Being a PM is like slaving for weeks on a group term paper, and then accidentally deleting the entire thing.

You get to see a project through from start to finish, influencing nearly every part of it. You get to watch proudly as a mere idea transforms into a great portfolio piece. You put your blood, sweat and tears into content creation and development. You get to work with great people to reach the end product. You get to use your skill of turning studio language into something your clients can wrap their brains around. Sometimes you even get to hand deliver the finished product with a big pretty bow on it.

But when something goes wrong, you’re the person it always makes sense to blame.

(Sigh.)

Regardless of who actually made the mistake, if you’re the last one to touch it before it goes to a client, you have to take partial responsibility. Sometimes this can make your hard work seem all for naught. After all, your goal was a perfect project, right?

Adjust your expectations. Take the error in stride, assume the responsibility, and own it. The key to dealing with mistakes as a PM is to grow from and build on them. When you turn ugly red check marks into pretty green plus signs, see it as an opportunity to make your team stronger, and improve your relationship with the client.

So, being a project manager is really like accidentally deleting that term paper only to find it backed up on your key-ring zip drive. You’re learning fast…