Can’t Manage Your Way Out of a Paper Bag?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "They couldn't manage their way out of a paper bag?" As a project management professional for over 15 years, I’ve heard it plenty. I’m pretty sure it was even directed at me in my early project management days! And if I’m being honest with you (and myself), I still have paper bag moments now and then.

The reality is managing projects isn’t easy—even for those of us trained to do it. For non-project managers? It can feel downright impossible. Sometimes, I wonder why I chose a profession with a permanent seat under the bus. (I have stories. Many stories. We’ll get to those later.)

But back to the point: managing projects is tough. After 15+ years navigating industries, sectors, big projects, small projects, and technical and non-technical work, I’ve learned a thing or two. Most of those lessons came the hard way—after the bus ran me over. But those experiences gave me scars, wisdom, and a deep love for helping others who find themselves managing projects, even if “project manager” isn’t in their job title.

The Magic of Reframing Work as a Project

One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been helping people see their work differently. I’ve watched light bulbs go off in a single two-hour training session or after just a few one-on-ones. Suddenly, someone who felt stuck now has a path forward—not because they got a certification or a fancy new title, but because they reframed their work as a project.

Once you see your work as a project, you can apply a project management framework. And that, my friend, is where the magic happens. With a framework, you’re no longer winging it—you have organizing principles, best practices, and, most importantly, structure. You start identifying gaps in your approach. You recognize stakeholders you need to engage. You realize, “Wait… I was supposed to plan things? And assess risks? And communicate... the entire time?!”

Yes. Yes, you were.

But once you get it, you become more efficient, more effective, and—best of all—people notice.

Thinking in Frameworks

Why are frameworks such a game changer? Because they turn chaos into clarity. When you apply a framework to your thinking, ideas stop slipping through your fingers like fairy dust. Suddenly, things connect. Everything has a place. It’s structured, not ambiguous.

Rignar Pitla on The Medium describes framework thinking as a way of seeing the world through patterns, connections, and underlying principles. Instead of approaching problems in isolation, framework thinkers see how things fit together. Aristotle summed it up best: "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

Why Out of the Paper Bag?

That brings me to this blog. I’m calling it Out of the Paper Bag because my goal is simple: take everything I’ve learned as a project manager and serve it up in the most accessible, practical way possible. No boring jargon (ok maybe a little jargon). No overwhelming theory. Just real, lived-out lessons that can help you manage your way out of confusion and into project success.

And because life itself is one giant project, I’ll share tips for managing that, too.

So, if you:

✅ Feel stuck in the “paper bag” of overwhelm when managing projects…

✅ Want to handle projects (and life) more easily and confidently…

✅ Are just wondering why I’m so obsessed with paper bags…

Stick around! Follow Out of the Paper Bag here on the blog and our socials for practical tips, insights, and real-world lessons you can apply immediately—helping you manage projects more effectively and see real results.

Join the email mailing list and receive the latest blog and other project management and productivity tips in your inbox!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely my own and do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of my employer, DLA Piper. The content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice.