4 Pieces of Advice For Those Teaching Themselves To Code
Have you been teaching yourself how to code these past few months? (Or even few weeks?)
If yes, you know how frustrating it can be.
I began teaching myself how to build websites two years ago. I guess I am technically no longer a “newbie”. Still, I am constantly learning new things and progressing every single day.
And here are 4 pieces of advice, based off my experience, for those first starting out.
1. Practice for at least 25 minutes a day, everyday
I know, sometimes things happen. We have sick pets, last-minute family dinners, and so forth.
But the point is to try to at least do a little, every day. Even when you don’t feel like it.
When I first started out, I had an ongoing calendar appointment set every single day, for just 25 minutes. I would practice whatever book/course I was going through at the time.
Even if the thought of cracking open said book seemed like climbing Mount Everest — I told myself “just 25 minutes.”
That’s it. Think about it — 25 minutes is only 5/288 of your day.
Or 1.7% of you day. 1.7% !!!
It’s like going to the gym. It’s getting there that’s the tough part. Once you’re there, it’s not so bad.
(Why 25 minutes? Because I’m a devout pomodoro gal. It works.)
2. Pay for courses, books, and other learning material
Trust me. We value things much more when we pay for them.
It’s great that there’s so much free stuff online. But the paid courses/tutorials are a lot better. Aside from being better quality, when you pay for something you have an incentive to follow-through with it.
Again, let’s turn to the gym example. Back in college I would pay to go to Boston Sports Club a few blocks from my school.
Yes, my college had a gym. Yes, Boston Sports Club was expensive as heck. (At least compared to my $25/month gym membership back at home.)
But I paid because if I didn’t pay, I wouldn’t go to the gym. I would make excuses not to.
However, since I was paying X dollars every month, I made sure I got my butt in that gym 5–7 days a week. I even took the included yoga/aerobic classes — because I wanted to get my money’s worth. Right?
The same exact principle applies to learning how to build a website or program an application.
When you pay for a course, book, tutorial, etc. — there is a much higher chance you will work on it daily. And finish it. (In fact I’d argue that the more you pay for something, the more likely you will finish it.)
Because you need to get your money’s worth, right?
Exactly.
(If you’re interested in learning more about some of the online courses/tutorials I’ve done in the past, check out my reviews here.)
3. Build something you are passionate about
This is the best way to learn. Create something you care about.
A great example for me is the entire learntocodewith.me site. I learned so much when I built that website. I was passionate about it. And time flew by. (And now, I’m rebuilding it to make it even better.)
Build what you’re passionate about.
Maybe it’s fantasy football. Maybe it’s cooking. Maybe it’s bird watching. Whatever. Build some kind of website or web app related to that passion.
Because the chance of you finishing it is probably… 20X higher. And you’ll be proud. (Just like I am with my site.)
If you care about something, you learn what it takes to get the job done.
4. Don’t let naysayers get you down
If I listened to everyone who told me I wouldn’t be good at making websites, or tried to convince me to switch directions, my life wouldn’t be as amazing as it is today.
When I first started learning I had a few family members, and close friends, advise me not to learn how to code. How I wouldn’t like it. How I wouldn’t be good at it.
Even more recently a professional “friend” told me, “being a developer is really, really hard …” (As if she was basically saying, “Just stop now. You can’t do it.”)
Listen closely: people are always going to suck.
Some will distract you and act as a roadblock to your success. Even if their intentions are in the right place, don’t let them block your path.
Keep your eyes ahead, act as though you’re wearing blinders and run your race.
Where would I be today if I listened to these people!?! Not here, that’s for sure.
Conclusion
In the end, I believe learning how to code, whether websites, mobile apps, or software, comes down to discipline and work ethic.
True, some people are naturally better programmers than others. It just makes sense to them.
But nothing can ever compare to hard-work and hours put in.
Before I head out — remember: making websites, programming software, and anything related can be really freaking hard. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
So let’s all pat ourselves on the back for even trying. Seriously!
