Jordan Ogren

August 12, 2021

Overcome first draft resistance by writing a FUD

Sweat from my forehead hit the keyboard. I was terrified.

I didn't know where to start, and time was ticking.

I was writing a case study for a company in the medical space, which I know little about.

My lack of knowledge and expertise in the space was holding me back from writing.

Or at least I thought.

I realized later that the true culprit was resistance to being "wrong."

But isn't that the point of a first draft?

The purpose of the first draft is to get your initial (rough) thoughts on the page to then edit and improve them. 80% of the first draft should be wrong

That's why I have started calling my first drafts FUD's (first ugly draft). Note: this is not an original idea.

I find it easier to overcome the resistance of writing when you write a first ugly draft than a first draft that you want to be 80% correct.

Have you felt that resistance? It's paralyzing. 

But when you focus on creating a FUD or a shitty first draft, it becomes easier to overcome.

The lesson: Writing a FUD as quickly as possible is the first step in writing a kick-ass piece of content.

How do you overcome the resistance of the first draft?

🧠 // JO