Learning how to code is a challenging journey that requires time, effort, and dedication. It’s easy to get demotivated along the way. Trust me, I experienced it first-hand, especially when you hit a roadblock or struggle to understand a concept. However, staying motivated is key to achieving your coding goals. In this article, I’ll share ten ways to stay motivated when learning how to code.
- Set clear and achievable goals. One of the best ways to stay motivated when learning how to code is to set clear and achievable goals. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will give you something to work towards and help you track your progress.
- Take breaks. It’s easy to get burnt out when learning how to code. Make sure you take regular breaks to avoid getting overwhelmed. Step away from your computer, go for a walk, or do something else to clear your mind. I generally go for a walk and get some fresh air when I feel like I’m getting a bit of cabin fever.
- Join a community. Joining a community of like-minded individuals who are also learning how to code can be a great source of motivation. You can ask for help, share your progress, and connect with others who are going through the same challenges. Everyone goes through the same ups and downs.
- Celebrate small wins. Celebrate small wins along the way, such as completing a tutorial or solving a coding challenge. This will help you stay motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment. That Yes! moment.
- Find a coding buddy. Finding a coding buddy can be a great way to stay motivated. You can hold each other accountable, work on projects together, and provide each other with feedback and support. Knowing that someone else is holding you accountable makes it a lot less easy to postpone work.
- Practice regularly. Consistency is key when learning how to code. Make sure you practice regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. This will help you build momentum and stay motivated. When you miss a day, its easy to start missing a whole lot more days after that.
- Embrace failure. Failure is an inevitable part of the learning process when it comes to coding. Embrace it and use it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and take risks. I know I am hard on myself and must constantly reevaluate how I look at failure.
- Learn by doing. The best way to learn how to code is by doing. Work on projects, experiment with different technologies and challenge yourself to build something new. Tinker with code and see what happens.
- Get inspired. Find inspiration from other coders, industry experts, and thought leaders. Attend conferences, read blogs, and watch tutorials to stay up-to-date and motivated.
- Remember your why. Finally, remember why you started learning how to code in the first place. Whether it’s to pursue a new career, build a new app, or solve a problem, keeping your why in mind will help you stay motivated when the going gets tough.
Learning how to code can be challenging, but staying motivated is so important in achieving your goals. By setting clear goals, taking breaks, joining a community, celebrating small wins, finding a coding buddy, practising regularly, embracing failure, learning by doing, getting inspired, and remembering your why, you can stay motivated and succeed in your coding journey.