I was ready to punch a hole right through my computer.
It had been thirty minutes and I still wasn’t able to adjust the background color of the website I’m working on for the launch of my new book.
I’ve created a few websites, but I’m no web designer.
The problem was getting started.
I had a nice idea of what I wanted to create, but I was starting from scratch. It was basically a blank slate.
The default background color is an off-white for the theme package I was using for the website. I wanted just plain white and I couldn’t find the right place to change it.
I searched online.
I read message boards.
I almost emailed the creator of the theme.
I changed every line of code that didn’t say “background-color: #ffffff” (white), but still nothing.
Then I remembered a critical step I took last time I used this theme: import the dummy data!
Start with the demo.
Work off of a template.
Don’t start from scratch.
I could have saved myself a morning full of anxiety if I had just swallowed my pride, admitted that I’m no expert, and adapted a design that was already there.
Lesson learned.
Try this:
If you are struggling to get started on a project. Start with a demo.
Think about it:
- Building a new house? Start with the demo, the model house, the show house.
- Starting a new job? First, learn how the guy before you did it.
- Becoming a parent for the first time? Start by copying what your parents did for you.
- Want to redesign your living room? Search for a room you like on Pinterest and copy what they did.
It doesn’t have to end up anything like the original, but starting with the demo will help you get started.
. . . and getting started is half the battle.
It may seem like stealing. It might make you think you are unoriginal, but all great artist steal.
Are you struggling to create something new without a lot of experience?
Are there any projects around the house or at work that you just can’t get off the ground?
Maybe its time to find a demo and work from there.
Save yourself the time and energy. Start with the demo.
