Struggling to stay consistent while learning DevOps: Lab discipline & topic mastery

Hi dev.to community,
I’m currently learning DevOps and trying to balance theory with practical labs. I’ve noticed a few challenges:
-Sometimes I’m unsure about the correct learning order or what to focus on next.
-I start labs and practical exercises but often leave them unfinished.
-It’s hard to determine when I’ve truly “mastered” a topic.
I’d love to hear from you about your experiences:
-Where did you get stuck the most when learning DevOps?
-How did you maintain consistency and discipline in practical labs?
-How do you decide that a topic is fully understood or completed?
Any tips, strategies, or workflows you’ve found helpful would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!