Project managers focus on three variables – scope, resources and deadline. To complete the project successfully, you must always control at least one of the variables.
* If scope and resources are fixed, you must be able to move the deadline.
* If the scope and deadline are fixed, you must be able to add resources.
* If the resources and deadline are fixed, you must be able to reduce the scope.

What if we use this project management approach to make changes in our lives? Let’s take an example of a goal many people have – slim down by losing some body fat.

If losing 10% body fat (scope) as fast as possible is your highest priority and you could do it sustainably in 12 weeks (deadline), you must use the remaining variable (resources) to make it happen. This might mean going to sleep a bit earlier, switching from processed food to whole food, walking every day, etc. If you fall behind schedule add resources (make more changes).

If instead your deadline is 6 weeks and you are willing to make whatever changes are needed (resources), you will likely need to revise your goal to be a more modest loss of 5% (scope). Trying to do more than that in 6 weeks is probably not sustainable and you might even be worse off afterwards when your body fights to return to your set point.

If your heart is set on losing 10%, but you want to make slow, steady changes, you must be willing to move the deadline. As slow as your progress might feel, the upside is that slow, steady changes are usually more sustainable.

Can you improve your life one project at a time?