This is for all my perfectionist friends… we know who we are. It’s good to have goals, but if you can’t seem to get to the finish line on any of those goals because finishing seems impossible and starting seems even harder, let me give you one little word: DRAFT.
DRAFT is not a Four-Letter Word
Draft, as in first draft. Second draft. The umpteenth version.
Final Versions Don’t Happen First
In this age of social media and highly-produced everything, we’re used to seeing polished videos, choreographed dances, and perfect product packaging.
Everybody else’s home seems more organized (it’s not), newer (it might be, but who cares?), or more trendy (it’s not).
Even if you aren’t a writer, you know that your favorite author, whether that’s James Patterson or Dr. Seuss, never published a book that wasn’t drafted, re-written, honed, tweaked, edited, and polished.
Experts work on their projects again and again and again.
Big projects don’t come together all at once. (<<Oops! Leaving the extra space from an earlier draft!)
It takes time to produce a finished work.
If you love music, you probably have heard how your favorite song was a collaboration or took a turn or was re-recorded by other artists. Even Taylor Swift very publicly turned her finished songs back into drafts, re-recording them years later.
Drafts are for Editing
If you find yourself taking forever to start a project, like an organizing project, think of it as a first draft.
Drafts are imperfect by definition.
Drafts can be messy, too long, too short, and just plain bad, but they are a starting point.
We writers have a saying: You can edit crap. You can’t edit nothing.
There’s our four letter word! Crap!
In other words, start with something, and then edit it tomorrow.
Drafts aren’t Just for Essays
Drafts can be any project, not just a writing project.
If you are stuck on starting an organizing project, think of it as just a draft. Do your best for 15 minutes or so (using SORT and Succeed, of course), and then revise your draft tomorrow.
If you want to change your home’s decor, think of today’s look as the first draft. Add layers and color with each “draft.”
Organize information on a spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation, starting as soon as you can with a draft. It can be hard starting with a blank sheet, but once you’ve put your first few thoughts on the screen, a better format will become apparent, or you can ask a colleague for help with improving the next draft.
What Can You Draft?
What have you been putting off?
Filing taxes. Sending a friend a greeting card. Organizing your closets. Sorting photos. Getting ready to sell your home. Applying for Medicare. Changing insurance companies. Clearing out your email inbox. Planning a vacation.
Even laundry! Dinner! Today’s chores don’t have to be done perfectly. Think of them as a draft!
Whether due to perfectionism, fear, lack of motivation, or confusion, a draft can help you break through your barriers.
Give yourself permission to create a bad draft.
Your draft will likely be the very first step to a great project.
