From Stress to Success

Passing the PMP ExamFrom Distress to Success

1About UsElaine T. Jackson, PMPCEO, Holistic Project Management Consulting

Elaine Jackson is a highly proficient and dedicated Project Management Coach who enjoys teaching project managers techniques that lead to passing the Project Management Certification Exam with total confidence!

Elaine Jackson achieved her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in 2008. Elaine has perfected the PMP Exam study process and has a closing rate of 95%. Elaine Jacksons mission is to assist Project Managers world-wide, in virtual and face-to-face environments, to be most ready for the PMP Certification Exam

She holds a BS in Biology from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY and is a graduate from the Entrepreneurial Business Training Program in Andover, MA.

2About UsCarla Fair-Wright, PMP, ASQ CSQE, MCPExecutive Director, Optimal Consulting LLC

Carla is an ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer and Microsoft Certified Professional with a BS in Computer Science, and Associate Degrees in Electronic Technology and Technical Management.

She has more than 20 years' experience as a project manager and software professional in the computer industry. Carla achieved her PMP certification in 2009 and is a longtime member of the Project Management Institute (PMI). She is a founding member of the Project Managers of Houston (PMOH), a non profit organization that assists nonprofits to provide greater social impact.

3Studying for the PMP exam is very demanding.

We offer some great suggestions on how to make the process easier, fun, and complete.

Our technique goes one step further than most PMP Preps because we also teach you how to manage your emotional well-being during the exam.

From Distress to Success 15 Exceptional Study Techniques for passing the PMP Exam

4PMP Roadmap

5Session OutlineTip 01 - Not All PMP Programs Are The Same Tip 02 - Study Hours Tip 03 - Mindmapping Tip 04 - Cheat Sheets Really Do Work Tip 05 - Mock Exams - Take Or Don't Take Tip 06 -Stop Telling Everyone Your PMP Business Tip 07 Choosing Your PMP Exam Date * * * Tip 08- Master Time Management Tip 09 -Develop A Positive Mental Attitude Tip 10 - Nutrition And Brain Power Tip 11 -Exercise -The Easy Way Tip 12 - Studying With Music Tip 13 - The Power Of Sleep Tip 14 - Test Taking Strategies Tip 15 - Control Stress

6Are All PMP Programs Equal?

Which program is best for your studying needs?

Compare schools and programs!

Which program agrees with study style? Should you just look at cost?

Graphic design from collection of Oliver Lehmann

How are you ever to make the right training decision for your PMP Education?Many of you have already been exposed to hundreds or even thousands of PMP programs. How fan you choose the best program? OR better stated how to find training that works for your learning format. Lets take a quick look at the different ways you can achieve PMP training needed to be ready for the PMP Exam*Self-Study - this approach allows you to study at your own pace; skip homework if you choose; delay on sending in your PMP Application. PROS -- for students that can work independently and hold themselves accountable; lower cost option CONS there is so much material, one needs guidance to crunch the material, time is wasted with chatter; duration seems like eternity*Study Group group of individuals getting together and studying together PROS you should be congratulated on taking the initiative to want to study with your peers CONS -- two or more people studying a topic they dont know --similar to blind studying some of the harder material is not properly learned*Virtual classroom with live instructor this approach allows flexibility of studying mode and timing PROS -- study at home or at work and increase ability to study longer after each training call; saving time for travel, not missing work days at work CONS -- some students are visual learners and need to have face-to-face contact with the instructor; Moderately priced; Duration tolerable*Face-To-Face program allows direct interactions with student and instructor to increase learning and to reduce opportunities of multitasking. PROS instructor holds students totally accountable every class for participation and assignments CONS cost factors can include the cost for meals, cost for instructor travel; cost can be inflatedThis is brief way of looking at the factors that are related to picking a PMP program. But how do you learn?When have you measured your learning to be the best training ever received? Didnt you tell your friends about this and raved about it on facebook?Your program for PMP training should be a program that does not add stress to your already crowded program when looking at work life balance.See to eliminate extra activities that make room for the chosen PMP program. Pick a program that you can stick with an accomplish success.

7Get Correct Information

Graphic design from collection of Oliver Lehmann

How are you getting the information you need to make proper training decisions?Are you searching for reliable coaches? They should come with criteria that will reduce your anxieties and increasing your testing confidence?Are you going to consider recommendations from the web, from friends or pick the most expensive program - hoping for the best?

You should use caution when a company claims 100% pass rate - How an they predict what will happen to you in the prometric testing center.

And if they state they will pay for your retake exam I know I sure dont want to have such a blatant waste of my precious time by being ready for a retake.

Do a thorough research on all the perks offered to calculate if you are already paying for that in the total cost.

Most PMP instructors will take time to go over their offerings with you to make sure there is a good match between student and teacher.Believe it or not- no teacher wants a nightmare teaching experience either.

8Study Hours How much studying is enough?

When are you ready to take the PMP Exam?

What if you are not ready to take the exam?

Strange feelings I get when I think of the PMP Exam?

