MANAGING YOUR LIFE'S PROJECT

PMI (Project Management Institute) simply defines a project as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Therefore, we understand that project management involves all the processes put in place and carried out to ensure successful delivery of project expectations within the timeframe. Many "beautiful" projects have failed today, while others are on their way to hit the rock because of lack of proper management. This is why we study project management to learn the best practices on how to be successful in our endeavors. It is also imperative not to think of a project as building or road constructions, rockets, software packages, etc. The simple act of waking up in the morning and going to work is a project. Now this is the point where we sip a cup of lemon juice🍹 to pause 😊.

YOUR LIFE IS A PROJECT! Sadly, this is one project people do not bother to manage. We spend billions preparing and working on projects, that we forget about our own lives. If we understand that we are on a temporary journey and that our lives must produce a unique and powerful result, I believe we would spend more time planning, executing, and monitoring/controlling our lives. I specifically did not add initiating and closing, because these are not within our control. But even though we don't get to decide to be born into this world, a time comes in our lives, when we make certain decisions on what we want to become. We create certain expectations that could be deliverables in our lives. 

There are steps you must take to manage your life as a project. We shall look at three today, and the rest subsequently.

1. Recognize the Key Stakeholder: God, the Father and Creator of all things is the Key Stakeholder in your life's project. He is both the Initiator and Sponsor of your life who requires you to be unique and successful; not for Himself but for you, yes you. Every other sponsor out there has something to gain from his projects, but God is interested in you, just for your own good. 

“Is mere man of any worth to God? Even the wisest is of value only to himself! Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect"? Job 22:2-3.

Everything God does is for your own good. It pleases Him to see us live for Him, yes. But we're living for Him to our own profit. Having a relationship with Jesus is everything. He is literally the Project Manager of your life. Let Him take the lead. Why struggle when He's there to help you land well in your journey. The reason you're probably going through that marriage trouble is because you've let the Author and Finisher of Marriage 101 aside. Let Him handle that financial pain in the neck, that academic stress, that thorn in your health, career, everywhere. It doesn't promise to be all French vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate, but you'll definitely have a safe landing.

2. Define Scope: Again, this is what relationship with God will do in your life. It is at the center of everything you do. There may be some things or people in your life that do not meet the objectives of God for successful living. Let them go. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not". 1 Corinthians 10:23. Many people may be doing it, but it is not for you. And do not be deceived into believing that everyone indulges in sex outside marriage, or smoking, or masturbation, lying, cheating, etc. That is straight from hell. God has His people who live in a well defined scope for their lives. They can't allow any man to just come in and mess them up. They have their dignity to protect, they have their destiny to fulfil. Live in the word of God. That is your defined scope.

3. Know your timeline: Much as this sounds strange, but you need to have this at the fore front of your mind. Remember our definition of a project....it is temporary. Just knowing that you do not have all day is enough. God the Father knows this. Satan, the enemy knows too. This is why he goes about deceiving people within the very short periods of their lives, just to get them wasted. A Songwriter Jim Reeves wrote a song titled This World is Not my Home. "You don't have the stage forever, make sense now while you're here". How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog—now you see it; soon it is gone. James 4:14. Make impacts, affect lives positively, love unconditionally, serve God wholeheartedly, give to people as much as you can, save as much people as you can by the virtue of God's grace. One's time on earth can end either by death or by rapture. We don't get to choose. The investments you make here on earth will definitely count and yield returns in eternity. Make the right ones.

In managing your life's project, God is the main Manager, but you have your roles to play. As you align yourself with Him everyday, you begin to manage your life as He leads you. You are in His team.

Know this: You are God's project in progress. When He is through with you, all the praise will go to Him alone.