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🚧 Work in Progress / Draft

Motivation and Mindset

Introduction​

Learning to code can be very rewarding but at the same time it can be very daunting and difficult proccess. Like any skill that's worth aquiring, it takes time and effort and cannot be learned in a weekend, a month, or even a year. Its not hard to grasp at basic concepts but it is hard to actually design and develop a fully working project.

Before stepping into the course we want to share some good habits as well as the bad ones so you can be aware of them up front.

Lesson Overview​

Along this lesson, we will learn some

  • Helpful ways and good habits to help you learn
  • Things you shold avoid along your journey

Motivation to Learn​

Take a few moments to think about why did you choose to learn programming?

  • Do you want to build some of your ideas and bring them into life?
  • Do you want to have a successfull and high paying job?
  • Are you automating your life?

Whatever your goals are, stick to them, as these will be the ones that push you forward and wishing to learn more.

How to Learn Programming​

Programing is incredibly vast topic and covers a multitude of programming languages, topics, and purposes. Learning new concepts and then practicing them is the best way to learn as you can understand how things fit together. Projects are ultimate test of your knowlege and skills and the perfect example of how much you understand the lessons that you learned so far.

While reading, learning, working on projects, your brain is in a state called focus mode. The other state, called diffuse mode happens while you are washing dishes, your teeth or going to sleep - a state where your brain starts connecting the dots.

When you are feeling stuck, take a break. Drink tea, talk with other people or take a walk. Distance yourself from the topic you are stuck at. Allow your brain to go into diffuse mode to process the information.

The biggest trick here is putting the effort to solve a problem first, then taking a break.

Teaching what you know to other can also be a great way to solidify your knowlege and maybe expose some gaps you did not know you had.

Getting Unstuck​

You will definetly get stuck during our course and later in your programming journey and this is something to be expected. It may be due to concept you do not yet fully understand or there is simply a typo somewhere. Whatever it is:

  • Paste your error into Google or type it in - there has always been someone before you falling into the same problem
  • Take a break - as we discussed earlier, taking breaks is almost as important as actual learning. Our brain needs time to process all the information.
  • Ask for help in our Discord Community - but do come prepared. People are more likely to help out when you present the problem in sesible way and have done your reserch

Note About AI generated code​

(Work in progress)

Managing Your Time​

Being consistent pays of. Building a habit and sticking to it will ensure you are making constant progress. No one learns at the same pace, maybe it will take you longer to complete a project or grasp a concept. Maybe you will understand it fast. This does not mean you are smarter or dumber then the rest, it only means that each brain works diffrently and we all come from diffrent backgrounds.

This project is not like a school or college. The Python Ledger is self-paced and allows you to grasp the concepts firmly and on your own time and pace.

Things to Avoid​

Here are some things you should try to avoid while learning and later in your life.

Procrastination​

Procrastination will be your biggest battle with.

Solution: Pomodoro Technique is a time managing technique to keep you focused. The idea is to set a timer for about 25 minutes, and work on the task untill the timer goes off. If you get distracted or interrupted during your focus session, start another 25 minute timer. If you have managed to focus on the task for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break. Once you have completed 4 sessions of 25 minute focus, take a longer 15-30 minute break.

If you want to give it a try, you can use this free browser based Pomofocus application.

Focusing on End Result​

How long will this course take me? All the things you will do after you finish the course?

Wrong thinking and another form of procrastination.

What's Next​

Now that you are motivated and ready to learn, lets see how you can ask for help.