So you just got a huge project assignment that’s going to showcase your skills to the world! Or at least to your department.
MENTORS.
You should have a Gandalf to your Frodo, and Dumbledore to your Harry, a Mr. Shu to your show choir of one, a Harry to your Dexter. Somebody needs to guide you on your journey to greatness, and ideally you'll form a life-long coffee-date companion who really understands you.
Expectation:
Reality:
PREPARATION.
You want to warm up and get some background research out of the way so you can be as much of an expert on your area as possible. Then you can throw obscure details relating to your work around in random conversation, then nobody will doubt you know what you're doing.
Expectation:
Reality:
MOTIVATION.
You want to start this thing off with a bang, and really learn to love what you do. That starts with your dedication to getting things done.
Expectation:
Reality:
PROGRESS REPORTS.
You have to talk. To other people. About how things are shaping up.
Expectation:
Reality:
So you just feel like:
SUPPORT.
Now that you've had you mini-crisis, it would be really great if SOMEBODY would acknowledge that you're working hard and you're on to something. It's the push you need to be sure you're not drowning your career.
Expectation:
Reality:
SOCIAL LIFE.
You may be a hard-working professional, but a balanced life and schedule is important. Plus you want to still have friends when you're done with this, right?
Expectation:
Reality:
THE BREAKTHROUGH.
You've worked through your abandonment issues and you've got the hardworking hermit thing down pat. It's time for the ideas to start flowing.
Expectation:
Reality:
CLEARING YOUR HEAD.
The tension is killing you. It's time to get your mind of the work, and the unsettling lack of finished product, just for a couple of minutes to recharge your batteries.
Expectation:
Reality:
CRUNCH TIME.
The duedate is approaching. Swiftly. You're praying for the armageddon halfway through next week.
Expectation:
Reality:
SUBMISSION.
Somehow. Remarkably. You've finished It. Or at least finished enough of SOMETHING on time. It's time to get that sucker off your plate.
Expectation:
Reality:
AFTERMATH.
It's DONE! YOU'RE FREE!
Expectation:
Reality:
WAITING FOR FEEDBACK.
You've returned to the world of the living, and now you just have to wait patiently, or anxiously, to hear back about how things are looking.
Expectation:
Plus:
Reality:
RESULTS.
They're in. It's time to face the music. Pay the piper. What have you. You head to work and wait for the emails and comments to come flooding in.
Expectation:
Or,
Reality:
AND THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT.
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