Whether you're a beginner in tech or an experienced individual already in the industry, you need to create personal projects to consistently improve your technical skills.
Yet I tend to delay my side projects! 🤦🏻♂️
While I know the experience of working on a project is not comparable to following courses or tutorials, my mind still manages to find a way to trick me into procrastinating.
Here is my process for overcoming this issue. 💪
Step #1: Understand how your brain is tricking you 🧠
These mind obstacles are more prevalent in beginners who are starting out in tech.
Your mind becomes creative in coming up with compelling reasons to stop you from starting.
I can’t write high-quality code.
What if I run into issues and I can’t debug my code?
What if I get stuck and don’t make progress on the project?
When this happens, think about the worst-case scenario. Right it down. Keep it on your desk so you can refer to it later if needed. This helps overcome these fears.
Step #2: Find solutions to anything stopping you from starting 🛠
Write down any obstacles that are stopping you from starting your project. Then find solutions to overcome them. Here are a few examples:
Obstacle: I don't have the time to spend on side projects as I work full-time and have family obligations.
Solution: Spend only 20 minutes everyday on your project.
Obstacle: I don't have the appropriate tools or resources to build the project I have in mind.
Solution: Start small. Break down the project into manageable pieces. Once you see some progress decide whether to invest in the required resources.
Step #3: Constantly remind yourself of the benefits of personal projects 🎗
Write down the reasons you're creating your personal project and always remind yourself of them. Here are a few of my reasons:
I can try out any new tools or techniques I come across in my project.
It helps me deepen my understanding of technical topics by solving various problems I encounter along the way.
I can stay active in the tech community by taking notes on my projects and sharing my experience.