Three years ago, I had no idea how to build a website.
It was intimidating starting from zero. But, I wanted to build something new. And a proper website was a nonnegotiable.
So, I started to practice. Practice building websites.
I decided I would go with WordPress, because that's what the cool kids were doing. But, I had no idea how WordPress worked. When it was installed, I was looking at a set of menus known as the "back end." I felt like a blind man tightrope walking that day.
So, I watched a tutorial on how WordPress websites work.
When I selected a theme and started building the website out, I just couldn't seem to make things show up where I wanted.
I was getting frustrated.
That was how I discovered that paid themes are usually more flexible than the free ones. I also discovered what WordPress plugins were, and the magic they can perform. Best of all, I discovered webpage builder plugins.
As I was practicing building our website and acquiring knowledge, I discovered more role models in website building and entrepreneurship who continue to impact my work on- and off-website every day.
Three years later, I don't consider myself a web designer, but I no longer feel like a lost puppy in the woods when it comes to building out a website.
However...
None of this would have happened had I not just started practicing.
We so often become overwhelmed with the details of creating something new. The "how."
But, it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Just...do it. (The Nike people were indeed on to something...)
Be messy. Break a few things. And look for the answers to the questions as you go.
You will find that, over time, the answers reveal themselves. Either through your own quest for knowledge, or experimenting.
Tweaking and tampering are so underrated.
But, don't read the manuals first. Don't make too detailed of a plan first. Planning for eternity is an easy way to procrastinate.
Just do the thing, and figure out the answers along the way.
This is where the real learning happens.