Insights and inspiration for project professionals

Over the past two months, there have been two situations that triggered a real rollercoaster of emotions. The first situation tested my boundaries. As many of you know, I have gone through a spiritual journey, a search for myself. Who is Anja? And how do I stay true to my authenticity? That journey aligned my head (thinking and analyzing) with my heart (feeling). It made me stronger. Even while laughing, I remained watchful to keep that straight line in balance.

Losing Balance and Finding Strength Again

But a toxic work environment threw me off balance. My emotions began to surface through words, through micromanagement. As an HSP, I am extremely sensitive to circumstances and to people. People often think that because I smile, I do not take things seriously or that I do not approach my assignments professionally. Negative comments began to weigh heavier and heavier, and doubts started creeping in. The smile faded. Silence and distance took its place. And then came an unpleasant email from a colleague, just a few hours before I was about to leave on vacation.

Vacation should be a time to relax and recharge. For me, it became a time to turn inward again, to reconnect with myself, to restore that alignment between head and heart. Traveling through Albania, with its stunning coastal and mountain landscapes, gave me strength to find my balance again. Yet the question kept echoing in my mind: do I stay in a toxic environment, or do I look for another mission? And if I stay, why? If I say yes, I know the coming months will not be easy.

After my vacation, the atmosphere had not improved. Preparations for the PMI BeNeLux Summit 2025 were intensifying. I had also returned from a PMI Presidents’ Meeting with a viral infection that sent me straight from the airport to the emergency room. I was prescribed a strong course of antibiotics and told to rest my left arm, not easy for a left-hander.

A few hours before leaving for the Summit, another unpleasant email arrived. I decided to park it until after the event. The PMI BeNeLux Summit brought me closer to myself, reminding me why I invest so much energy and love into my volunteer work with PMI. It remains a journey of continuous learning, of falling and getting back up again and again.

Choosing to Stop

After the Summit, the situation with the client exploded, and I said: “It stops now. I am ending the assignment.” Everyone was shocked. “Wait, what?” Except for one person who simply said, “That is fine. We can move on without you.”

And here comes the courage of setting boundaries. It takes courage to stop, knowing you are ending an assignment and giving up financial security. But setting boundaries is so important. How often have you crossed your own limits? And how did you feel when you did? Exhausted, drained, full of doubt. Since I had the courage to stop, I have felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Do I regret it? No. I trust that another mission will come, one that aligns with my values and expertise. In the days following this courageous stop, my smile returned. I felt calmer, more at peace. I stayed one more week to ensure a proper handover.

A New Flow of Creativity

Since Monday, October 27, I have been at home, without an assignment but with plenty of PMI work, and that is good. I have also had meaningful conversations with those who know what I have been through over the past two months. I still feel a bit exhausted from the antibiotics, which I was finally able to stop this week.

I am grateful I had the courage to stop. Everything will be all right. My creativity is flowing again, and I am developing a three-part webinar series that can be followed as a sequence or individually. A conversation with Joachim Dehais from the PMI Switzerland Chapter inspired me to create it, an integrated webinar around three pillars: Simplicity, Difference, and Boundaries. Why those three pillars? That is my expertise and my talent. I am known for turning complexity into simplicity. I am different because I integrate laughter and breathing into my professional assignments, and thanks to my spiritual journey, I can build boundaries to live and lead with integrity.

The Power of Co-Creations: Thank You

October was all about collaboration on different levels.

Collaboration between three PMI Chapters led to an incredibly powerful event: the PMI BeNeLux Summit. On October 10, nearly 400 project managers gathered in Maastricht for a day themed “Project Management in the Era of AI,” built around three pillars: Precision, Innovation, and Creativity. Both national and international speakers shared their expertise and perspectives on the impact of AI in the world of project management.

As President, I am immensely proud and grateful for this wonderful collaboration. Working together with three chapters adds an extra dimension: a team that barely knew each other grew into one that supported and helped one another whenever needed, without being asked. The shift in energy showed how volunteers can unite around one great passion: project management.

Another co-creation took place at Ghent University, where, together with Geert Cloostermans, Director of Academic and Outreach, we at PMI Belgium had the honor of presenting an award to student Linde van Hulle upon completing her Master’s in Corporate Finance.

You might ask what Finance has to do with Project Management. In fact, everything. Just look back at the Project Cost Management chapter in the PMBOK® Guide – Eighth Edition, which once again emphasizes the importance of knowledge areas.

The graduation ceremony was a remarkable experience. As award presenters, Geert and I were invited to join the academic procession alongside the rector, vice-rector, and professors of the master’s programs, a truly special moment. After the ceremony, we met Linde, whom we definitely plan to invite to our next New Year’s reception.

The next co-creation was our third event with the IIBA Brussels Chapter. Once again, we revisited our Happy Town event, this time through the lens of project managers and business analysts. A third dimension was added: the product owner.

It turned out to be an engaging evening and, for some participants, a real eye-opener regarding the role of the business analyst. Many organizations today still struggle to distinguish between these three roles; often, it is the project manager who ends up taking them all on. Yet this collaboration with the IIBA Chapter demonstrated once again that interaction among these roles is vital to the success of any project, whatever the project may deliver.

The Last Two Months of the Year and a New Beginning Ahead

As we enter the final stretch of the year, we are also approaching an exciting moment for our PMI Chapter. Some of our dedicated board members are reaching the end of their term, and that means it is time to open the door for new leadership, fresh energy, and bold ideas.

In reference to the approved bylaws rev. 7 (17 December 2024), we are now inviting passionate members to step forward and join our leadership team in one of the following roles:

• President
• Vice President
• Director of Sponsorship
• Associate Director of Finance
• Associate Director of Professional Development

If you have ever felt inspired to make a difference, to contribute your ideas, your energy, and your vision, now is the perfect time. Together, we can continue building a vibrant, connected, and forward-thinking PMI community.

Your voice matters. Your contribution shapes our future. Take the leap, show your courage, and become part of the next chapter of our Chapter.

 

Anja Vandenbergh, PMP
President, PMI Belgium Chapter
president@pmi-belgium.be