PMP Lessons Learned with Feli P.

I saw so many videos with you and success stories, and now being here with you, it's just surreal.

Well, congratulations on passing your PMP exam.

Thank you.

Yeah, that's really huge. So tell me, how did you do it? How did it happen?

I saw your page on Facebook, and it was 2 years ago, and I really loved the whole layout, the structure, your voice. I mean, I had your voice in my ears forever, like driving the car, at work, at home, only you talking. So I really like that.

Thank you.

But for the first time, I didn't take it seriously. Like, I was more procrastinating, and then, okay, give it a shot. And then the second time, my mind was not in the right state, and that distracted me from focusing, and I lost the, the Essence, you know, like I was reading but my mind was not there. Yeah, so, um, this was actually my last chance.

So it's very good.

Yes, yes, and I'm not ashamed. I— my background is financial background, and I was working in program management as a program Control analyst, so it was good to see you know the CPI, the SPI, everything. But whenever it came with in depth, you know like I was not having the touch like okay, I'm not getting it, you know. And I had coworkers that were program managers, and they said well. You see, you are missing the experience as of, you know, being in command and taking some decisions other than, you know, making recommendations on a financial standpoint. But I said, okay, let me give it a try and prove you wrong. So, uh, it was, I would I would say 2 solid months that I put my mind to it, and I reviewed again your materials. I, um, took the boot camp that, um, yeah, you took it, Johnson. Um, I—

Oh, Jennifer.

Jennifer Johnson. And it was, uh, but I, I will tell you, before Before the exam, I decided no more tests. I took all the practice tests. I took even some camp tests, you know. I said, okay, the night before I said, let me review again Helena's material, and I saw at the very end you had some I would say it was like a boot camp from my point of view, you know, and I liked more yours. I said, wow, why didn't I, you know, scroll down the entire page? And it was refreshing. So I did nothing but listening and watching you. Everything was summarized, and I like that version too. And next day, my schedule— my exam was scheduled on a Sunday. I did it on purpose because, as I said, the state of mind matters a lot. So I said, you know, I will be relaxed. Nobody is home. I will take it from home.

And why?

To avoid the embarrassment of having the hand, you failed, you know, by someone at the testing center.

Sure.

Secondly, wearing the mask for 4 hours, you know, your mind is— I said I need to focus only on the exam. And then the other reason that I didn't do it at the test center You know, despite the fact that they have the headphones, whatever, to isolate the noise, actually for me it's amplifying, you know.

So you did it from home?

I did it from home. So what they did, they put me to cover all the mirrors. It was like I was moving out of the room. Everything was You know, not on the side. The mirrors all had to be covered, and then not even a pen on my desk. Uh, don't wear a Fitbit, you know, nothing.

Mm-hmm.

And, um, I was very relaxed because I knew how it's gonna be. I was all prepared, and whenever the exam started I, um, I kind of— sorry, my battery is low. Um, I kind of had the confidence that I did right, you know, especially at the, at the middle whenever it came to question 89.

Yeah.

And I didn't go back. I said, if I'm going back, I'm gonna second-guess myself, and I don't want that. I said, whatever was done was done, let me submit. I came back, had some water, and out of nowhere someone is telling me, please stand up and show me the room. I was okay, but again I put the be calm, don't stress out, you have nothing to hide, nothing to be worried about. So I showed the room. It was so unexpected, and I don't know even why, because as I said, was so quiet in the house. And I knew you are not allowed to put your hand over your mouth, you are not allowed to read with loud voice and all that, you know. So I said, okay. And I will tell you how I succeeded this time. And it might sound funny, but this is how it went down.

Yeah.

So I took your test and I didn't rely too much on the final score because I wanted to be actually Convinced that I know the process. So every question that I did it right, it meant to me I understood the process. So I printed the test, Helena, and I said, okay, let me review what's wrong and why did I do it wrong. And my son, who is a sophomore in college, he said, Okay, so let me quiz you. So someone reading and keep the track of the all 4 possible answers, you know?

Yeah.

But the way he read it made perfect sense to me. So what I tried to do was in my mind to reproduce his tone.

Ah.

And it made a difference. It made a difference at that one point because we will do like 10 questions per night and he will be like, okay, you're not focusing, put yourself together. I can tell you're not here, so focus on what I'm reading. And that was what helped me You know, when at the school they are— that was— I, I am not from here originally, I'm from Romania.

Yeah.

And whenever my kids will have in written the reading test, I was like, come on, the reading is with a loud voice so I can hear how you read, right? But it was the other way. What's your perception of what you're reading, right? This is how I remember. And now it made sense to me because the way you are reading, the way you have the perception of what is in that question, it's in relation with what you will answer.

Hmm.

So if I was not sure about the answer, I will tell my son, can you read it again? But just the question, and he will read it so articulated that made me do the same during the exam. It was the first time when I did it, and you know how you read, ah, okay, let's do it. But now it was like, okay, focus, because you know it. And once, as I said, during your tests, I was more concentrated on getting the idea. If I didn't answer right, I didn't get the process.

