We’ve all been there,
\nputting ourselves into something big, be it a creative endeavor or a project plan or a business pitch,
\nand we’re so proud of it, we dotted our “i”s and crossed our “t”s and our fingers and our toes.
\n“It’s our best work yet,” we tell ourselves.
\n“We are so ready.”
\n“Let’s do this.”
\nAnd it goes over like a cold, soggy pizza.
\nAll of that spit and polish
\ngone unappreciated.
\nOr worse, dragged through an upbraiding,
\nhauled over the coals,
\nread the Riot Act,
\nand it sucks.
\nWe scream into the void.
\nWe question our abilities.
\nWe just want to lean on every remaining cliche: hang it up, throw in in the towel, fold our hand.
\nAnd maybe just mail it in next time. (Ugh.)
But instead, tough as it may be to admit it,
\nwe’ve learned something.
\nMaybe they were right.
\nMaybe it wasn’t as well thought out as we thought.
\nMaybe we navel gazed a bit too much.
\nMaybe out of this we’ll make something better.
\nIn fact, we most certainly will.
\nMore considered.
\nMore researched.
\nLess pizzaz, more patience.
\nLess “look at what I made,”
\nmore “look at what we can accomplish together.”