“I’m having doubts about my web design career. There is too much competition. Will I be successful?” – This is what someone asked me recently in an email. So I responded with an explanation of “The Dip”.
The Dip is a concept I first heard from Seth Godin in his book titled “The Dip” in which he describes it as that place most people find themselves while trying to reach a goal. Its the place between the starting point and the end goal. Its that place where you have to push and work really hard to get out of it.
Every time doubt creeps into my mind about reaching a particular goal or every time I hear someone raise doubt about getting into the Web Design business (or any difficult field for that matter), I think about the Dip.
The Dip is the reason why I have recruiters calling me constantly and sending me emails with 4 to 5 job potential job offers a week. The Dip is the reason why I consider “Web UI Design” a recession proof career. Web Design and UI Design skills has value (and all thanks to the Dip).
To be successful in Web Design, you must get through the Dip. You must learn and master all the skills it takes to do good work. This requires pushing through the Dip and reaching the other side. But many people quit while in the Dip. That’s why there’s value in what I do. Not many have succeeded. Many have quit. And that’s why I am thankful there is a Dip. If the Dip didn’t exist, I would not have recruiters calling me all the time. I wouldn’t have an easy time landing a UI/UX design job. The market would be saturated with too many web designers. But because there is a Dip, you have a chance. Everyone has a chance.
The web design field is not crowded. Its a myth. It might be crowded with folks who have started the process and quit during the Dip and are now calling themselves web designers. But it’s not crowded with folks who have pushed through the Dip and have gotten to the other side. That should be your objective. That’s the end goal.
To get through the Dip, all it takes is passion, practice and patience. Anyone can do it. I dropped out of college because school was too hard. I quit while in the “Dip of School”. I was never really book smart, but when I found web design, something that I enjoyed, something that would make me happy, I went after it. I was just determined to be good at something. After hard work, long nights, hours of practice, I eventually made it through the Dip of Web Design. Seriously, If I can do it, anyone can.
Don’t think this is too hard. Push the doubt aside and go after what makes you happy. The web design field is wide open for anyone to grab. Embrace the Dip and you’ll be rewarded heavily once you make it through.
great topic! sometimes i find myself stuck in the “dip”…but it’s true, you gotta keep pushing!
Wonderful post! One of your best ones. Really the Dip is a real test to passion. I feel I was in the dip and I am recovering now. I am in that learning phase you mentioned here :) As always, you rock!
@Faith – Yes, just keep chipping through the dip. We all have to go through the dip when trying to get to achieve anything of value. If something doesn’t have a dip, then there’s probably no high value related to it.
@Vishnu – Thanks, it is a test of passion. Appreciate the feedback as always.
I sent you an email asking the same question. Great explanation Mike!
John
Thanks John.
This is a great post I find that the dips may probably be “dips” at the beginning. I found myself at allot of lows in learning, coming up with business strategies, sticking with them, finding new ideas, etc…
But with all the dips there are allot of things that bring you out of them dips as well.
Again Great Post!!!
Thanks Stan for the feedback. I agree, many dips is a nice way of putting it.
I hear someone raise doubt about getting into the Web Design business (or any difficult field for that matter), I think about the Dip.
Sorry about that pushed enter by mistake.
The above is what I hearing. And it drives me even more. I have been working hard and taking your advice.
I attended my first business class which has provided me with more direction. I now that it will not happen over night but am moving forward. At time it feels slow.
I do sometimes lose my way and i need to refocus on my end goal.
On other note. I went with Photoshop instead of fireworks however no regret that choice. Making the move to fireworks you have confidence me it would be a better workflow.
Hey Kevin, the trick is having a clear, direct, concise goal. What is your main gaol? Is it to land a job as a web designer or are you dabbling in many different areas, spreading yourself thin? First gotta have a nice clear direct goal, then you can figure out what needs to be done to get there. Nothing wrong with choosing Photoshop. I choose Fireworks because I’m just so comfortable with it. Also, in my opinion, it by far has the best workflow built for designing. I show it in my course. I’ve converted a lot of Photoshop users already. :)
Thanks Mike.
There are times I feel like I may be spreading myself to thin. My goal is to go freelance or land a job in web design. I suppose this is lose in it’s self, as one means I need to learn about managing a business.
Do you think having this goal above is clear, or i need to make up my mind for one or the other?
Also am trying to blog at the same time is this a good idea at the start or should i concentrate on landing a job.
@Kevin – I think your goals are great, just make sure to break them down into smaller quicker achievable goals that you can reach on your way to the much larger goal. For instance, your main goal is to be a solid web designer with possibly having a nice job and freelance career options. This is the end goal. But while you’re achieving this goal (while you’re in the dip) set smaller goals or task like improving your visual design skills, improving your web UI design skills, create 3 websites for my portfolio this year, etc. I think blogging is great, keep that up. Took a look and I like your blog. I think aesthetically (visually), I think you can make some improvements but I love your articles. Keep that up! ;)
Thanks Mike. I have looked at my end goal. I have now smaller quicker achievable goals. One is to improve my visual design skills. Thanks for the direction, I value your input. Well done on the training course.
Now I know where I have been stuck…didn’t embrace the dip.
Well said Mike Locke, well said.
Mike thanks for the inspiration!