EASY Way to Improve Your FOCUS as a Self-Taught Programmer

[@AndySterkowitz]

How difficult is it for you to concentrate for long periods of time? Are you going to implement any of the strategies I mentioned in the video?

[@abdelrahmanabdelhadi4195]

I swear just right now before this video was uploaded I was telling my father how hard I am finding it to concentrate

[@kylehill9552]

This helps so much, thank you!

[@andresramirez3840]

I have had these last few days. I’m getting easily distracted

[@noahholt5442]

I have always had a rough time focusing on anything really. I don't spend too much time on social media or texting people but youtube is a big black hole that always sucks me in. I am really hoping that some of these strategies help me out, wish me luck.

[@skateboarder1000]

Andy Sterkowitz How can I be mentored by you? I just ordered my new computer and since I am home due to covid19 I really want to dive in.

[@6213111566]

the sheer timing of this video is astounding, thank you for this.

[@AndySterkowitz]

I can read minds :-)

[@poetlorryit]

@@AndySterkowitz Yo Andy!

[@henriherrera9744]

@@AndySterkowitz Yeah, you can.

[@itschamesbitch]

Seriously. I just closed my udemy course because my mind was elsewhere, opened youtube and here this was.

[@francisc.t.2033]

Andy im suprised that ur a self thaught developer and so proffesional at understanding the code by the way you teach, as you said you are a self thaught programmer and do you read books to learn as a self thought? And if yes ,could you make a video about What book di i use to self thought? Thanks it would be really helpful

[@andremercado6776]

Hey Andy. I am 18 years old and am planning on attending regular university to get a degree in computer science. Do you think I should do this or teach myself how to code.

[@MidoLapseit]

i actually lost focus around half of the video and i stopped to write this comment im doomed

[@ТониАндреев]

I lost my focus around 1:30 to read comments :D

[@PersistentPureheart]

I lost focus wondering if such a conversation was taking place while i was watching the video. Turns out there's a party here.

[@UmpikLumpik]

I'm playing scale on guitar while watching... dayum

[@MarioTomicOfficial]

Good one Andy! Focus is the new IQ.

[@AndySterkowitz]

Thanks Mario!

[@frog42]

I 100% agree. I have adhd, and task switched a lot. But I found that increasing the time you spend on something really helps. If you find it hard at first like I did and sometimes do, take your time. If 30 minutes is too long to focus, try for 10 then 15 the next time or so and build upon it

[@beaukyrst7488]

I lose focus for the sole reason of my full-time job which involves a lot of physical tasks. I work in a graveyard shift from 2000H - 0800H everyday. And when I get back home, I end up falling asleep and having less time to practice coding. Very specific and informative video as always..

[@88abdenj]

I'm a beginner self-taught web dev, I always turn off my phone for 1 hour just to focus on a course, than I took 15 minutes pause, to check my social media account, than go for a second hour, and so on.

[@abdulhaseeb1224]

My problem is if i turn off my phone for 1 hour and then took my phone to check social media so i end up using it more than 30 minutes

[@dennisdzeko3916]

@Naji Abde-LLatif how is your progress now?

[@johnathanbeal9785]

also, Android > Gear Icon > Apps & Notifications > Screen Time , this allows you to monitor and limit app usage

[@samina7800]

All Javascript developers love VsCode

[@ektabazala9247]

This video came at right time. In quarantine time, I was losing my focus over this addiction. Now I m gonna try to focus on my future studies. Thanks a lot friend.

[@Ayasaleh10969]

this video is really so useful and on time. I used to put my phone in another room, but once I get up to the bathroom, I go to the other room first to check on my phone and waste some time there. I guess it's mentality related thing too

[@LostSoulAscension]

Also if you're a beginner, don't expect to be able to hammer out 2-6 hours right away. The reason why it's so easy to get distracted by social media and other dopamine related distractions is primarily based on your preestablished habits and how much you were letting those things distract you so easily prior to this new desire to build the habit and essentially the lifestyle of a programmer. This is from someone who's a musician, having played for almost 13 years now, it takes a while to build a focus tolerance in your craft as a beginner for one. Secondly, simply deactivating your social media for a time is a smart detox/recalibration move. Otherwise you'll be in a more temptuous battle and eventually find a way to weasel yourself back into your old temptations. If any of you have issues with porn too, check out K9 protection for your computer, it's free and let a family member or trusted friend make a password for the settings. Also Detoxify is my favorite phone blocker, only $50 for a year, less than $5 a month, and if that's not enough, the above app and K9 block all incognito mode porn. I'm not sponsored, I just love these apps and found it worth the investment. K9 is free. Yoga is a great healthy mobility and posture balancer, as well as mindful practice, I've been doing yoga with adriene on yt for a long time now because it's free and designed for all levels, especially the 30 day journies. Yoga will also increase your energy threshold therefore your willpower. One last mention is get a consistent sleep schedule, nightly routine that indicates the mind n body to wind down, and morning routine to wake up. Your hormones are on a schedule your mind and body have memorized for the sake of efficiency, but a sporadic sleep schedule will take way more energy out of you than you care to want. Also, get out of bed asap by putting your phone far away, forcing you to get up. This will make getting out of your bed way easier. Habits homies, best of luck.

