The delicate art of ownership: projects are like eggs — a metaphor
The two baskets
I hadn’t thought about this before, but projects are like eggs.
And getting the job done (a.k.a. owning your project-work until the end) is akin to carrying two egg-filled baskets.
The Weight of Responsibility
You can’t drop either of them. But every day, you might receive new eggs to carry.
The Burden of Imbalance
One of your hands is stronger than the other one. You might be tempted to put most eggs in the same basket and hold it with your stronger hand.
Eventually, the basket will get too heavy to carry. You might switch hands.
Suddenly you find yourself holding a heavy basket with your weaker hand.
Drop an egg here and there; it’s okay… just don’t drop the basket!
Try to balance out your eggs and keep changing hands. Eventually, your weaker hand will get stronger!
Surprises along the way
Someone might throw a whole new basket at you.
Make friends and ask for help! Carry the burden together.
Unpredictable Outcomes
Remember: not all of your eggs will hatch!
Some eggs might get crushed by the weight of the eggs above them.
Some eggs might hatch, but the chickens might not be able to find their way out.
Some eggs will be cuckoo’s eggs and might push some of your other eggs out of the basket.
Be careful and don’t collect snake eggs — snakes will eat all your eggs… and your chickens… and bite you too!
The Flight of Independence
You’ve won when your chickens fly away and make their own eggs!
Nurture them like you would your own.
