it’s easy to get stuck in the planning phase. there is a hesitation that happens. anxiety that you’re not ready for execution. that you left something out. that there is still some unchecked prep list item that will come back to bite you later.
sure, it is important to measure twice before you cut loose, but sometimes you just gotta fucking cut something. sure you will fuck some stuff up by just pushing out content now, but you’ll learn more from the mistakes that are made as you execute than you ever will from trying to get it perfect before you ship.
once you ship a few imperfect products out the door, you can then take a moment to review what you’ve learned and then step up your game for the next shipment, but you’ve got to get there first.
i come upon this rant because i’ve been at a standstill on the distant future first draft, and for the last week i have been trying to formulate a plan, any plan to shake myself loose. finally, i made a commitment to just open the documents for the first three chapters and spend some time with them. i didn’t commit to do any work, just to open the docs. and lo and behold, the next thing i knew, i was writing the next scene.
i spent a whole week coming up with a new plan, certain that by trying a new process i would find new inspiration. but it’s too early for that. i just need to write. and write. and write. until the first draft is done. stop thinking about it. just do it.