Mm-hmm.

So sometimes it will be, okay, go ahead and implement the change, or a little bit longer, like implement the change and communicate. It was simple. Just do the change. Implement the change. Don't You know, it was— and I said, it's very simple. If it was approved, what else is to do? Implement the change. So yeah. Just don't give up, right? Yes, and discipline. I will tell you, Helena, I would scroll the Facebook page, maybe only looking at your page with exams PM students only, Yeah. Listening to all the recommendations, all the— and that was it. The TV was not on for 1 month. I was having only, I would say, essential phone conversation with, you know, family. Or I was very determined. I said, I have this time and let Use it, you know, let me use it. That was all my take, you know, like be consistent, be serious, which I was not previously, obviously.

Mm-hmm.

And I will tell you, whenever I saw— so I did submit, I didn't review. I had a lot of change control, a lot. And stakeholders. And then I didn't use the whiteboard. I said, if I know now, I will know later too, because this is how it's supposed to be. Sure. And the calculator, I think I used it only one time because I had to add all, um, like 4 calculations in one result. I didn't, so again, managing the time was very important, so I made the math. I said, okay, I have 1 minute 20 seconds for each question, so everything that I gained, while I knew it was a little bit more for the one that I had a little bit of difficulty, But whenever it came with scheduling, like diagram or critical path, or as long as I could imagine, I didn't use anything, no whiteboard, nothing. I could imagine how it goes, what's on the critical path. There is no free float, you know, because it's on the critical path, all that. I didn't waste the time actually drawing that out.

Okay.

No. So I said, you know what, let's suppose I'm not answering one question right, and I will spend 20 minutes trying to figure out. I will just have it incorrectly. But I can gain another 4 or 5 in the meantime.

Yeah.

So I went on a very fast pace, and at one point I was like having 90 minutes left and 50 questions, and I said, whoa, that's a lot. So let's slow down and make sure those 50 questions I will get as much as I can right. So I did whatever my son did. I read it very, you know, articulated. I was very focused on what I read, and I will tell you, whenever I submit and I saw congrats, I was like, yeah, and I forgot totally that someone is watching. And the message came so dry, are you done? I said, yeah, I'm done. Yeah, it was amazing. I cannot tell you, Helena, I've been taking the boot camp, I've been trying to study by myself, but you guys are amazing and I am Not keeping as a secret, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. Thank you so much. Because you've been so consistent every time checking on us, every time telling us what's new, providing new material updates, a lot of updates, uh, like look ahead what's coming, you know. If you're ready to put on top of what's now another, you know, pretty consistent pile to study, it's on you, but this is what's coming. So that was something like, I don't want that, thank you, no. So yes.

Yeah, yeah, especially when you invested so much time on, you know, studying the current version, you don't want the exam to change and study a new version.

No, because I just, you know, I was so— but again, it was because of you, the way you had it laid out, the way you explained. I mean, every session started with, so you go from up to down, from left to right. I was like, yeah, okay, so you start with, you know, develop the charters.

Yes.

Identifying, and you would go one by one. So for me, the repetitive thing, I don't— I didn't once use the dumb no, no, because it was in my mind as you had it laid out and in my head as you were talking, uh, on your, you know, Of course. Yes.

Me talk about the process charts so many times.

Right, right. So yeah, yeah, I have nothing but gratitude, you know, and I am so happy that this is beyond right now because it was something that, okay, I have to have it. So from 7 to 11 every night, I was on and on. I hated the long tests. I didn't break them down just because I said, hey, it's not gonna say for real that this is the true test because I am not taking 100 today and 100 tomorrow. I take 200 one day. So yeah, this is all from my point. So I don't know if it's gonna be helpful. Yeah, no, it's not difficult. But this is— yeah.

And how did you find the questions itself? Was there any themes or any, like, patterns that you found? Because you took it 3 times and you passed on your last try, right?

Right.

Yeah.

So the questions, as I said, and everybody kept saying that, as long as you have the clear picture of the whole process, There is no way you need to know all the inputs, all the outputs. So, um, once I got that, the questions didn't seem so difficult. But the beginning, because I didn't take it so seriously, I was more like guessing.

Mm-hmm.

And now looking back is like I was so off. Especially in execution. Execution was the domain where I didn't do well. So, um, your tests are very, I would say maybe 80% in sync with what's in the exam.

Wow.

Yeah, it is. Because that's why whenever I hit 89, and I'm telling you, Helena, at one point, and I even said that on my post, at one point someone said, don't go on too many platforms, don't listen to too many materials, different, you know, people, because it will get confusing. And I tried. Someone posted a lot of videos, I got like not bored but anxious, you know, like, okay, I— now let's go back to Helena, you know, like, um, I didn't like it. So I focused more on your material and what you provided. And at the end I said, this is it. I am not gonna read something else. I never open— I don't even have a PMBOK. And even on the download, it was very hard for me to— because I didn't have 2 monitors— to use one for the exam. And I said, okay, I will take because you provide the explanation why, you know.

