We emphasize the significance of the first draft so much that we never even complete a first draft. Instead, we expect perfection.
But really our goal should be to get to the second draft as fast as possible, but only so that we can get to the third draft and then the fourth. Even if our first draft was the best we could do, we should still endeavor in a second and third and the fourth just to see if we can do better.
Honestly, the second draft might not be better than the first. And truthfully, the third might not either. But what if the fourth is better than the first three? If it can be, and we work as if it will be, shouldn’t we continue endeavoring towards that next draft?
With each draft, we might develop a better sense of clarity in our purpose. We might work with a more refined intent in each next draft, one where we have finally realized what it is we are trying to do and achieve simply because the preceding drafts were still just a part of the process of figuring it out.
Finish the first draft so that you can read it and move on to revision, realizing what can be removed and refined with each rereading. Move on to editing out errors, enhancing strengths, and adding a new angle (or two, or even three).
Whether it’s the first design of our curriculum, our first execution of a new process, the application of a new system, there are bound to be mishaps and bugs. In fact, let’s expect it and move quickly, but no recklessly, so we can iterate to improve and update.
Launch so that you can see how closely you hit your target. And in the reasonable likelihood that you don’t, analyze why, and then relaunch. Eventually, you will.