[@cUser691]

Thanks Lawrence. Good considerations & thoughts u made

[@David_K_C]

Fantastic video. It's so easy to become distracted in this age of advanced technology.

[@karadparth]

Hi, I'm new to programming as well as computer science. I'm a mechanical engineer and trying to become a self taught programmer(or coder, or developers; exactly I don't even know the difference). I'm getting confused and not feeling like I'm reaching anywhere even after giving 10hrs/day. How should I proceed further. I can give 2 3hrs for 7/8Months ahead. I am interested in app as well as web development but don't even know what the trend is, and how it's gonna change. So I'm confused about the path as well. Please guide if anyone knows what I'm talking about.

[@valoriebroderick]

I struggle a lot with focus. I'm waiting to start my first paid project for a client, so I am supposed to just work on developing my skills until then. I find I can really focus for a few hours a day and then my brain says, "nope." It gets fried and I just can't force my brain. Even after a break. I have to actually call it a day and pick it up again the next day. I looked up the biology of this. Apparently adenosine builds up in your brain and tells it to stop thinking so hard. It physiologically blocks off your focus. I need to enable my mind to go longer before getting tired!😅

[@The0Stroy]

I have ADHD and I'm slightly autistic. It makes me really hard to focus on one thing. I suffer it greatly. Of course - sometimes I manage to focus but this makes me tired quickly.

[@captainalpha4853]

Hey Andy! Thanks for the videos! I'm at my last year in college as a cs major, and I was wondering what does a typical day look like at a company for the junior/entry-level/non experienced frontend web developers? Thank You!

[@jenmanzella1948]

I'm currently weaning off Adderall. I've attempted to get off this several times but each time, my velocity dipped and I ended up refilling my prescription. I am attempting this again. I used to be a fantastic student and intern without the use of adderall so I know it's possible to retrain myself to focus naturally, with success. The transition is going to be hard but it's necessary because this shit is a recipe for heart disease. I'm a self-taught programmer like you are. I'll try applying the advice in your videos. Thank you!

[@xeniarosa8589]

Can you say validating? Because I can, and already having the FB newsfeed eradicator installed gave me that serotonin boost of validation lol.

[@AndySterkowitz]

That's the plugin I use :-)

[@Blue_Ocean720]

These endless coding advice videos are drops of sugar 😭😭😭 I'm not getting any actual learning done

[@scottnkia]

I am 50 years old and want to become a web developer. I want to improve myself and I am always learning. But at 50 will I get a job with a company or free lance is the way to go?

[@mikaeljacobsson1437]

I know that i am a bit late but wanted to comment. Anyways, i wish the phone was the reason for my issues. That would have been "easy". I get bored easily and needs things to do all the time. So i have several interests that compete for my attention (atleast 7 different huge interests). Regarding programming, i have 10 different, quite difficult projects running at once. I need the variation or it messes with my motivation.

[@ignacioanezin2352]

This video cames in the right moment. With all this s we're going thru, I lost motivation and it had been hard for the last couple of weeks to my to focus or ended up the day saying something like "I did something productive today". I hope I can reach that positive and very healthy state of mind again. Keep going with the vids Andy, they r very useful for a lot of us!! Take care, peace

[@frog42]

Keep trying : ) we have our have our hard days. There are times I just can't productive due to depression. Don't beat yourself up if you need extra time : )

[@roaldkamman1091]

haha, I had cold turkey blocker installed, it only took me a few days before I figured out how to deactivate the software. Which was difficult enough. And strangely I learned a thing or two deactivating it.

[@FigFirearms]

Here's a trick I use as a geek 😂 I have a tv in my room, I turn on youtube while I'm about to code or study, I type in "Iron man tony stark lab ambience, and it pops up Tony's lab with some relaxing sounds In the back, and than I feel like an absolute bad ass while I code 🙏 can stay there forever

[@Gabriel-cd5jx]

How about pomodoro technique? I do 2 pomodoros of 1 hour each before lunch and 4 after it. Each 1 hour or 25 minutes I stop to check my phone and stretch out for 10 min. What you guys think about pomodoro?

[@shakealhuggins4387]

Thinking about getting an Apple Watch so I don’t look at my phone. Thanks for the great video

[@squirrellordsgaming2772]

It's like choosing between an Apple or a Soda. Apple has less instant sugar, but is better for you in the long run.

[@chrismumma8739]

Thanks Andy, this is definitely a current struggle! The information shared is a great help! Thank you!

[@sumaname1058]

I am a php developer shall I need to go for ai/ml or any other booming technology??

[@Moerkness]

I met many programmers at the buddhist monastery :)

[@lene3667]

I just turn my phone off. Just turn it off and throw away

[@PrimitiveFuturologist_YTC]

Have you read Deep Work by Cal Newport?

[@blackspider7825]

Great strategies

[@AndySterkowitz]

Thanks Haytham!

[@Pizzanomicz]

Wow I'm early for this one.

[@ShaneSlack]

haha same

[@zenex_fx7786]

Im only 14 and I want to learn how to program but I don't know how to start? can someone help me?

