8 citywide agencies that each operated with their own processes and timelines. The technical scope included implementing a mobile application and dashboard that had never been deployed at this scale before. And perhaps most stressful of all, there was one exact delivery date with absolutely zero room for error.


Oh, and did I mention? Funding was riding on the success of this project.

I was terrified by the sheer volume of work that needed completion while ensuring a flawless launch on an unmovable deadline. Missing this date wasn't an option—there was a lot riding on this project, and there was no turning back.


The Moment I Almost Walked Away


When I discovered there was no documentation and no one with clear direction for this project, I was done. I told myself I couldn't possibly get this done. How could I?

Panic kicked in. Hard.


At that very moment, I had to make a choice: Make this project happen by any means necessary, or walk away from an opportunity I'd worked hard to obtain.

I decided to do my best and fail forward. Here's exactly what I did:


My Three-Step Comeback Strategy


Step 1: Foundation Building

I realized I had to address my emotions first because you simply can't lead others effectively when you're falling apart internally. Once I got my mindset right, I spoke with every single team that had previously touched this project to understand what had been done and what gaps existed. Recognizing I couldn't do everything alone, I requested intern support to handle the simpler administrative tasks that were eating up my time. Using all the information I gathered from these conversations, I developed a comprehensive project plan that mapped out every deliverable and dependency. I then secured buy-in from leadership by presenting a clear roadmap and resource requirements. Finally, I implemented a work management tool to keep everyone aligned and held my very first kickoff meeting to get all stakeholders on the same page.


Step 2: The Outcome That Changed Everything

Against all odds, we achieved a successful launch with minimal hiccups, which felt like a miracle given how chaotic things had seemed at the beginning. Not only did we meet our deadline, but we actually exceeded all expectations that had been set by leadership and stakeholders. Perhaps most importantly for the organization's future, we created comprehensive documentation for every process, decision, and lesson learned, ensuring that future teams wouldn't face the same challenges I had encountered.


Step 3: The Life-Changing Lessons

The biggest revelation was that team morale and personal morale were absolutely the make-or-break factors for the entire project—no amount of planning or tools could compensate for a demoralized team. I also learned that process documentation isn't just paperwork; it's the foundation that allows organizations to improve their systems and avoid repeating costly mistakes. Most importantly, I discovered that I can tackle any project as long as I'm willing to fail forward, learn quickly, and adapt my approach based on what the situation demands.


The Victory I Almost Missed

I was ready to throw in the towel, but found victory at the end.

I know this experience isn't mine alone. Maybe you're facing your own "impossible" project right now. Maybe you're questioning whether you have what it takes.

Here's what I want you to remember: When you feel like you don't have what it takes, the journey is what prepares you.


Take action. Keep moving forward. That overwhelming project might just be the one that transforms your entire career.


Your Turn to Share


Have you ever faced a project that made you question everything? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear your story and how you pushed through.


Struggling with an overwhelming project right now? Let's talk. I'm always happy to discuss challenging projects and help you find your path forward.

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Let's continue to become the PM pros we can be. Your breakthrough project might be the one you're avoiding right now.


 
 
 

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