perceived secrecy

[unpakwon]

Please help me understand the following in bold.

1. You mean the perceived secrecy, like something more is going to happen? / That's a good way to put it.

Is this something like "secret that everybody knows"?

2. Task oriented: ground my day in the assignments at hand.

Does this mean "pay close attention to the assignments at hand?"

Thank you.

[Soup]

1. perceive, To become aware of directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing.

2. noun, ground(s), The foundation or basis on which a belief or action rests; verb, ground, To instruct in elements or first principles: to ground students in science.