First drafts and last goodbyes

On dogs, deadlines, and doing what you said you’d do

It’s been a challenging two days.

(If you’d prefer to skip the personal stuff, jump down to 1: The first draft is the hardest).

Yesterday, my best friend, Milo, my fearless four-legged buddy crossed the rainbow bridge.

With his ongoing kidney and hip issues, we ultimately had to make the toughest decision ever (for us), but the best decision, for him.

Gosh, Milo and I were inseparable. Imagine the goss he could dish on what I’m REALLY like! He was the best observer, sitting next to me in the office as I typed these weekly articles, went about my work on podcasts + virtual calls with clients, pestering me to get out of bed when I was doom-scrolling…

We decided to foster him for 2 weeks. That was 13 years ago.

Hilltop Hoods sang it best in their song, I’m Good? “I applied for a rescue dog
But if I get you, dog, you’re rescuin’ me.”

He stole our hearts with his wild enthusiasm, bright smile, and he became my running buddy for about a decade. He was a calming, loyal presence. A little neurotic sometimes. LOVED his daily routine and coffee runs, just like his mum.

Image: My bestie Milo

I’m finding solace in knowing that we gave him the best life: 2-3 walks a day, doggy networking at the park, beach times, home-cooked meals, ad-free YouTube Dog TV.

I remember reading this utterly brilliant + emotional article in 2023 and I’m returning to it today: What is a dog, then? On the unbearable death of my dog, Poll by Robert Dessaix.

Robert writes

Dogs are not people. A dog may be playful and dependent, not understanding simple things, just like a child, but a dog is not a child; a dog may always be beside you or in the backyard, with nothing to say but with a ready pleasure at seeing you come in the door, at being close, yet is not just a companion; a dog is not one of your friends, you can’t chat – although you can joke with her sometimes – nor share anything beyond the moment.

What is a dog, then? What is this being that is not really a child, companion or friend but … WHAT? Something I now see there is no word for because a dog is a different order of being – not better than a cat or parrot, but different. A soulmate, I suppose. Is that enough? A heart to give your heart to.

While I’m heartbroken, I’m so happy we gave Milo a second run at life.

We all deserve a second chance.

Anyway, that’s top of my mind right now…

But I had also started some early drafts of these two ideas earlier in the week, so thought I’d share them with you…

1. The first draft is the hardest (and why you’re thinking about it wrong)

2. ‘Boringly Reliable’ is the new black

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1. The first draft is the hardest (and why you’re thinking about it wrong)

I caught up with a client earlier this week, and she shared a brilliant quote that her manager said daily:

“The first draft is the hardest.”

Oof. Accurate.

In my experience, the first draft is so tough that it likes to just hang out in your head.

Whyyyyyy….?

I don’t think it’s writer’s block or a lack of time. It’s that you’re trying to create the final version in your head before you write a single word.

You’re attempting to skip the hardest part by making it not hard.

Doesn’t work.

The first draft is hard because it’s supposed to be hard.

The root word of draft means to draw out. It’s where all the thinking happens.

Here’s a few tactics I deploy when I’m stuck:

1. Set a deadline that terrifies you: Pick a date that makes you slightly sick. When I wrote my book, I gave myself 52 days to get Version 1 done, printed and in early readers hands.

2. Work in public: I told my email list and socials of this wild goal. I find it easy to disappoint myself but I hate letting other peopel down. That can be a weakness but I use that to mobilise myself into action (you might operate differently!)

3. Accept that volume beats quality (at first): I scheduled 45 mins in the calendar daily just to open the document (I use Scrivener when I write) The goal wasn’t to write for word count, it was just to write for time. The first 10mins are the worst but after that, it’s amazing how your mind opens up when your goal is fluency.

4. Separate creation from criticism: This is common writing advice. Don’t attempt to write (create) and edit at the same time. Your job in the first draft is to get ideas out of your head and onto the page. Once you have volume, go back and edit.

Question for you: What idea have you been carrying around for months (or years) that you could ship in the next 52 days if you just committed to a terrible first draft?

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2. ‘Boringly Reliable’ is the new black

Ten years ago, I was living in a remote town in northern WA (where we adopted Milo).

After a big night out, I woke up in that half-dead state where your body wants to stay horizontal but your stomach is begging for grease. I know, don’t judge me.

By mid-morning, hunger won. I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled across to the town’s finest option that was open: Super Chicken.

The smell of fryer oil hung in the air. Perfect.

I fronted up to the counter, squinting at the menu board, and ordered the only thing that made sense:

“Five pieces of chicken, please.”

The girl behind the counter didn’t even blink. “Sorry, we’re out of chicken.”

I stared at her.

Surely I’d misheard.

“You’re telling me… that Super Chicken is out of chicken?”

She nodded.

And I just stood there, greasy dreams collapsing.

They had one job.

Fast-forward to today.

I’m seeing that “one job” problem everywhere:

• Sunscreen manufacturers promising 50+ protection when in an independent review, 16 products did not meet the SPF, or skin protection factor rating listed on the packet.

• Telecommunication companies that can’t keep their phone lines running to handle emergency calls.

• Nearly half of Australians report that a tradie (tradesperson) has failed to show up for a booking or quote.

On a positive note though, I booked a carpet cleaner recently.

Here’s what happened:

• They responded to my quote request in 4 hours

• They messaged the day before to confirm

• They arrived on time

• They cleaned the carpets

• They processed payment on the spot and left

That’s it. And you know what?

That simple, boring, reliable experience FELT AMAZING.

And I think it also provides an opportunity.

In a world obsessed with big ideas, simply doing what you said you’d do suddenly appears to be a competitive advantage.

Question for you: What would change if, for the next 90 days, you made “boringly reliable” your superpower?

Thanks for sticking around.

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🌴

Leanne “Missing my best mate” Hughes