Yeah.

So I said, okay, that's the reason I don't need to go to see the PMBOK because why? So I, I, I was limiting myself to listen anything else but, uh, PMS exam, and it's a great, great tool. You have everything, and even the way you talk, Helena, it's— you are captivating, you know, like it's not— it's, it's a passion, it's The tone. It's the— it was very, very nice for me to listen to your voice.

Oh.

It was.

Thank you so much for saying that. That's, that's such a great compliment. Thank you so much.

It is, it is. And I know it's a lot of work behind the scenes, and it's not easy. And I saw even when we had the boot camp You know, it's hard to work with people, but you managed so well.

So— I do my best.

Thank you so much. You did great. And Alan, and you know, another thing is that every time I came with an issue, I was not able to access, I was not able to— the reply was within 1 day. Sometimes even 1 hour depending, you know, what time of the day would you send the email. But it was just, I would say, wonderful customer service. Wonderful.

Thank you.

Despite all this, you know, difficult time we are facing, you guys made it Look like nothing, you know, happened and you just moved on and no excuses and nothing. Every time right on spot. So that speaks loud to me how you actually value your customers, and that's amazing.

Thank you so much. We do our best. Yeah, yeah. And Alan is amazing as well.

Yes, yes, as I said, and very politely, very, you know, makes you feel good because you have this anxiety, you know, until you get to the point where you see congratulations.

Yeah.

You have the feeling, hey, it's only me, but no, Helena has a lot more, you know. But you gave me the sense that I was important, so that mattered.

Yeah, of course, of course, you, you're very important. All of our students are important to us, so I'm glad you felt that way because we do our very best to, you know, help out all of our students. So I'm really glad you had a good experience with us.

Yes.

Well, thank you so much for sharing all your experiences with I'm so happy for you that you passed your PMP. I'm so excited for you. It must be such a relief.

It is, it is. And again, I wish nothing but success because you are amazing. So thank you so much for everything and for the valuable lessons and all the materials that you provided. I mean, there is no excuse. excuse to not try at least. You know, as I said, I have a financial background. I was missing the major part of how a project should be managed, you know.

Mm-hmm.

But with all the tools you provided, I was able to finally see the picture. And that's amazing, as I said. Because for me was, you know, I know I've been more— I've been working for 12 years in program control. No, no, no, you know. So it was great, and thank you for your time. And I really wanted to thank you, you know, through, um, this meeting, uh, and to tell you that I am very— I have all my appreciation.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Oh, you've made— just made my day.

I know, I know, but it's really how I feel, and that's why I wanted to have this meeting, you know, because it meant a lot for me. A lot.

Yeah, I'm so happy we were able to, yeah, help you. And I think you just made my day. You say so many nice things about me.

Yeah, but this is the truth. Yeah. So Helena, all the best, and I will still be on your page if you don't mind. Oh, of course. And I'm not sure if the access will be still valid for me, just to see what's—

Yeah, you can, your access will, you know, I think, I believe you have lifetime access, so.

Yeah, this is amazing again, and I will let you go, but this is amazing because All the packages available on the market are putting a restriction. Yeah, like one year or you know six months or okay, I need more time maybe you know. But for you, and as I said, I didn't see your last videos. I didn't know that you are actually. adding as needed. And I said, wow, I wish I would have known. But what a great opportunity to listen again to a boot camp provided by Helena that I didn't know it was there, but helped me so much right before the exam. It was just amazing. As I said, you, you guys are wonderful. So the lifetime is something that for this price, it's way much than worth it, you know, because it's— yeah. So I'm glad I joined your page and I got a chance to talk to you.

Me too.

And wish you all the best.

Thank you so much. Thank you so, so much for your time. I'm feeling like, yeah, you really just made my day. I'm so glad that we were able to help you. And yeah, I wish you all the success in your career as well. And I hope that with the PMP now you can like just get to the next level in what you want in terms of your career. You worked really hard, so I'm really happy that you— yeah, that you got this.

Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Helena, and have a great evening. I hope you stay safe. I don't know how it is because you're from Canada, right?

Yes.

Yes, we are. I am living in the United States, so I know Canada was quite low on the new cases and everything was, you know, working smoothly. A lot of restrictions, but it's paying off. You don't have too many cases, so stay safe and happy and healthy New Year for you and everyone around you that you love and appreciate. Keep in touch.

Always reach us on, you know, in the Facebook group. And yeah, definitely stay in touch, and I wish you all the best in the new year as well with your career. Thank you so much for jumping on this call with me. You really made my day.

I'm glad. I'm glad. At least that I can do, but I really mean it from the bottom of my heart, so you take care and be safe. Bye.

Bye.

Bye.