Don't believe the hype

We all have hype in our lives. And if it doesn't occur sponteously, we tend to develop it. Oh sure, we may pretend that we don't want it there, but in reality - it's an essential part of getting us through the day.

I mean, without hype - there would be no letdown. Without letdown, well for one, there would be nothing to gripe about and for two, there would be no reason to try again. Right?

So what the hell do I mean about hype. I'm referring to the actual build up that we create for events in our lives of both the ordinary and extraordinary variety.

Example - that movie you have been dying to see is coming out soon. You read everything you can about it, without going so far as to know exactly what is going to happen. You get excited about it, you make plans to go see it with your friends, you may even arrange some cheesy movie-themed dinner before going to see it, and god forbid, you dress up like a character from the movie (unless it's a Harry Potter movie, in which case...I understand. I wouldn't do it, but I understand).

And then the day arrives. You go to the movie and.....nyah. It's okay. You know what, it's probably more than okay, but honestly, nothing will live up to the expectation that you've been driving for the last few weeks. That's the hype I'm talking about.

Example of the ordinary variety - you are running late for work and don't get a chance to make coffee before you leave. You decide to treat yourself to one at the café. It's going to be so good. It will be so worth the wait of the very long drive you have ahead. The cup will be steaming - the aroma fantastic. You won't likely spill this coffee down the front of your coat when you hit a pothole and change gears at the same time (damn the city, damn standard autobiles). It will be worth the $1.50 you pilphered from your kids change jar. And you know what...You probably won't even remember drinking it while you read your emails, answers questions, and sort your files. You may not even finish it before it gets cold (which of course you realize when you take that large mouthful in and then spit it back into the cup). Nothing short of being transported to a street-side café in France is going to live up to the expectations you've placed on this cup of coffee. (And I'm not even going to tackle the level of hype reserved for Starbucks coffee drinkers..can you say C-U-L-T)

Hype exists in all shapes and sizes, particularly in the workplace. Sitting from my side of the desk, I see it often.

There is the hype placed on the potential candidate based on a piece of paper. I've had managers start taking development and career planning and I haven't even pre-screened the candidate. They pull out org charts and start discussing how they are going to move this person here, and re-distribute case loads here, and take the opportunity to get that cross-training program started. No joke - 9 times out of 10 we never even interview the candidate because when we jokingly said, they looked too good to be true...it wasn't a joke. Enter crash.

There is the hype of the reduced hours workweek, which for some strange reason people forget means a reduced pay workweek. And doing five days work in four. And the fact that life goes on without them in the office every Friday and in fact, Friday is generally the best day to be at work since that's when all the good shit happens (gossip, treats, and bosses are away). So the plan of having that extra day off to get all your housework and laundry done before the weekend means that you are spending an entire day (generally a Friday) staying indoors and doing something that you have been avoiding all week for a reason. Cue crash.

There is the hype of moving up the ladder, becoming a supervisor for the first time, starting in a new direction...all scenarios begin with the rush of someone wanting to make a difference only to have that ultimate crash of reality when the person realizes that the expression "same pile, different day" does apply to them. Not so different anymore.

I am not a fatalist, pessimist, or even an evangelist. I am a realist and as a realist, I believe that at some point everyone needs to fall on their face or hit a wall. Aside from being into violence, it's the low points that make you realize just how tentative the high points are. They don't last forever and they certainly don't last if you don't work at them.

The hype is what gets you going, gets you motivated, creative, and pumped - and that's a good thing. But if you don't have substance to fall back onto - then you are in for a nasty thump. If you don't truly believe in what you are pushing (hyping) for, then you will get the hype-blues.

My suggestions:

Work hard.
Get excited about what you do and your ideas.
Keep working hard.
Expect obstacles, set backs, and back-stabbing co-workers (I am in HR remember).
Keep working hard.
Do a gut check - and make sure you believe in what you are working hard for.
If you don't - re-evaluate why you are doing this? Is it because you feel it's expected of you or because you expect if of yourself?
If you do - keep at it.
And most of all - don't believe the hype, use it and keep going.