Becoming a WordPress Developer

You, like me, may not consider yourself a “developer” because you didn’t get a degree in Computer Science, or you aren’t fluent in any programming languages. I’m trying to change my perspective on that topic, though. I’m setting out to become a WordPress developer. When I get there, I want to be able to tell others what I did to get there in hopes that it helps them get there as well.

I’ll experiment with plenty of WordPress-y things on this site, and I will let you know how it goes. I’ll also let you in on what I know, how I learned it, and what I’m looking for next.

I don’t have all the answers yet (and never will), but here’s what I have learned so far…

Figure Out Where You Are Now

You have to start out being honest with yourself. Do you know anything about coding yet? Do you know WHY you want to become a WordPress developer? You have to answer some fundamental questions to make sure you’re being honest with yourself before starting down this path. If you’re going to do something, then you should do it right — and most of the time that’s not easy.

What’s Your Goal?

Set your sights on some end result, that way you’re not changing course based on every new shiny object you see — because there are a LOT of shiny objects these days with how fast the web and WordPress are growing.

Here are some of my WordPress developer-related goals as an example:

• Make a contribution to WordPress core.
• Create a plugin for the WordPress plugin repository.
• Speak at a WordCamp.

What’s Your Next Step?

Take each of your goals, evaluate where you are with each one, and then think of the next little thing you can do to get you closer to reaching that goal.

For example, my goal above of speaking at a WordCamp. Right now, I don’t have any personal connections with people in the WordPress/WordCamp space, so I might look for ways to connect with people. I also might try to speak at a local WordPress meetup if there is one — or start a meetup if there’s not one.

Repeat

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Constantly evaluate where you are, where you want to end up, and what your next step is. That’s a repeatable pattern, and it works every time. The independent variable there is you (me included). You have to do the things. You have to decide to take action and move forward.

Accountability

One final word on this is that you should install accountability into your journey. It’s easy not to go to the gym in the morning if you’re the only one who knows you’re planning on going. But when you have an appointment with a trainer or you’re meeting a friend, you’re way more likely to get up and go.

This blog and social media are going to be forms of my own accountability.

Reach out (Contact form) or follow me here if you’re making the same journey.