If the project is allowed to be itself, rather than it being an extension of myself, what is the project, actually?

If the project is allowed to be itself, rather than it being an extension of myself, what is the project, actually?

If the project that I am working on is in fact unconsciously designed to be a compensation for the failure that I consider myself to be (not that I really am that, but lets not get in to that), what is the project actually (when it is distinguished from this)?

I mean, if the project is allowed to be itself, rather than having anything to do with me, or being a compensation for any considered inadequacy (real or otherwise), what is the project actually?