Coron Projects is making a name for itself as one of the most trusted UK project management agencies, supporting clients with better project management. With our experience in the field of project management, we also understand the challenges that freelance project managers face on a day-to-day basis and their need for a contingency plan in project management. This is why we will be launching Facebook group, ‘Freelance project management professionals’ where freelancers and independent contractors can join as members, reaping the benefits of conversation, connection and community.
When stepping into the world of freelance project management, one enters a world of many freedoms, but also stresses, strains and unknowns. It can be a lonely journey. Many others have gone down similar roads that you will travel on, so why walk it alone, repeating their mistakes?
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
With the freedom of time comes the need for discipline to manage it well. A day can start exactly as planned, and within a mere moment, be scattered all over the place. There are so many dependencies that affect the flow of events in the life of projects. It is very rewarding when things go according to plan, but equally disturbing when it doesn’t. Our coping mechanism is what matters in this process, and the ability we have to keep our cool without dropping the ball.
We need to be super-organised, keeping our eyes on our to-do lists, whilst keeping the priority, the priority. Yet, we need to be flexible to adapt those priorities when situations demand it, and courageous enough to communicate all these changes to our stakeholders. Working under pressure is our norm, and it is our shoulders that carry the responsibility to calm the storm when it hits so that the ship can reach its shore.
Yet, in the midst of these pressures and endless interruptions, there is a life to be lived. The disciplines needed for the busy freelance project professional, are many. Taking regular breaks, basking in some sunshine, going for a walk, eating a meal, enjoying a cup of coffee, and seeing people, are all part of the elements needed for a successful day ‘in the office’. Making oneself accountable to others in the industry will help you strike that balance between your personal life and your business life. It’s easy to work into the night, neglecting yourself and your family, but it’s a lot harder when you’re surrounded by others in the same industry who face the same challenges of time, and yet, choose to prioritise wisely. Starting the next day well will depend on how you finished yesterday. A day ending in rest will make way for an energised tomorrow.
Whether experienced in leadership or not, leadership becomes a skill you either naturally have or have to learn when thrust into freelance project management. You might come from a specialised background in design, development or marketing, however, this job requires multi-skills on many levels not mastered yet. To succeed, it’s not about doing everything perfectly right from the start, but rather seeing your career as a constantly growing one that will mature over time. The more growth, the more pleasant the journey and fruitful the yield. This long-term perspective, together with the realisation that you can’t do it alone, will push you in the direction where we stand, waiting for you to join our community of freelance project managers.
Modern culture isolates people as they compete to get ahead. However, learning from ancient cultures, wisdom is passed on from one generation to another. Lessons are learnt through relationships, storytelling and the passing of time. We have to create and cultivate this culture that centres around community, trust, and mutual respect, propelling our fellow man upward and forward in their designated fields. At Coron, we want to empower and support you on your journey as a freelance project management professional, through the sharing of our expertise and the grafting into the ‘freelance project management vine’, so to speak. This will become part of your much-needed contingency plan in project management.
Gerwyn Tumelty founded Coron in 2013. As a Project Professional, Chartered Mechanical Engineer and a former Royal Navy Marine Engineer Officer, he has been responsible for leading the development and delivery of diverse programmes and portfolios. Combining his technical and commercial competencies with a wide range of proven leadership and management skills, he has come to know many freelance and independent professionals plying their trade in the project management space. Through his own experience, he knows how lonely it can be and wants to help. The ‘Freelance project management professionals’ Facebook group is inspired by a range of other groups Gerwyn has come to know on his particular journey.
This exciting platform will feature freelance project management events where you can compare notes, visions and experiences. Discussions about the current market and its challenges can be shared, together with tips and solutions. It will be a safe forum for those freelance project professionals who want to reach out and have a contingency plan in project management through the help of another. A place where value is placed on maturity, camaraderie, community, shared experiences, transparency, growth and opportunity.
There’s nothing worse than doing it alone. Freelance project management professionals often work from home without someone else around. They have to juggle many balls at once, solving unexpected problems, doing balancing acts when things start to topple, updating projects constantly… and keeping it all together, at the same time!
Our Group will be here to walk your journey with you, shoulder to shoulder. We will be the voice behind you saying, ‘Keep going!’ ‘You can do it!’ ‘This is how we did it.’ ‘Don’t give up!’. Let us help you with your contingency plan in project management. Go to our website and register your interest in joining our ‘Freelance project management professionals’ Facebook group with the word ‘Freelancer’ so that you don’t need to do it alone, anymore! There’s a whole new world waiting for you to join… one that will build you up, push you forward, and make sure that you never give up! We look forward to hearing from you.
