Management Tip of the Day: Write Your First Draft Fast

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile FEBRUARY 25, 2013 Write Your First Draft Fast Sometimes the hardest part about writing a memo, report, or proposal is getting the words on paper. The key is to write all of your thoughts down before you can overthink them. Then decide how to best structure them. Once you've done that, rapidly write your first draft. Don't wait for inspiration. Write against the clock, giving yourself 5-10 minutes for each section. Resist the urge to perfect as you write. Save the editing until the draft is finished. If you find yourself stumped, move on to a section you're more comfortable with and come back to the problem area once you've found your flow. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Better Business Writing. Buy the book to develop critical skills for writing clearly and persuasively » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Better Business Writing Ebook Now Available Is your writing holding you back? When you're fumbling for words and pressed for time, you might be tempted to dismiss good business writing as a nicety. But it's a skill you must cultivate to succeed: You'll lose time, money, and influence if your e-mails, proposals, and other important documents fail to win people over. Writing expert Bryan A. Garner gives you the tools you need to express your ideas clearly and persuasively so clients, colleagues, stakeholders, and partners will get behind them. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Balance Creative Free Time with Structure Managers: It's OK to Keep Your Door Closed When Delegating, Let Go of the How Persuasion Doesn't Require Manipulation Give Your Slides Some White Space Learn From Your Rivals Defuse Difficult People Revise and Edit Your Writing Project Always Say Yes to Networking How to Handle Your Conflict-Averse Boss All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)