Stare Out The World

I clearly remember the time when being a young student I worked as a security officer at one little small shop. What I remember else is that, after that time, during three months I couldn’t get rid of the habit to stare everything from the security point of view: if there are emergency exits, how it’s secure from fire accidents, or the habit to observe, first of all, hands of people I met before their faces: if their hands were open – there was no danger, if their hands were hidden behind the back, or deeply in pockets – it may be dangerous despite of this person was endowing you with the kindest and purest smile in the world...

Recollecting in my mind these good old times, unwittingly I exited the elevator cabin and founded myself just in front of the office door where I work.

When I entered the office I felt thunderstruck: it suddenly seemed to me I entered the wrong office. After checking the office room I looked into and just then recognized my colleague.  It was ok – I entered right. But I still kept feeling that I was in another place compared to traditional one I used to work at. My brains were carrying on repeating me over again that something was inconvenient here.  Not as cozy as it was the day before. I tried and realized the fact which disturbed me so much: the fire security was shot here. Moreover, no emergency exit at all and ventilation hardly available. Reflecting in such strange direction, I casted a cursory glance from the window, but… instead of usual picture containing beautiful garden outside, I saw the roof of the building in the opposite side accessed to everyone who wished to come upstairs secretly: and then… pair of glasses and rifle in excellent concord with the panorama to our office…

What happened? Why did I notice something unusual in usual things I was used to seeing everyday?

The sole answer is that under influence of my memories I started look at my habitual work environment with the eyes of a security officer. In result, there emerged many vital questions of security. They were hidden before, because for years I get used to looking at things not as a security officer.

We are all prisoners of our habits. They help to find and keep the optimal models for thinking, for decision-making.

And that’s why different people see the world differently – in unique way, corresponding to their individual experience. But making aware of it, I believe it’s possible to collect different templates and patterns of visioning the same things with different eyes.

Realizing that, I tried and thought as if I was a businessman, and threw a look to the very office room – now completely other picture I saw: what is the rent cost, how much manufacture units it’s possible to put in here together, if it would be profitable, etc.

Probably, a designer look would provoke absolutely other questions like – what is the best colors combination in this room, what kind of furniture and accessories have to be provided in the way to improve the ambience, etc.

Therefore, professionals observe the world from their professional look.

So, finally, if you are going to be a professional project manager look around your habitual environment, and open it from the new, undiscovered side. Looking through the world – look for a project. I realized that and first thing I did was that I smiled to my colleague. The absolutely new working day has begun.