Reluctant WordPress developer

light bulb momentWhen it comes to my personal or volunteer life, one of my favorite things to do is learn something new. I love to dive into a project with no clue how to do it because I love the process of figuring it out. It is definitely a significant source of joy for me.

However, when it comes to seeking work and getting paid, I operate out of the belief that I should already be an expert. Yesterday, the title of an article caught my eye – “Take A Job You Aren’t Qualified For.” Not only did the author describe her successful experience working in a job she wasn’t “qualified for” but she went on to say:

…I left this great gig because, for the first time in 17 years, I finally felt qualified for my job.

Blink. Blink.

Not only did she not need to be an expert at her job to be successful, but reaching the point of being an expert was her reason to leave! It wasn’t until a quiet moment today that I realized my beliefs about the value of my work exist in stark contrast to that which brings me the most joy – learning something new!

So now I feel as if I should offer an apology to anyone who approached me about creating a website for them – especially my friends – because I didn’t think I knew enough yet to accept payment for it or didn’t think I could charge enough to be able to devote my time.

And if you are tackling a new web adventure, I may be exactly the right person to head down the path with you.

Similar Posts

4 Comments

  1. I like the fact that you tagged this with “courage.” Keep learning and stepping out!

  2. Thanks Claire! I learn every time I create a new website and especially like it when the site involves something I’ve never had to do before. I just have to get better at charging what I’m worth!

  3. Thanks Tim! I get hung up on being a perfectionist. It’s great to get a reality check from other developers.

Comments are closed.