There is no underestimating how difficult it can be, especially for new self-taught programmers. Most of the information out there can be really overwhelming at times. You may not know where to get started or have been at it for a while, and you are getting overwhelmed. Or you simply got yourself into this because some youtube self-proclaimed programming guru promised you that you would be making bank in a few months, but you are yet to see even a dime from your hard work.
Things can get lonely and arduous, but this article is here to remind you to keep at it. I will list a roadmap of how I managed to do it myself and how you can make your journey easier by following the five-point plan listed below. They include:
- Structure
- Patience
- Consistency
- Community
- Don't be a perfectionist
STRUCTURE
This goes to the top of my list. I consider it to be most critical. There's a lot of buzz out there about how the internet has made things readily available and cheap. It has never been easier to be self-educated. With the click of a button, you get access to a library of information. It has also been made cool and trendy to be self-taught. The problem is most of this info has no clear guidelines. Say you want to become a frontend developer, so you spend most of your time learning CSS, HTML, and JavaScript from random sites and youtube channels, with no particular end goal in mind. You will go round in circles without really achieving anything.
A quick fix for this is to stick to one program at a time. If you choose one site to guide you through your journey, resist the urge to hop onto another. Identical to the channels. Keep yourself on one. This way, you can have a structured method to track your progress over time. It also helps create a school-like environment that keeps you on your toes and makes sure you are answerable somewhere.
PATIENCE
It is critical. A patient programmer is a good programmer. Starting out, it's gonna be hard. Most of the coding principles being new to you will seem like quite a lot but do not give up. Hold on and hang in there. The victory will be sweet. Those of you who came into this field because of the promise of good money might have a hard time being patient, but you've got to chill out, bro. The money will come to those who wait.
CONSISTENCY
Consistency is what sets you apart from the competition. It is how you will be able to crack the code(no pun intended). It is what separates winners from losers. Are you willing to show up every day and code the same thing no matter how challenging and boring it can get? Consistency will also ensure you get the much-needed practice you need. Some tips to make sure you stay consistent include:
Have a timetable
Have a to-do list
Plan out your day before
Stay disciplined at all times
Minimize distractions
COMMUNITY
It can get really lonely for a self-taught developer. More so when the coding challenges get even trickier, and you have no one to turn your head to. That is why it is essential to surround yourself with people who are doing the same thing that you are doing. You can find yourself a community online or a physical group near where you reside. Thankfully through social media, it has become more accessible. Meeting up with fellow coders in events seminars and sharing ideas. Read each other's code and encourage each other.
It certainly makes the journey a lot more easier for everyone. Through community, it is also easier to get a job through referrals. The advantages of joining a community are endless. Iron sharpens iron, so interacting with them will also make you a good programmer.
DO NOT BE A PERFECTIONIST
Do not get hung up with finishing everything up to 100%. As long as the code works, get on to the next thing. Chasing perfection will have you stuck in the same spot for an unnecessarily long amount of time. Keep in mind that in an ever-changing environment like ours, most of the stuff that is stressing you out might be obsolete in 2-3 years.
Even the google algorithm is not perfect, it still does its job pretty well. Make sure to make functional code. Not idealizing something that might never be in your head.
CONCLUSION
Much more can be added to this list. But I chose my top five, the ones that helped get me to where I am today. Feel free to add more in the comment section below.
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