Let’s admit it: while coding is usually entertaining, it can also be tedious at times. Sometimes you might hit a wall, lose sight of the bigger picture, and burn out.
You may find yourself not programming for days or weeks, doing anything but sitting in front of the computer. If programming is your primary source of income, these downtimes can quickly become onerous, leading to a decision to stop programming altogether.
So here’s the question: how do you stay productive and engaged as a programmer? How do you make travel more enjoyable when you’re having a rough time?
We’ve all had times when we wanted to quit, questioned if we were on the right track, considered other career options, and so on. Some of us find it difficult to sit in front of the laptop for long periods.
If you ever get bored with programming, here are a few secret elements to make it enjoyable again. This isn’t a universal rule; it’s just what has worked for me in the past. There are, however, a few things you can take away from this article.
These are the Tips We Will Be Talking About
- Music is undervalued
- There are too many things to accomplish
- The “I can do this” approach
- Learning is an art
- Take regular breaks
Music is undervalued
Programming is a mind-body sport. Even if you don’t run or lift heavy weights, the process of problem-solving depletes your energy.
Furthermore, you experience a wide range of emotions, including positive emotions such as when you solve a problem and negative emotions such as worry and rage when you can’t find a solution. All of this is something that the majority of developers have to deal with.
Listening to good music — not just any kind, but the kind that gets you enthusiastic and helps you think clearly — is a terrific approach to dealing with these feelings. Music is among the few things on the planet that can instantly affect a person’s mood. Listen to music that brings you joy and reminds you of wonderful times.
To help you concentrate for longer periods, listen to music that helps you think, with few beats and vocals. You will become weary faster if there is too much noise. “Lofi” music is a great example!
Too Many Things to Do
You begin to feel anxious as you consider all of the things you need to do. And before you know it, you’ve spent all of your time overthinking.
Let’s start by saying that this is completely natural. Construction workers, like most other jobs, face the same issue.
Don’t let your emotions lead you astray when these thoughts enter your mind. Use a simple trick instead: Concentrate on what you’re working on right now (if it gets complicated, make some drawings). Sometimes the problem is that we have a lot of thoughts running through our heads. When this happens, it’s a good idea to jot down notes, either in the form of a bullet list or some drawings. This will assist you in putting things into perspective and clearing your mind. If that doesn’t work, take a 15-minute rest or nap. Sleeping has been demonstrated to be an excellent stress reliever.
If you have a lot on your plate, start prioritizing what’s important and what’s not. Consider the following question: Do I need to know this? If so, what benefit does it provide?
“I Can Do This” Mindset
This approach is beneficial when it comes to taking responsibility for fixing problems.
However, you must keep in mind that you can never totally master a skill; there is always the potential for development. Especially if you are in an organization, asking questions (that are well-formulated) is a terrific method to gain insight and ideas.
What you acquire from reading articles or watching youtube videos is fantastic, but what you gain from asking questions is unique experience-based knowledge. Programming is a profession, and it’s all about teamwork and sharing. We achieve our objectives much more quickly when we work together.
Make sure you grasp the problem before you ask a question. It’s simpler to learn new things if you build information on top of previous knowledge. But don’t let that stop you from asking – we don’t always know what we don’t know, and that’s okay.
The Art of Learning
There’s a proverb that goes: When you truly learn something, you realize how much you don’t know.
Learning is a time-consuming process that requires continual discipline. We live in a time where we believe that merely by watching online videos, reading articles, or listening to presentations, we will become smarter.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Putting what you’ve learned into practice is how you gain knowledge. Do you want to learn React, Angular, or another framework? Make a simple structure.
Read some books on how to master learning as a skill, so that you can tackle coding more effectively. Work smarter, not harder!
Before you can learn to code, you must learn to learn!
Take Breaks Regularly
In my early programming days, I had the impression that programming meant isolating yourself in a dark room all day and coding. Similar to what we see in today’s movies. However, I gradually discovered that programming necessitates breaks, much like athletes do in most sports such as boxing, soccer, and basketball.
Consider the brain to be a car engine. What does an engine require? Isn’t it true that it runs on oil and gasoline? To do a successful job, you must consume healthy foods, drink plenty of water, and take frequent rest. Resting the mind promotes creative thinking, which in turn promotes improved problem-solving.
Make sure you get adequate sleep. Most programmers neglect this crucial aspect.
Summary
Programming is, in general, a job or a pastime that can be tedious at times. I’m not going to lie and say everything is enjoyable. It can sap your energy and motivation in a variety of ways.
This, however, does not have to be the case. It’s usually not about the code or the difficult challenges, but rather the attitude toward them.
So pay attention to what you want – sometimes all we need is a brief break, and other times we just need someone to help us. Don’t be afraid to seek assistance!
And one last thing. Self-learning is great and all, but sometimes you need a real professional to help you sharpen your skills. So take a course with a tutor. if you’re thinking of which one to choose we have some great ones on our website here!
