July 24 2025 at 08:44AM
The power of showing up - PMI NL Afterwork Networking Session
On the 2nd of July, PMI Netherlands Chapter hosted a networking event just 30 minutes from where I live. Without traffic, that is. That day, it turned into nearly 1.5 hours: thunderstorm overhead, one of the worst traffic jams in weeks, and I was running low on energy after a heatwave and several sleepless nights.
As the clock ticked closer, the thought of cancelling crept in. I told myself, “Just show up for 45 minutes. Network a bit, then head home.”
And I did.
What happened next reminded me of something simple yet powerful: momentum begins the moment you walk in. The people I met, the unexpected conversations, the shared laughs and professional insights; none of that would’ve happened if I had stayed in the comfort of almost.
In project management, we talk about action, initiative, and accountability. But sometimes, the bravest move is simply showing up when every excuse tells you not to.
It’s not about staying for hours. It’s about being present, even briefly, and letting that presence carry more weight than perfection.
Because just showing up can open the door to everything else.
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Wafa Atoini is a Project Manager with over a decade of experience leading cross-functional teams in the pharmaceutical industry. She holds a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy and is a board member of the ISPE Project Management COP and Women in Pharma. If you're interested in high-impact collaboration, performance under pressure, or simply making room for clarity in complex systems, contact Wafa on LinkedIn.
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