The Big Java Blog

Studying programming or web development is not an easy task. It requires time, passion, determination, focus, and active mind ready for trillions of “aha” moments. If one of the elements is weak link, your ending result will drop more then you expect. Here is the step-by-step guide which will help you to achieve your success in your future web developer/programming carrier. I am using all of these methods right now, and it works for me.

1. MOST IMPORTANT PART! QUIT YOUR ADDICTION! NOW!

This is most important step. Everyone faces an addiction sooner or later. For example, I install a video game just to try it out, and it turns into months of non-stop gaming. This is clearly addiction to video games. I am weak to them. That video game (demon) owns me. You must quit your addiction. It turns you into brainless zombie.

Quitting an addiction is hard. Very hard. Whenever I say “now it’s enough” to my addiction, I face that demon inside of me who is saying “but we are having fun!” or “oh come on, you will find time for studying later”. Fighting that demon is almost like the movies you watch on TV, where random guy fights a demon that controls him, it is a fight for your very own life. While I am writing this very sentence I am deleting that cursed video game. If I managed to beat an addiction, I am sure you can too. Limit your hours, or just quit it.

After this very hard first step, everything else will be piece of cake (except of the last part). Just remember, if you don’t quit your addiction now, reading everything below will be almost useless.

2. Start using “pomodoro” technique

“The technique uses a timer to break down periods of work into 25-minute intervals (referred to as “pomodoros”) separated by breaks and is based on the idea that frequent breaks can improve mental agility.” -wiki

What is basically means that, you should work or study for 25 minutes, and then take a small break. And so on. This way you can work for a very long time without losing your focus.

To keep track of our sessions, we will use focus booster application. It is very simple app that is basically a timer. So, when you are ready, click the play button and start studying. Important thing is, not to break your 25 min session by any costs. If you have to pee, hold it. Don’t grab a sandwich or read email. After 25 minutes are over, you get 5 minutes of free time. Then you can read your email, surf a bit, or do push-up or two (it is healthy after all).

3. Don’t listen to music while studying (or working)

I know you feel like music pumps you up, but effect is totally different. Your mind should be focused on your task and not on lyrics or melody. I myself tried studying with and without music. With music, I had to reread lot of sentences because my mind was focused on awesome music and not on meaning of sentences. Also, I remember way more without music.

4. Shut down your net

This is very cruel, I know. Is there anything bad about checking Hacker News for 1 sec or your e-mail or just to read twitter. Unfortunately, Yes there is. You must not break your 25 min session for nothing. IF you keep breaking it for 1 sec, sooner or later you will break it for 10 minutes.

If you don’t want to plug out your net, you can make this page as your new official homepage.

5. Determine how much “pomodoros” will you do tomorrow.

Before you go to sleep, determine your tasks for tomorrow. This way you will find out how much free time you have tomorrow so you can plan how many “pomodoros” will you do. Give your best to do at least five sessions a day. ten is good. More than ten is awesome.

6. Important tasks first, waste time later.

First moment you get free time, don’t read your email, or check your RSS feed. Start your study session first. You can always waste time later in 5 min breaks, or when you are done learning for today. Why am I saying that? Because, when you start surfing before you did your session(s), you are not limited by time frame. That way you can waste your precious time for hours. But if you are done with sessions for today or you are having 5 minute break, “time-waster” time is limited by short break or late night hours/you being tired.

After few days… Doomsday!

You were giving your best for past few days. Studying, working, fighting bad habits… and after another very hard day you went to sleep. While you were sleeping, all evils of this world decided to crush you, because you are on your way to success. They gather all they strength and strike you with devastating blow.

After you wake up next morning, you will feel different… All the passion, focus, determination, will be gone! This is the doomsday. After you sit on PC, you will find that you no longer want to do what you were doing for past few days. Your mind will emit demotivation signals. Like: “This was wrong, being web developer is stupid, you better go learn more about [something else]” or “why don’t you have a break for few days, do [something to waste time]“. If you don’t manage to get through the doomsday, you will fail. You will not be able to get on the track anymore. Believe me, it happened to me multiple times.

So, how do you get through the doomsday? There is no helpful tip. You will just have to stick with your routine you did for past few days.

As I am finishing this blog post… I just realized I got through my doomsday. I hope you will enjoy this article as I did for writing it. If you find this blog good, follow this blog via rss/email subscription/twitter! That way you are giving me more determination to write next blog post.

Reference : http://wayofcoder.com/2011/07/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-focus-on-learning-development/

Tip of the day :

Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is illusion.
Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.”