I've been coding for 60 days straight now. I hit a bump about 40 days in when I struggled really hard to continue, Mainly it was due to not knowing how to practice, but switching courses really helped. Hitting that bump helped me learn how to practice, even if no exercises are provided.
During this time coding I've also hit a point where I don't spend my spare time doing anything else but trying to learn. Granted, it's not always a lot of time, but there are definitely days where I will spend 4 -5 hours coding, when I have that much time available.
Coding has definitely become a habit. It's one of those things now where I dont feel right if I miss a day. I find myself thinking about programming even when I'm not, or looking at tweeter and reading other people's programming - related stuff, or reading on here.
I tried to play a game today for the first time in 2 months, Black Mesa. If you like PC games, check it out on Steam. Anyway, I couldn't play for more than ten minutes before I had to stop. I have this drive to not waste time, and it feels somehow wrong to spend that precious time doing something else.
My original title asked the question: "Hyperfocus, or Obsession?", but I really don't know the answer. I've always had this ability to hyperfocus on something, to drive forward and solve a problem even if it means staying up late. I guess I don't know if it's that, or obsession. Does it matter?
I do know that learning to program has somehow taken over my waking life, and outside of breakfast is the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning.
If only code were food.
Top comments (2)
Don't forget to take breaks, do some exercise or go for a walk. At least once a day.
Mens sana in corpore sano
P.S. Here's a game you play for as long as you can and you'll never feel bad about wasting time playing. play.elevatorsaga.com/
(There's a post here, somewhere, about this. But couldn't find it right now)
Very cool, I will check that out. There's also an mmo on steam that requires you to program in javascript, I think it is. Cant remember the name off the top of my head. I definitely take breaks especially when I'm at home. I work in the oil field, when I'm gone my days are full. I work 12 hour days/7 days a week, so I usually manage to squeeze in 1 - 2 hours of programming.