The Virtual PM

Is being a Project Manager worth the pivot? 💭

Hello Reader, Every week, I hear from people who say: “I want to become a project manager, but I don’t know where to start.” And I get it.The first thing you see when you search online is a bunch of articles telling you to get certified. Most of them suggest the PMP—which costs $405 to $555 just to take the exam. That doesn’t include prep courses, which can easily push your total cost to $1,000-$3000 or more. Here’s what no one tells you:You don’t need a certification to get your foot in the...

6 days ago • 1 min read

The scary truth about staying where you are 😨

Hello Reader, Here’s something I learned the hard way Leadership isn’t just about being good at your job. It’s about being seen as someone who can handle more. There was a time in my career where I was doing everything right. I was dependable. Organized. Got things done. I thought that was enough. But I stayed stuck in the same role for years. Why? Because I wasn’t showing up as a leader—I was just performing the tasks in front of me. No one was going to pull me aside and say, “You’re ready.”...

13 days ago • 1 min read

How to be a project manager without experience or certification

Six-figure salary but without experience or certification? 😦

Hello Reader, I didn’t wake up one day and decide, “I’m going to be a project manager.” It was more like: I looked around one day and realized I’d already been doing it.Checking in on people. Making the plan. Solving problems before they got out of hand. But at the time, because I didn’t have a certification… I didn’t think it “counted.” The truth? It absolutely counted.And once I learned how to position what I was already doing, everything shifted.The roles got better. The pay got higher....

13 days ago • 1 min read

How to be a project manager without certification

Is Project Management for you? Let's find out! 📝

Hello Reader, It's crazy to me how many people are already project managers without the title.... but they're doing project management work for free. I created a few questions below so we can assess whether being a project manager is in your future. 🔮 Answer them honestly in your head with a YES or NO. Do you....?1️⃣ Always end up leading the group project—even when you didn’t sign up for it?2️⃣ Organize birthday parties, weekend trips, or family schedules? 3️⃣ Get asked “Can you just follow...

20 days ago • 1 min read

how to be a project manager without experience

A job that pays around $119k a year +++? 🤔

Hello Reader, Not long ago, I was talking with a woman who was feeling stuck. She’d left her job after a toxic boss, was freelancing on the side, and scrolling job boards during naptime—hoping to find something that felt stable and fulfilling. “I think I want to try project management,” she said.“But I’m not sure I’m qualified.” So I asked her a simple question:"Are you the one people turn to when they need things organized, followed up on, or finally finished?" She laughed.“Always.” And...

27 days ago • 1 min read

Launch a Six-Figure Career as a Project Manager (No Experience Required) 👉🏽

Hey Reader, I always get asked... "How did you become a Project Manager?" Well, it wasn't by chance, but it wasn't a straight path either. Twenty years ago, I stumbled into the world of project management almost by accident. I started as many do, feeling overwhelmed by the scale and scope of what a PM was supposed to manage. But here's the thing—once I got a taste of the impact I could make, there was no turning back.You get to manage more than just schedules and budgets, but also lead teams...

3 months ago • 1 min read

The 7-step plan for crushing your goals (don't miss #2)! 🏹 {The Virtual PM Newsletter}

Connect with Donna on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Hey Reader, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”I’ve always loved that quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry because, well… it’s painfully true. A few years ago, I had this ambitious goal to grow my business. I mean, I was fired up at the start of the year, but by mid-March? My “plan” (or lack of one) had completely fallen apart. Life got busy, distractions crept in, and before I knew it, I was spinning my wheels without making...

5 months ago • 2 min read

The 5-Step Game Plan to Actually Crush Your Goals 💪🏽 {The Virtual PM Newsletter}

Connect with Donna on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Hey Reader, Can you believe it? January is already a week in! How are those 2025 goals looking? Be honest: are you still riding that New Year motivation wave, or is life already trying to derail you? I get it Reader....It’s so easy to start strong and then get distracted by life’s chaos. But over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two about making those goals actually stick. One of my favorite hacks is to break down big, scary...

5 months ago • 2 min read

Life lessons to wrap up this year with a bang! {The Virtual PM Newsletter}

Connect with Donna on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube { Hey Reader, Have you ever felt like life was quietly teaching you something, but you didn’t realize it until later? This year, as I added another candle to the cake (and yes, it’s still just one candle, thank you very much), I started reflecting on the lessons that have shaped me—not just in boardrooms or Zoom calls, but in the everyday chaos of life. They’ve made me a better leader and a better human. ✅ Growth that feels...

5 months ago • 2 min read

How to Adopt a Planning Mindset to Make Your Year Count

Should you ditch resolutions? 🗓️ {The Virtual PM Newsletter}

Connect with Donna on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Hey Reader, We officially have a few more days before this year ends... and if you're anything like me, you may already be planning your goals. And you may also fall into the trap of resolutions fizzling out by March. Who's with me? 🙋🏽♀️ Here’s what I’ve learned: It’s not about the number of goals you set. It’s about how you approach them. Instead of piling on tasks, I’ve adopted a planning mindset—a way to align my goals with my...

5 months ago • 2 min read