What if I told you there's a way to make your brain crave coding just as much as it loves games or social media?
Here’s some context: I’ve learned 9 programming languages, built over 40 coding projects, solved more than 1,500 LeetCode problems, and cracked interviews at multiple big tech companies.
But I wasn’t always this way.
I started out as the complete opposite—a video game addict, spending hours on FIFA and Need for Speed, and a chronic social media scroller.
So, how did I transform from gaming to becoming obsessed with coding?
In this article, I’ll share 5 psychological hacks that helped me fall in love with coding. These strategies can help you rewire your brain to enjoy coding too.
What Makes Something Addictive?
Before diving into the "how," let’s explore the "why"—why are activities like video games so addictive, while coding can feel like a chore?
It all comes down to a single molecule in your brain: dopamine.
Dopamine is your brain's "wanting" chemical. It drives you to seek rewards and keeps you coming back for more.
When you win a video game or get a like on social media, your brain releases a burst of dopamine, making those activities instantly satisfying.
But coding doesn’t always provide that quick dopamine hit, especially when you’re just starting out.
The rewards in coding are often delayed, like learning a new language or finishing a project.
What if we could hack our brains to release dopamine while coding, making it feel as rewarding as gaming?
1. Streaks: The Power of Showing Up
Ever noticed how games and apps reward you for showing up every day? This is called a streak, and it’s incredibly motivating.
On LeetCode, solving a problem daily contributes to your streak. For me, this became a fun challenge during coding interview prep.
Similarly, GitHub tracks your contributions with a streak of green dots. Those dots create a visual reminder of your progress and motivate you to keep going.
Streaks don’t require hours of coding each day. Even 10–15 minutes is enough to keep the momentum alive. Over time, these small efforts add up and turn coding into a daily habit.
2.Start Small: Make It Easy
Video games often start with simple challenges to hook you. Coding can work the same way.
When starting out, avoid jumping into complex algorithms or big projects. Instead, tackle small, achievable tasks like building a calculator app or solving easy LeetCode problems.
These small wins release dopamine, giving you a sense of accomplishment and encouraging you to keep going.
As you gain confidence, gradually increase the difficulty, just like leveling up in a game. Moving from level 1 to level 2 (not 10!) keeps things challenging without being overwhelming.
3.Make It Fun
Most of us learn coding to land a job or pass an interview, but what if you coded just for fun?
When I first started coding, I found C language dull and unmotivating. That changed when I learned Python over a summer break.
I started creating simple apps, games like Pong and Tetris, and even full-stack projects—just for the joy of building something.
To make coding fun for yourself, pick projects that genuinely excite you. Forget about impressing others and focus on what you enjoy.
When coding becomes enjoyable, it transitions from something you "have to do" to something you want to do.
4.Use a Checklist
Think of a checklist as your personal quest log. Each task completed gives you a mini dopamine boost.
Break your coding goals into bite-sized tasks. For example, if your goal is to become a full-stack developer, break it into smaller steps like learning HTML, building a simple website, or mastering backend basics.
Each time you check off a task, you get a sense of progress and accomplishment, keeping you motivated.
Tools like Notion or a simple to-do list can help you track your progress and gamify your learning journey.
5.Embrace Novelty
Our brains love novelty. Each new experience releases dopamine, making it exciting.
In coding, try exploring different technologies or project types. If you’ve been focused on web development, switch gears and build a game or experiment with machine learning.
Even changing your learning approach—like shifting from video tutorials to hands-on coding—can reignite your curiosity.
Bonus: Dopamine Detox
A dopamine detox can reset your brain’s reward system by reducing high-dopamine activities like social media or gaming.
Cut back on these distractions, especially early in the day, to make coding feel more appealing. Use them as rewards after completing meaningful coding tasks instead of defaulting to them during breaks.
By associating coding with rewards, you’ll train your brain to crave productive activities over instant gratification.
With these 5 hacks, you can make coding as engaging and addictive as gaming or social media. All it takes is a few small changes to rewire your brain and turn coding into a habit you genuinely love.
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