One sure way to be a success as an independent project manager is to promise to finish the project. Then look for opportunities to deliver more than what was promised. Always give more than what is expected of you and do it happily.

This doesn’t mean you have to reinvent the project, add a few more layers to an application, or create routing tables from scratch. It means you should look for opportunities to make the project process better, such as the following:

• Help a team member with a tough assignment.

• Complete a weekly project update e-mail.

• Guard the management reserve and the budget.

• Motivate and reward team members early and often.

• Write thank-you cards.

• Develop a care and concern for the people you are working with.

As you progress through the project, remind yourself that you are only as good as your last project. When this stint is completed (and that is your job, to get the project to completion), how will you look back on your work and on the project deliverables? Will you be pleased with your work? Will you wish you could change some elements? Answer those questions as you move through the project, and you’ll be satisfied with the work you produce.

More important, the organization that hired you will be pleased with the work you completed, and, hopefully, ask you back for more.