Don’t Quit Before the Clock Strikes 12: The Road to Project Management Success

Lately, I’ve been seeing more people share real experiences of what the project management journey actually looks like. There's one, in particular that stood out to me- the writer was celebrating the fact that she didn’t pass the PMP exam on her first try.

Quite a different take, don’t you think?
I mean, who celebrates failure?

Yet the outpouring of support and the number of people who related to her story was truly heartwarming. The writer didn’t take on the PMP exam expecting to fail—but like any project we take on, the outcome doesn’t always go exactly as planned. Even so, rather than focusing on the result, she chose to honor the effort it took. The PMP was a project she initiated for herself, and while it didn’t yield the result she hoped for, she took pride in the journey that brought her to that moment.

She had managed shifting priorities, unexpected life events, and the emotional weight of it all—yet she showed up, fully committed. She also made it clear—this wasn’t the end of that chapter in her journey. That kind of honesty was powerful and reminded me of something I heard years ago in a speech that’s stayed with me:

“Giving up is the birth of regret.”

That quote hits differently when you’re on your third attempt at something, wondering if you should keep going. In project management, we often celebrate the final result—the certification, the job title, the successful launch. But we rarely celebrate the efforts that didn’t lead to the outcome we planned. In fact, they’re often seen as a waste:

• The late nights and months of prep before a failed exam

• The countless hours spent tailoring applications only to be ghosted

• The energy it takes to show up fully in an interview, make it to the final round, and still be told someone else was chosen because they were a better fit.

And then comes that quiet internal voice:

“Maybe this just isn’t for me.”

This post is for anyone who’s heard that voice lately—or has been feeling weighed down by the process.

The Journey Isn’t Always Straightforward

It's easy to assume that project managers follow one specific path—but the reality is, there’s no one-size-fits-all journey. The road is often winding, full of shifts, resets, and growth moments that don’t always show up on a resume.

Project managers come from all kinds of professional backgrounds—finance, engineering, education, administration, law, healthcare, customer service, and beyond. Some start with formal training. Others gain experience by leading teams, improving processes, or solving problems within their departments. The leap into project management isn’t always easy. For some, it means starting over. For others, it’s about proving that your past experience does translate to leading cross-functional teams and managing high-stakes projects.

No matter where you begin, the journey is rarely linear. It often involves learning new tools, earning certifications, building confidence, and constantly having to prove your value. That path can be challenging—and it deserves to be acknowledged.

The Setbacks No One Talks About

Of course, the path isn’t just about learning and growth—it’s also about setbacks. The ones that often go unspoken.

• There’s the “Thank you for applying, but…” emails.

• The projects that didn’t land the results you hoped for.

• The second, third, or even fourth time sitting for an exam—and still not passing.

It’s frustrating and discouraging—especially when you’re putting in the work and still not seeing the outcome you hoped for. But those moments, however tough, don't define your capability. They are part of the process. In many ways, they’re where the real learning happens.

And yet—when things don’t go the way we planned—it’s tempting to give up altogether. But what if you stopped just before it all came together?

• Maybe the next certification attempt would’ve been the one.

• Maybe the next interview was the job.

• Maybe one more outreach, one more bold idea, one more week of studying could have opened the door.

• Or maybe it’s time to step back, reevaluate your strategy, and pivot—not quit.

We may not always know when success is just around the corner. But one thing is certain: giving up guarantees we’ll never find out.

How to Keep Going When You Want to Quit

So how do you stay in the game when the setbacks start to wear on you?

• Start by redefining failure—not as a stop sign, but as a signpost. Every setback is information. Every rejection is redirection. You’re gathering the data to do better next time.

• Then find someone who believes in you—a mentor, a friend, a community. We all need someone who can remind us of our strength when we’ve forgotten it ourselves.

• Acknowledge your progress along the way. Big or small—every win counts. Don’t overlook the things you once dreamed of doing.

• Revisit your “why.” Why did you choose this path in the first place? What makes you passionate about it? That reason may shift and evolve—but returning to it grounds your motivation.

• And most importantly—take one more step.

  • Open the book.

  • Submit the application.

  • Ask the question.

  • Say yes to the opportunity that scares you a little.

Progress is built in the moments you almost gave up—but didn’t.

If Not You, Then Who?

Before You Go, Ask Yourself This: If not you, then who? This isn’t just a motivational line—it’s a reminder that you’re needed.

• Your leadership style.

• Your perspective.

• Your way of solving problems.

There’s space for it in this field. You belong here—even if it takes a few more steps to fully arrive. So, if you’re on the edge of walking away from your project management goals, hear me when I say:

Don’t quit before the clock strikes 12.

Keep going.

Because if not you… then who?