PMI Phoenix Chapter is looking for Mentors and Mentees for the  

2022 Mentorship Program!! 

The PMI Phoenix Chapter is proud to offer members and non-members the following exciting, engaging, and rewarding mentorship programs, at no additional cost:  

Professional Mentorship Program (members only) - This program is designed for project management professionals working in the field who need the short-term support of someone more senior. Mentees will engage with their mentor weekly for a few months, in an on-demand, unstructured setting to reach specific personal and professional goals. Mentoring may include a resume or LinkedIn profile review, a mock job interview, career advice, an individual development plan, and insights and recommendations on professional certifications to enhance your skillset.  
Newcomer Mentorship Program (new members within last 90 days) - Are you new to the greater Phoenix area? We have an exciting newcomer mentorship program to connect you with another PMI Phoenix member and help welcome you to the area and give you a local project management professional contact! Mentoring may include: attending chapter meetings and webinars with your mentor (so you are not going alone), introducing you to other chapter and board members, and introducing you to local connections on LinkedIn. This is a great way to quick-start your networking!  
 

Mentoring Requirements 

Be available at least weekly to a paired Mentee to advise and counsel 
Help set and achieve concrete, realistic goals 
Create an open environment for working together 
Communicate effectively and be empathic to how others are engaging 
Provide encouragement 
Facilitate learning 
Give thoughtful, constructive, kind feedback and offer suggestions 
Recommend resources and professional development opportunities 
Maintain enthusiasm for the mission of the PMI Phoenix Chapter 
 

Mentee Requirements: 

Be available at least weekly to a paired Mentor to learn and grow in project management skills and abilities 
Develop and achieve concrete, realistic goals 
Create an open environment for working together 
Listen to my mentor’s advice and guidance 
Be open about what may be getting in the way of my goals 
Be willing to try new things (webinars, classes, workshops, strategies) 
Acquire the skills needed to be successful in my professional development 
Maintain enthusiasm for the mission of the PMI Phoenix Chapter 
If you have an interest, don’t wait! The Mentorship Program cycle kicks off now!  

APPLICANTS:

Mentors: Click here to apply. 

Mentees: Click here to apply. 

Over the course of our life, as we progress from struggling college students to thriving professionals, there are often a few recurring themes. “Focus on being productive instead of busy” and “Nothing worth having comes easy”. One maxim I feel is crucial, “work hard, play hard”1 can be traced back to 1827, but when asking the average American, more than one in four would describe themselves as “super stressed”.2 To me, this means we are putting more focus on “work hard” and a lot less on “play hard”. 

Finding the balance between work hard and play hard can be a lot more important than many people realize. Poor work/life balance has proven to increase stress levels and lower productivity. High stress levels impact concentration, emotions, and can even lower our immune system. New research conducted by Mental Health America shows chronic stress can double the risk of heart attack. 2

Balancing work/life demands is not a one-time activity nor a one solution that fits all. It is an on-going process unique to each person and situation requiring a willingness to take time for yourself. Maybe it means stepping away from your computer or phone for five minutes, going for a walk, or spending time with a beloved pet, family member, or friend. I can’t tell you what will work, but ask yourself these questions and see if you can start figuring it out for yourself.

“What is currently causing me stress or to be unhappy with where I am?”

“What am I prioritizing and what am I sacrificing?”

“What makes me feel better?”

Pay attention to how these questions make you feel and be honest with yourself. It is OK to admit to not being happy or even that maybe you need some help finding answers. While you are working to find answers, and keep in mind they may change over time4, try a few of the tips below. Remember, there is no one true answer, and it is never wrong to reach out for help. 

While at Work³

• Set manageable goals: We all like to check those boxes and reach our goals. Just be reasonable and realistic. Be willing to re-assess your abilities and accept that bad days happen and there is always tomorrow.

• Take Five minutes: Be willing to step away for just five minutes to catch your breath and re-center yourself. It’s amazing what five minutes can do.

While at Home

Put the tech down: Step away from your email and work chat. Unless required by your job, when your day is done, you are off the clock and do not need to respond. It is OK to be unavailable.

• Treat yourself right: It is easy to fall prey to quick and easy meals that fast food or microwave options provide. And occasionally doing that is OK, but be mindful to eat right and exercise (even just a walk around the block). You will feel better in the long run.

• Get help if you need it: If you are constantly overwhelmed, depressed, or just unhappy, it may be time to talk to a professional. 

References

1. Queen's University. "Truth to age-old maxim 'work hard, play hard'." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 June 2016. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160629105940.htm .

2. “Work Life Balance”. Mental Health America, 2023. https://www.mhanational.org/work-life-balance

3. “Work-Life Balance Is a Cycle, Not an Achievement”. Harvard Business Review. January 29, 2021. < https://hbr.org/2021/01/work-life-balance-is-a-cycle-not-an-achievement> 

4. “About Mental Health”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm#:~:text=Mental%20health%20includes%20our%20emotional,childhood%20and%20adolescence%20through%20adulthood .  

Dear PMI Phoenix Chapter Members,  I hope your summer was healthy and safe. Now that fall is almost here, so is our Arizona PM Summit! This extraordinary adventure is waiting for you, ready t...

Culture and behaviors are inseparable facets of human existence, intricately interwoven in the tapestry of societies around the world. As diverse as humanity itself, culture defines our beliefs, values, traditions, and customs, while behaviors reflect our actions, attitudes, and interactions.

Within a professional organization, culture is the collective set of values, beliefs, behaviors, norms, and communication styles that define its identity and influence the interactions and work environment of its members. It sets the tone for collaboration, decision-making, and overall organizational effectiveness.

So, how does PMI define culture?

“Our culture is a community wide agreement of how we get things done, how we treat each other, and how we can all expect to be treated”.

It includes the following important elements:

• How we collaborate with each other
• How we act
• What it feels like to volunteer or work with PMI
• Our mindset, behaviors, and attitudes

At PMI, our systems and processes are WHAT we do. HOW we do them, the mindset and behaviors we choose, is culture. When we talk about organizational culture at PMI, we are talking about our communities of staff and volunteers, not the wider project management community.

What are the Culture Values and Behaviors at PMI?

• Make it Easy
• Aim Higher
• Be Welcoming
• Embrace Curiosity
• Together we can

Over the next several newsletters, we will delve deeper into each of these culture values and behaviors. Check out the PMI Culture Hub to learn more.