PEACE Tips: Reflecting through the Peace of Mind Experience

Implementing the second run of the Peace of Mind project was a fulfilling experience. The team gained a lot of insights that will help us make our next run even better. As part of the first wave of the #ForMindanao projects, we are happy to share some tips and best practices that worked for us. Presenting the P.E.A.C.E. Tips:

1.    Prepare for challenges.
Running the Peace of Mind project was not a walk in the part. We had challenges both internal and external. Our team had issues regarding our personal schedules. Most of us had our own jobs and priorities. Team dynamics is also a challenge, but it was expected. Externally, there were roadblocks outside our control. Some partners might drop suddenly; target community might have major activities that would ruin your timeline. Anticipating challenges early on and coming up with possible solutions can save time, money, and effort. Looking forward to challenges and responding to them is okay but proactivity is the way to go. 



2.    Engage stakeholders.
In every community, there are stakeholders you can work with. There are potential groups that will support the success of your project. Given the short timeframe, focusing on the ally stakeholders is of primary importance. Introduce your project and discuss your bigger goals for the community. Explain how can they be of assistance and what’s in it for them. The idea is you want to understand your shared goals and how you can share your resources. Lastly, it’s okay to consult stakeholders on how you can better execute your project, TOGETHER.



3.    Allow changes.
Cliché as may it sound, but true enough: change is the only constant thing in the world—and in your project too! While it is imperative to have clear project details at the start, allow for changes along the way. Do not be afraid of changes; they are helpful. These changes could be in your module, your target community, your timeline, your budget, and many more.



4.    Connect to your project.
Where am I in this? Why am I doing this?

You might ask these questions along the way and only YOU can answer them. Go back to your intention. Find your personal connection to the community need you are addressing. For #TeamMaguindaNOW, we have our personal reasons why we stick with the project. Collectively, we are Maguindanaons and most of us had experienced being exposed to armed conflicts. This personal experience allowed for deeper understanding and connection to our community issue. So, make it personal and reflect on your purpose. This is basic but most of the time downplayed. Understanding yourself and your purpose creates a stronger foundation that no challenge can destroy.



5.    Empower the community.

In the context of project management, I always find the word “empower” vague BECAUSE IT IS. Coming from the word “power”, I believe that empowering is facilitating the expression of community strength, their potential and hidden power. Our projects will only last for some time and as a colleague mentioned “We cannot be there forever”. Hence, in every step of the way, empowering should be integrated. This also implies that we should not spoon-feed the community. They are not merely “beneficiaries” that depends on the support of other people. They have the power and they can use it, given the right environment, right opportunities, and right programs. Nevertheless, we want to terminate our projects and leave our communities feeling inspired to progress with or without the help of external groups.




At the end of the day, it is always a learning process. It’s a relentless process of letting go, and letting come. These tips worked for the #TeamMaguindaNOW but it might not work all the time to all teams. But still, we hope that the other teams can take useful insights and tips as they realize the dreams #ForMindanao. 

*This post was also posted in #ForMindanao.

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