Outline it all; it saves you time.
When I:
- Sit down to write: I want to write it all out at once.
- Start a business: I want to put together quickly the partnerships.
- Start building an infrastructure: I want to get the systems in place immediately.
My first instinct is to follow the genius myth. Except, after I think about it, I remember –
When I:
- Write all at once: it discourages me because I don’t know where the story goes.
- Go for Partnerships early: I don’t know what I truly offer or better yet – even need).
- Build out all the systems: most systems go unused, and I have to replace them.
The first thing I do as soon as I remember those memories is starting an outline.
An outline is a forcing function that makes me start to consider what I need. It deals with those problems I listed above.
When I outline:
- I know where the writing is going, so I save time.
- I see what I need from each partner, and if it is worth talking to that person.
- See the systems and how they play with each other.
Even if you are in a situation that leaves you with little time, outline. It helps you manage that time more efficiently, no matter the situation.
From the desk of Adam Thomas 