So you just came in from work you are T-I-R-E-D.H-U-N-G-R-Y- .. I-R-R-I-T-A-T-E-D!You have three more weeks to your PMP exam date?You still have not learned all the EVM formulas and Procurement chapter was never read.What do you do? Complain to your significant other You adjust your priorities and add study time to your calendarAsk your manager to put you on short term disability so you can have more time for studying Quit and start studying all over again: next year or in the summer when there is more time, or in the winter when things get better

Excuses Excuses

Have you ever noticed that when someone wants something - they will do whatever is necessary to make it happen.I say to make this training a priority and make sure everyone knows how important this training is for your futureSee a champion that will buffer space around you so that you will be able to get quality studying done with a Cheering team behind you.

Studying 3 hours daily is a great start because starting too intense will lead to you burning yourself outYour study time should be coordinated with the exam date The closer you get to the exam date- the more intense studying you should be doing to be completely ready for the big test day!

How do you know you are ready? I am guessing the same way when you know you are not ready?You get high scores on Mock test when you are ready --- you dont know many of the answers when you are not readyYou are seeing pages of the PMBOK turning in your dreams VS you dont get any sleep and are worried all night about not being ready to testYour notes are thoroughly marked with a confirmation check on each line VS you did not take great notes and your book looks only 25% read

If you are not ready to take the exam we recommend you go back to start (chapter 1 of all PMP books) and start reading and taking notes all over again.Now if this is the 3rd or 4th time you are going back to chapter 1 and you never made it pass chapter 5.. You need a coach to hold you accountable to a better study

If you are not ready to the exam move you exam date out and give yourself the room needed to be able to be ready.Dont move your test date out by 2-3 months. It is suggested that you do that for a period of 10-14 days. This keeps the pressure on you to get more ready for the exam. The pressure you put on yourself to study should be measure by hoe badly you really want to pass the PMP exam

Story of individual planning what to do if they fail XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXPlan for passing like it really matters

So what is that strange feeling in your tummy?AdrenalineToastmasters

Use this intense moment to your advantage.Turn nervous situation into strengthsIdentify what you dont know and seek to add it to your list of what you really do know9MindmappingExpand your memoryTest day acrobaticsMental acquisition of your cheat sheet

"How do you eat an Elephant ? one-bite-at-a-time!

What learning material stimulates for greater learning: schematics / graphs/ charts/ text / colors

Start small --------- Expand intensity

Memorization based on colors in the long and mid wavelength ranges of the color spectrum.

10Cheat Sheets Do Work Study to your best advantage

Stuck on some topics

Understand everything for the exam?

Approach to an intense test.

11Mock ExamsValidate Mock Exam Sources?

Are Mock Exams Prior PMP Exams?

How Many Mock Exams are needed?

Mock test scores measure exam readiness

12Should you be talking?

ssshhhhh

13Your PMP Business Limit information sharing

Dont allow others to interfere with your study time

Add study time onto your calendar as an event

Only cancel study for really urgent issues

Announce test date when ready

14Your PMP Exam Date Choose training program based on end date

Don't be afraid to change your PMP test date

Schedule time off from work before your exam date

15PMP Roadmap

16PMP Roadmap

17Positive Mental Attitude

Emotions are tied in with memory

Negative thinking can impact your ability to recall

Being positive causes sharpens your focus and you think clearer.18Positive Mental Attitude

Positive Thinking Techniques:

1. Write It Down

2. Replacement5. Use A Vision Board

6. Circle of Encouragement3. Positive Affirmations

4. Visualization7. Celebrate The Small Steps19Exercise -The Easy Way

What is the best remedy for any fears or anxiety about taking the PMP Exam: EXERCISE.

Aim for Aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling for 30-60 minutes every day.

Aerobic exercise helps improve blood flow which transports oxygen and glucose to your brain.

20Nutrition And Brain Power

What you eat can affect how well you study.

A diet rich in essential fatty acids, fruits and vegetables does wonders for your brain power.

Relationship of Glucose and cognitive performance 21Master Time Management

Studying for the PMP is really about time -management, discipline, and perspective

These are things within your control.

Develop a long-range study plan

22Studying With Music

Studies have found that music can:

Reduce Stress

Aid Relaxation

Alleviate Depression

Help you store and recall information

23The Power Of Sleep

Sleep is crucial for your Brain

Sleep Hygiene Tips

Maintain A Regular Sleep RoutineAvoid naps if possibleDont stay in bed awake for more than 5-10 minutes.Exercise regularly

24PMP Roadmap25Test StrategiesAre you prepared mentally?

Things to bring with you.

How to take the test. 26Control StressStress is Good?

Your goal should be "Stress management" and not stress elimination.

Techniques for Controlling StressBreatheStretchMaintain A Healthy Lifestyle

27Passing the PMP ExamFrom Distress to Success

28Questions

29Focus Group Like to part of our focus group for our book?

Send your name, email address, phone# to carla.fair@hotmail.com

In the subject line: FDTS Focus Group

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