Shitty First Drafts: Anne Lamott's Antidote to Creative Procrastination
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In the world of creativity, the pursuit of perfection can be paralyzing. The fear of imperfection can prevents many from ever even starting a project.
The wonderful author Anne Lamott has a refreshing perspective on it: The concept of starting with a "Shitty First Draft". She says
“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts”
So, what exactly is a "Shitty First Draft"? The imperfect first attempt at your idea. It's the crucial step where you dive headfirst into the work without concern of the end-result. The Shitty First Draft is not a failure; it's a stepping stone that paves the way to success.
The Hidden Magic of the Shitty First Draft
The magic of the Shitty First Draft lies in the permission it grants us to simply get started. We free ourselves of paralyzing perfectionism. Once you have your Shitty First Draft, you've accomplished something significant: you've started.
You now have a tangible starting point to refine and iterate your work. This draft is not a dead-end; it's a living, breathing project that holds a lot of potential for something awesome to grow.
Perfection Is the Enemy of Starting
The pursuit of perfection is a trap that prevents us from ever becoming the creators we hope to be. You can plan forever, and before you know it… nothing has gotten done. The perfect is the enemy of the good.
Instead of seeking perfection, embrace the process. Start imperfectly, knowing that this is the only way to get to where you want to go. So get started with your shitty first draft.