How do you even start?
In the almost 20 years that I have been involved in tech as a software developer, one question is more common than any other, "How do I get started?" Whether it is at programming, at making games, learning to code, or really anything (even non-tech related), my answer is pretty much the same. Make something. But how does one start making anything? If you have little or no experience that question is a good place to start.
Where to start
One thing I find important to remind myself, and by extension others, is start where you are. What do you already know? What skills do you already have? Who do you know that can help? Don't focus on where you want to end up (you probably don't know yet). Rather, focus on the direction you want to go. Then, take the first small step in that direction. You figure out that direction, come up with something to make, and start small. Make it bigger or different than you've done in the past. Completing more complex tasks helps you grow. The difference doesn't need to be huge. You'll get to that later.
Start With One Small Step
Once again, how do you start? Small. Take the first small task in the direction you want to go. Don't worry about doing it perfect. No one has really figured out what perfect is in most cases anyway. A programmer (whether or not they know how to program yet), doesn't say I'm building this app or I'm automating this task. No, they break that up into smaller sub-tasks. They might choose a language they want to code with (and you can pick any one that other people use to do the same thing, there are no wrong answers when the goal is learning).
Outside of programming, people sometimes have an exercise goal to run a 5K, 10K and the distances keep going. But, to get to those goals without destroying your physical and mental health they start by running 30 seconds at a time. In fact, there is a whole program called Couch to 5K (C25K) that was created with this in mind. I've completed it a couple times. I hate running, but I can run for 30 seconds, then walk at least 2 minutes before running another 30 seconds and repeat. The point is, your first step is the only one you really need. If it's small enough that you think to yourself, "I can do that right now." it is definitely the right size. Just make sure you are pointed in the right direction.
Learning From Obstacles
Photo: laurakgibbs/Flickr
Now that you are moving in the direction you want, you'll encounter difficulties, obstacles and challenges. This is perfect, because this is what the experts and professionals also deal with. It is part of learning to be < insert thing you want to be here >. Now's the time to review what you've learned so far.
The first thing is that you now have a clear problem you can ask for help with. You've learned that. If you want to program, stack overflow and AI code assistants can help get you moving again. In some cases, you'll find that you need to build up some sort of skill first. Maybe you've seen a term used a lot but don't really know what it means. Research that. In my C25K journeys, I would come to weeks where I couldn't finish. Sometime is was a mental block, a physical block or both. All there was to do was repeat the week, or even go back a week, and continue until I had the mental and physical ability to achieve the week.
This is the basic learning loop. You repeat these steps until you complete the complex task. Review what you are learning as you go along. Maybe take some learning side quests to keep it interesting. Take note and review each success and step that you accomplish. These are things you can share with others to show your competency. And you know what? That's how you show yourself you have competency as well.
Forward Isn't The Only Direction
But what if you decide not to complete the project. Maybe you'd like to do a different project? What if you get so stuck on a step you don't know what to do next. Does that mean you failed? Remember, this is a low/no stakes task you've given yourself to learn. By that metric, you are already ahead of who you were when you started.
Photo: Ailura/Wikimedia
When I was younger, I played soccer (what is football to most). Younger players often just focus on heading directly towards the goal. As you advance you learn that going backwards and around the other team is the better way to get into the goal. That's the same in other areas of life. Rather than beat your head against the wall until you make your way through it (I am often guilty of doing this time and again). Why not just go around the wall? Look for a metaphorical door or window. It'll be much more efficient and you'll learn new skills along the way.
When looking for that new path, which directions do you take? Now it is time to act like a Roomba™. They don't know the perfect path to start with, so they go in one direction until they reach an obstacle (a wall, furniture, a pet, stairs) and then turn in another direction and do the same. Over time, it gets the whole (unobstructed) floor clean. Take that same approach to learning anything. The advice above could have just been this metaphor but we needed to get here with something a little more solid than a metaphor. I'll give you some helpful ways to choose the new direction to go in (or even start) at the end of this article.
How Much Have You Grown?
As you learn new things, it is immensely beneficial test your knowledge and see how you've progressed. How much have you actually learned? Doing this, you can see if you want to go deeper with your learning and if so, which areas will you focus on.
Photo: bytor137/deviantart
A good approach is something often referred to as The Feynman Technique. Richard Feynman was a physicist who was known for how well he could explain complex ideas so that anyone could understand. I am a hobbyist at learning physics (astro- and quantum-) and those ideas are mind altering at the best of times, and mind melting/numbing at the worst. What he would do to test if he really knew something was try to explain it as if he was explaining it to a child.
“Understand, don’t memorize. Learn principles, not formulas.”
You might know this as explain it like I'm 5 (ELI5). How satisfied are you with simplifying the concept? Is there some area you realize you didn't know as well as you thought? Great! You know what to dig in to. This is a pattern that can repeat itself as much as you want. And each time you will end up with something to show for it (at least to yourself - but maybe for your portfolio too).
Conclusion
Whenever find yourself asking, "How do I start..." anything, the answer is, "Start where you are and start small." You already have knowledge. You already have connections. You already have tools. Figure out a project to use as your compass that points you in the general direction you want to go to learn. Many goals, but especially learning goals, are about progress and not perfection. Don't worry about being perfect. In fact, don't worry. Just turn yourself like a Roomba™ and head in a new direction. Before you know it, you'll have covered a lot of ground.
Some Final Thoughts
For choosing that new direction/task try one of these and see what works for you
- If you are fretting about a certain task, do it first. In other words, do the task that would give you the most relief when completed as your first task.
- Pick the easiest/smallest/quickest task. Creating momentum and giving yourself an example of success can be quite motivating.
If you are trying to learn some new thing in an area that you are a veteran, maybe you even consider yourself an expert, remember to bring the Beginners' Mind.
- Beginners know they don't know.
- Veterans think they should already know.
- Remember you don't know, that's why you are learning.
