Approaching Life as a Discovery Draft
Recently, I experienced something unexpected. I was listening to a podcast as I did some work around the house and it hit me – it was time to think about writing my next book.
I grabbed my notebook and jotted down a few notes on the premise. It was very different than my previous book, which intrigued me. Equally compelling was how this idea was making me feel – so curious, excited and captivated.
I started doing some research on writing this type of book and within minutes, I found someone who might be able to support me during this project. Serendipitously, she was offering an introductory workshop. I worked with her for three months to create a book outline and project plan.
I learned two concepts during that experience that relate to why writers don’t finish their projects. But as I reflected, these ideas can be applied to wellness and navigating life transitions as well.
The first lesson is about comparison. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of icebergs, huge chunks of ice that have broken off a glacier and float in open water. As majestic as those images are, it’s estimated that approximately 80-90% of an iceberg is submerged underwater – making it impossible to get a sense of its vastness. Because most of it is unseen, it’s easy to underestimate its power.
So what does that have to do with writers who are trying to finish a book draft or someone who is trying to increase their level of wellness or experiencing a life transition?
Writers who are beginning their projects often look to their favorite books and authors for inspiration. Among the things they see are published books, beautiful prose, reader reviews, bestseller lists, and prestigious awards.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – the 10% you can see.
What’s included in the 90% that’s hidden from view? Things like years of building their craft, hours of writing alone in a room, multiple rounds of editing, feedback, working with agents, editors and publishers, building a writer’s platform, and engaging with readers.
The instructor’s point was if you compare yourself to the visible part of someone else’s iceberg, you’ll get discouraged before you even begin writing your book.
We do this in other areas of our life as well. It’s natural to see people who are the top in their game and want to emulate them. That’s a great source of inspiration. But we can’t expect to operate at their level, especially if we’re just starting.
The second lesson has to do with a mindset shift. Any guesses on the percentage of people who want to write a book yet never finish their draft? Ninety-seven percent. Ninety-seven out of 100 people never finish their draft! Isn’t that incredible?
And the reason why so many books remain unfinished is that the writer expects their first draft to be excellent. And speaking from experience – that is just not feasible.
Why is this? Because both the story and the writer are growing, changing and evolving as the story unfolds. And there is no way to know where the story is leading. To set expectations based on limited knowledge at the beginning of a writing project is to set yourself up for discouragement and failure.
A way to think about this type of first draft mindset is to refer to it as a discovery draft. I can’t tell you how much I love that term because that’s what I’ll be doing when begin to turn my outline into prose – I’ll be uncovering what the story is actually about, including how character arcs evolve and plots unfold. My job is to show up to allow that to happen.
With that as a backdrop, here’s how you can apply both the iceberg and the discovery draft approaches to a new wellness intention or a life transition:
Approach any new endeavor with curiosity. Set an expectation upfront that this new process will be messy and uncomfortable. Allow the feelings of discomfort and shift your focus to the next step. Repeat and make adjustments as your journey unfolds. The way to set yourself up for success is to commit to a beginner’s mind and move forward knowing that it’s not going to be perfect.
Value the invisible work. There’s two parts to this. The first is to enjoy the woodshedding part of the process, meaning the investment you’re making in learning and practicing something new. It’s about the effort, not the outcome, especially in the beginning. Which brings me to the second part. Be mindful as you’re observing others. Do so with the understanding that you’re only seeing their outcome and not their effort – the visible 10% of their iceberg.
Seek inspiration. Be on the lookout for others who inspire you and learn all you can, whether in person or through their work or writings. Learn all you can about the seeds that were planted early on, who inspired them, and what fueled them to keep going, especially when they felt discouraged.
I encourage you to think of approaching your life, next challenge, or turning point as a discovery draft. Embrace the messiness, the unexpected twists, and the joy of uncovering something new. Focus on the journey, celebrate the invisible work, and look to those who have gone before for inspiration. By adopting this mindset, you can transform any venture into an exciting adventure of exploration and growth.
Journal Reflections: How might you utilize the concept of a discovery draft for a wellness goal or life transition? What invisible work can you honor? How can you invite more curiosity and inspiration into the process?