Will Getting in Over Your Head Make You Better at What You Do?
Every evening on my way home from my day job, I enjoy listening to the Covino and Rich show on Sirius Satellite Radio. A couple of weeks ago, one of the topics on the show: “will getting in over your head, make you better?”
I think too many times, people simply continue to do what they’re used to and never push their self to do better. A lot of people may not agree with me, but I believe you never know what you’re capable of unless you push yourself outside your comfort zone. I only wish it were that easy to push yourself outside that zone.
I’m Guilty, Are You?
I am guilty of doing this all the time when developing a website. The last few sites I’ve developed, I find myself reusing some of the same HTML and CSS techniques and even certain aspects of the designs themselves look similar. I’m not trying new things. I’m staying within my comfort zone because it’s what I know.
Same thing goes for some of the logos I’ve developed recently. I find myself using the same colors, same fonts, and same gradients. I really hate it, but I’ve gotten so used to doing the same thing over and over again that I don’t even think about it, it’s just a habit.
I May be in Over My Head Now
I’m currently developing a new site (and have been for a while). It’s a niche site where I will have very little competition. There are quite a few sections of the site that I have to develop myself and once the site is complete, I will have to continue to update these sections myself to keep the site alive. So, I would say I’m definitely in over my head on this, but I’m loving it. It’s a site that I’ve wanted to get online for a while now and it’s finally close to coming to fruition.
So, How do You Get Outside of Your Comfort Zone?
I think the obvious answer is to take some chances and try new things that you’re not used too. If you’re a web designer or developer, check out some of the design galleries around the web and see what the other designers are doing different than you. Gather some ideas and try some new things and just see if you’re capable of duplicating the technique. If you’re not, no problem, ask for help from someone that knows and figure it out. Once you figure it out you’ll have added a new skill and moved outside of your comfort zone. Now, the only trick is to continue to do that going forward.
Do You Stay Within Your Comfort Zone?
How about you? Do you stay within your comfort zone? If so, do you plan on trying some new things to break the monotony? What new things are you planning?
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Comments
Off-topic, when one comment is left on your blog articles, the tag at the top says ‘1 comments’. You might want to change that to singular.
Posted on Wed Feb 13, 2008
David: Well, I think you could look at your situation a couple ways. I think the best way to look at it is that you’re indirectly getting better at what you do because you did get a little over your head and are outside of your normal comfort zone. Not necessarily making you a better graphic designer in this case, but outsourcing is a big part of business and sometimes it’s necessary. I imagine it could be a daunting task if you’re not experienced. Like you said, you don’t want to provide the client with a bad deliverable, so finding someone that can live up to your high standards and actually managing the project so that it turns out to your liking could make or break you. I think after it’s all over, the experience will definitely make you better at what you do though. You’ll have experience in other aspects of the business. That is my thoughts anyway.
As for the comments, thanks for pointing that out. I meant to change that when I first started this blog but forgot all about it. I’ll have to get on that.
Posted on Wed Feb 13, 2008
Great point, Deron. Outsourcing is an important part of business, and a new skill to learn.
Posted on Thu Feb 14, 2008
I hear you my friend. Although it may not seem like it to others, I’m constantly trying to push myself outside my comfort zone (when it comes to design). I’m always learning something new, or doing something new with my next project, and my most recent one (which has yet to be revealed) is completely different than anything I’ve ever created before. The consequence of that, is that it’s taken me longer than usual, and there have been more frustrating issues. I’ve been editing and reediting over and over again…
Posted on Sat Feb 16, 2008
Armen: Yep, taking long to accomplish the task is one big downfall of moving away from your comfort zone. If you’re not comfortable, chances are it will take you longer. I hate the whole editing and then reediting process. I like to do it and do it once and usually that involves me implementing things I’m already comfortable with.
I’ve got a couple new sites that I want to develop so hopefully I can start to think way outside my box with those and do something I’m not comfortable doing.
Posted on Sat Feb 16, 2008
@David Airey
I agree David…
And thanks to the informations…
Posted on Tue Feb 19, 2008
I think it will make you better at what you do. Most people can’t do things because they think they can’t. Once they get started things look a lot easier.
Posted on Mon Mar 17, 2008
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My name is Deron Sizemore and I am a web designer, web publisher, blogger and serial internet entrepreneur living in Lexington, Kentucky.
It’s an interesting question, Deron, and one I’ve just recently come up against.
With a web project currently on the go, I’ve had to sub-contract, because it’s not my strong point, and I don’t want to disappoint. I focus on brand identity, and print work, although have created a few websites in the past.
When a large project comes along, I’d much rather hire a professional than take longer than necessary with a client job.
Posted on Wed Feb 13, 2008