When it comes to learning a new skill like coding, finding the motivation to keep going (especially when you feel stuck or frustrated) is often the biggest hurdle. Scroll through posts on our community platform, and you’ll see that motivation is a hot topic. Learners at every stage of their journey — from seasoned devs who are upskilling to absolute newbies — want to know how to find and maintain motivation.
We just launched a new skill progress feature that’s designed to help you stay motivated. Now you can earn skill XP by completing course content and use it to track progress, celebrate milestones, and reach new targets.
Learners have devised some creative ways to push themselves to set and achieve new goals. Ahead we’re sharing some of the standout advice we’ve heard from learners in our community about how to stay motivated when you’re learning to code. Be sure to read more stories about learners in our Codecademy community and get involved with the World Coding Games, kicking off today.
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7 tips for staying motivated while learning to code
Tip #1: Start small
Consider adopting a “little and often” approach, says Codecademy learner Lizzie Gardiner. Start by setting clear, achievable goals and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Create a schedule that allows you to dedicate a consistent amount of time each day to working on these tasks; even if you only have 10 minutes a day, the time can add up.
Lizzie kept a detailed record of her personal progress and learning schedule in a spreadsheet. With the new skill progress feature, we’ll automatically log your skill XP across subjects. You’ll get an organized look at how far you’ve come right on your dashboard.
Tip #2: Apply it to your daily life
Focus on choosing skills that are directly applicable to your life or job. For starters, think about areas where technical skills could enhance your performance or make your tasks more efficient. Codecademy learner Mathijs Gaastra shifted from web development to data science programming languages, which helped him land a job at a startup. Now, he’s creating a patient database for researchers and gets to learn database technology on the job. “I’m super motivated because I can apply what I learn directly to my work,” he says.
By concentrating on relevant and useful skills, you’ll see the tangible benefits of your efforts in your day-to-day activities. Another bonus? You can integrate learning seamlessly into your routine, which makes your professional life more rewarding. If you’re not sure what to learn, read this blog about how professional devs are upskilling.
Tip #3: Meet other motivated people
Having a circle of supportive friends helped Codecademy learner Jenni Park commit to learning to code. “My friends are also very driven and career-oriented, so it helps to be surrounded by that,” she says. Her friends are all in different fields, but they would get together on days off to work simultaneously on upskilling, job applications, or learning something new.
Looking for other learners to connect with? Be sure to check out our community spaces where you can meet learners around the world, get feedback on projects or coursework, attend events, and build your network. Introduce yourself and see how other learners can inspire and support your own goals.
Tip #4: Get recognized at work
As a Research Scientist, Joshua Lange needed a way to quickly and efficiently complete computations. So, he learned Python for data science with Codecademy. “What used to take me an hour or two on a Friday now takes 15 seconds and is fully automated,” he says. “I love it, and my boss is really happy.”
Whether you want to be promoted or take on more responsibility, talk to your team leader about your individual goals and discuss how learning technical skills can help. Your company might pay for your Codecademy membership and allow you to dedicate work time to learning. “Even if you’re not seeking a career change, skilling up within your current job is such an asset,” Joshua says.
Tip #5: Set weekly milestones
Establishing weekly goals is a simple way to keep yourself on track, says Codecademy learner Franklin Méndez. For example, try to complete a particular lesson or chapter by the end of the week. Aim for comprehension, not just completion: “It wasn’t enough to only finish it, but I had to understand it,” he says. “Sometimes the milestones got pushed a week.” With our self-paced courses and paths, you’re totally in charge of your learning schedule, so be flexible. (Remember you can always adjust your Codecademy weekly learning target in the settings section.)
Tip #6: Don’t compare and despair
While it’s natural to look up to skilled individuals (like iconic programmers or Codecademy learners with uplifting stories) it’s important to remember that everyone progresses at their own pace. Focus on your own journey and set personal goals that are meaningful to you, rather than using others’ achievements as a benchmark for your own progress, says Abigail Matibag, a Codecademy learner and Administrative Assistant.
Our new skill progress feature is a great way for you to concentrate on your personal growth and celebrate your own milestones. Your skill XP are private, so only you can see your skill progress — even if you’re competing in the World Coding Games. Remind yourself that learning is a unique experience for everyone, and your biggest competition is you!
Have fun (seriously!)
We often hear from learners who start coding out of curiosity and then stick at it because they love the mental challenge — like completing a crossword puzzle or playing a game. That’s what happened for Stina Niemann, a Software Business Analyst who loves puzzles. “I really enjoyed the goofy and playful approach to learning,” she says. “I developed a habit of dedicating 30 minutes to an hour every morning before work to learning.”
Set aside specific times to focus on coding, perhaps after completing your daily tasks or in the evenings when you have some down time. When you treat coding like fun, you can transform it from a daunting task into an enjoyable activity that you look forward to.
Whether you’re looking to break into a new career, build your technical skills, or just code for fun, we’re here to help every step of the way. Check out our blog post about how to choose the best Codecademy plan for you to learn about our structured courses, professional certifications, interview prep resources, career services, and more.