When it comes to web development, there’s something I’m incredibly passionate about. You can ask any of the people who really know me and they’ll tell you that whenever I’m asked what it takes to be a skilled and respected web developer, I say the same thing. So much so, those same people will tell you it gets a bit annoying.

But, I believe it to the depths of my soul…

And, I believe it so passionately, because it is the exact switch I had to make. Here’ s what you probably don’t know about me and my web development journey.

I Know a Phony When I See One (Because I Once WAS One)

Seven years and one month ago is when my web development journey began. I was stationed in Iraq (I’m an Army Reservist) and in my down time, I was bored out of my mind. I had a friend who ran a successful online business and I decided to jump into “Internet Marketing” to give me something to do and maybe earn a little cash.

As time passed, I realized that I really enjoyed building web sites… and, I was actually pretty good at it. So, I made the switch from building my own web sites for the half-ass products I was creating, at the time… to building web sites for other people.

Sell the shovel, right?

And, I put myself out there as a “web designer”. And, I took on clients. And, I pretended like I knew what the hell I was doing.

The reality was I relied solely on FrontPage and had never written a single line of code in my life. In fact, I was scared to death of it (like most people). And, back in those days, I could get away with it. This was back before MySpace and Facebook and the “Web 2.0″ explosion.

Frankly, if you could get text on a page with a few images here and there… you were golden.

Then, Web 2.0 happened.

Static, plain text web sites were no longer sufficient. Suddenly, clients wanted dynamic content, interactivity, and so on.

And, for that, FrontPage just won’t cut it.

I quickly began losing clients and became extremely frustrated. But, looking back, it was probably the best that could have happened to me, because it was a real wake-up call.

I suddenly realize that being “okay” and “knowing a little” just wasn’t going to cut it.

And, it was at my lowest point, that I made “the switch”…

A switch in MINDSET!

And, it’s your mindset that I believe is the most critical factor in whether you become a successful web developer or not. Now, I can hear some of you rolling your eyes before I even finish that sentence… but, bear with me. Let me explain WHY I think the proper mindset is SO important.

Why Your Mindset Is the Most Critical Factor in Becoming a Successful Web Developer

Let me put it to you this way… there’s a reason why the really good web developers are so good. Why they can code off the top of their head nearly flawlessly; why they can figure a way around any problem; why they are constantly growing, advancing, developing…

It’s because their mindset DRIVES them to.

Here’s what I mean…

I believe there are 3 critical factors in being a successful web developer:

1. Your mindset
2. Your talent
3. Your reputation

And, they feed off one another…

Your mindset drives you to be talented… and, your talent builds your reputation. And, once you’ve established a reputation, you’ll have more business than you can handle and literally write your own check.

But, your mindset is the most important of all three, because it’s the foundation.

Let me be more specific…

The mindset most people have when it comes to technology is this:

1. New technology is risky. I’ll let everyone else try it first.
2. Oh my god, what if I break it? I better be careful and not try anything too risky.
3. It’s magic voodoo, hocus-pocus that I’ll never understand.

Put simply, most people are scared to death of technology when it comes to having to learn how to use it; especially, when it involves something really important (like your business).

Most people are scared to death to learn how to code, because they’re afraid they might break something… or, because they think they’re not smart enough to figure it out, and so on.

But, as a web developer, this simply isn’t good enough.

Plainly stated…

If you’re putting yourself out there as “web developer” or “web designer”, and you’re scared of code, don’t think you’re smart enough to learn code, or have any other kind of fear associated with writing code…

You, my friend, are a PHONY!

And, it’s time to make the switch.

Stop Calling Yourself a Web Developer Until…

Being a web developer is a responsibility. When you take other people’s trust and put it in your hands (especially, if you’re receiving money in return), you had BETTER take it seriously… or, believe me, one day it’s going to catch up to you.

I believe there are three mental switches you MUST make before you can really call yourself a web developer. Once you make these “switches”, your talent will naturally increase… rapidly; people will begin to trust you… with good reason; and, you’ll literally be able to write your own check, as far as, the kind of income you make.

So, for now, stop calling yourself a web developer unless or until:

1. You are the first to try everything new.
2. You revel in breaking technology as many different ways as humanly possible.
3. You fully GET that there is NO magic.

Why do I think these mental switches are the keys to developing a successful mindset for web development?

Because there’s a reason why the best web developers are constantly ahead of everyone else when it comes to new technology and new advancements. There’s a reason why the best web developers know how to solve problems before most people even knew they existed. There’s a reason why the best web developers always know three or four different ways to solve any problem.

It’s because their mindset drives them to constantly try new things; to break those things as many different ways as possible; and to understand the solution to fixing things that aren’t broke doesn’t require a magic wand.

For me, any new script or plugin I write is wrong 1,000 times before it’s ever right. That’s the nature of the beast… and, if you want to call yourself a web developer, you must ETS (Embrace The Suck).

And, if you hope to one day be called a web development Guru, you must make this your way of life.

So, which will it be for you? Let me know in the comments.

(This post inspired by Ed Dale’s post Content is Scary Like Circus Clown Dolls.)