How to Stay Motivated for PMP Exam
How to Stay Motivated for PMP Exam
Motivation is key to staying motivated for the PMP Certification Exam. If you are constantly sacrificing time for what you love, studying can become a tedious task. These are eight tips to help you stay on track as you study for your PMP exam.
1. Use PMP Jargon to Surround Yourself
Let’s start with where you are sitting during the day. Is there any space on your cubicle/office wall? What about your bedroom if there isn’t enough space in the office? A poster with the PMP knowledge areas or ITTOs could be very helpful.
2. Change your Screensavers and Backgrounds
Use study material to create a screensaver image for your phone or computer. To use Table 3.2 from the PMBoK as your screensaver, you can take a picture. The same thing can be done with the desktop picture. Switching to different PMP topics might help you to learn more material. You could set Table 3.2 as your screensaver, and the EVM Formulas as your computer’s background. You can absorb 4 different study materials if you have a computer and a smartphone.
3. Use PMP-related passwords
Let’s talk about another way to surround yourself with the PMP while on the computer, since so many people are constantly using the computer. What about creating PMP passwords or, more accurately, why are you taking PMP passwords. A company might offer a bonus of up to $3k if the PMP exam passes. Maybe the motivation is that PMPs make at least $10k/yr higher. Your password could be: Buy$omething$10k, $10kLetsdothis or $3kBonusIsWaiting.
4. Connect with PMP resources via Social Media
Social media is now a major part of our daily lives. Instead of using social media sites such as Facebook to connect with friends, why not use them to advance your career? You can “Like” PMI’s Project Management Study pages to receive daily updates on project management. These posts could be a wakeup call for you to quit Facebook and get back to studying. There are many ways LinkedIn can help you get involved with the PMP. PMP Trivia is one example of a group that can be followed. RSS Feeds, blogs (such as those from GreyCampus), podcasts, and podcasts are all great ways to learn. You can also search hashtags on Twitter and FaceBook to keep up to date with the latest trends. Some hashtags to use are #PMI, #PMPMP, and #PMPEXAM.
5. Wear it!
Hulk Hogan stated that before he had any resemblance to muscles in his stomach, Hulk started wearing a tanktop to motivate himself towards 6-pack abs. This was something I thought of the other day as I saw a person with an “Abs coming Soon” shirt on Facebook. Why not focus that attention on the PMP instead? Wear a shirt that says “PMP Coming Soon”, or “Let’s Get PMP Certified” during your weekend study time.
6. Use a Schedule
Some people find it easier to get motivated when they manage the PMP project as a project and schedule it using a software program like Microsoft Project. The best scheduling method is to use a milestone approach. You should plan when you will take the test. Next, assign dates for when each knowledge area or ITTOs will be available. This will help you determine if your expectations are too high or too low.
7. Find a Support System
To pass the PMP, I believe it is important to surround yourself with people who are supportive of your cause. It is helpful to tell your family and friends about your goals. However, sharing what you know about the PMP lessons with them will help you retain it. Tell your family about Monte Carlo Simulation at dinner. You could also consider joining a PMI Chapter. This is where like-minded people come together to help each other.