[@henriherrera9744]

You could try edx free programming courses or freecodecamp.org - If you find it too overwhelming i suggest you to seek free courses about scratch (It's a programming language) and start with that one.

[@zenex_fx7786]

@@henriherrera9744 thank you so much

[@woodysvideos6756]

Thanks for the advice, keep up the great work!

[@saulmorales8040]

I need help to not turn on a game and focus for at least an hour.

[@Knuddelfell]

Wise words (:

[@priyanujbora7054]

Thanks a lot!! Really needed it!!!

[@kmj5435]

Hi I’m 33 im trying to self teach myself with no college I was in school for nursing? Can you tell me if you have any programs or the resources you used to do this for yourself? My name is ken. If I get into your fb group can You dm us?

[@mglmchl]

Go on Reddit /learnprogramming

[@josiahhockenberry9846]

No joke, I really think I need to take ritalin or something like that. I was diagnosed with ADD when I was younger and never wanted to use drugs but, I'm really struggling to focus. None of my previous jobs required this amount of focus so it was never a huge deal. I still don't like the idea of drugs though. I never liked the way they make me feel. Any advice, anyone?

[@syedabbasrizvi3005]

Hi Andy....Like always great video....need help...since am new to field of technology....Need to know best way to learn python as most of courses do not clear things like loops and functions....please advise

[@jasminedrift630]

I starting to learning. Have anybody self -taught want to learn with me ?

[@naftalimurgor9767]

Me here

[@christenclark5213]

I never thought about turning off LinkedIn or Slack or KZbin videos before. I have Facebook feed turned off. I will look up how to put them in sleep mode or turn off notifications. Big help I get so many notifications from so many sources. Thanks!

[@cvernon5256]

Self-mastery. It's an apropos topic and fitting for where I am with life in general. Thanks for the insight. I'd created a similar parallel before with food, too: cookies, junk food, whatever are instantly gratifying and do have a place but a price for their immediacy (high calorie counts and lacking in nutrients) whereas things like vegetables, fruits, etc. hold a delayed gratification. They may take a while to develop a taste for but they are healthier for you and should be more present. But as with all things, balance is key. Too much or too little of anything can cause problems.

[@JohnnyCarvalhoCharlie]

Hi! Nice video! I have a question: do you recommend doing code Katas to practice logic? I think it's good because if I don't know how to solve a problem, I can do some research and know new functions, methods... Sorry for the english :)

[@abhijitchitnis7292]

This Video is something which supports me to be a happier person when the Sun shall set in the evening. I am a .Net Developer and these distractions are a major stumbling block during phases of diving into finding the best programming-design for a backend development process.

[@manuelmedina6909]

I'm having that specific problem right now, I can center my attention on certain subject for around an hour or less but after that, my brain start to think on those stimulations like Netflix, youtube, Instagram. I'm going to try to be stronger and resist temptation. Thanks for your pieces of advice.

[@UmpikLumpik]

I replaced my behaviours with playing on the guitar, now I can play on guitar, but not code... :-D

[@renzoyasay9720]

Thank you Andy! really needed this kind of advice especially today crisis(COVID-19)

[@beeah1193]

Wow I really needed this . Its something I had to watch. For times like these where we software developers are losing focus . I'm more incline towards using my phone or just random browsing which is really a waste of time. Thank you. Edit : also I think I have a crush on you :)

[@shamiulislam6807]

Hey Andy, u are great.

[@Theokondak]

Andy, it's like you read my mind and answer my questions. Many of your videos are answering my questions. That means, that you are probably doing a good job thinking of your subjects, and also means that I am not alone in my odyssey to become a web developer while being 30+ with ADHD and Dyslexia. Thank you for your great content gives me strength.

[@emilio_319]

Great video. I needed to be reminded of this. Your channel is motivating for those of us who are teaching ourselves because you always keep it positive. Thanks!

[@bitafarahmand1559]

I get tired when I focus on something more than 1.5 hours and when That happens I learn slower. So I just get up and come back after a couple of hours.

[@falconspy1668]

who else is a victim ?

[@panzer5589]

I've always known I've had an issue with going straight to my phone when bored. This video is what I needed to motivate me to do something about it. Its hard but I want to build my coding skills and I think this will help me continue on my way 🙌

[@fityetty]

great video

[@stalluri11]

Nice video. Concentration is so difficult in this spare time. Good strategy given

[@clementzentz2940]

and how do you stop playing mount and blade bannerlord? i didn't figure it out yet.

[@raincamphike]

Thanks for the video man, as always amazing content!

[@kevinwestrom4775]

Great video.

[@farmfarm2270]

Also use meditation and write out all disturbing thoughts on paper

[@gauravpande]

1:16 - love the subscribe animation, font, and gradient work :)

[@dabom7536]

Hello, is there any video(or can you make one) off every part of developer and skill needed to create a app from design to the dev side and so on pls

[@alejandromachacanavia8036]

100 % Agree

[@thisisheaven2488]

Great video but that light in the bookshelf is distracting

[@EddyVinck]

My next side project is going to be a tool to help me focus.

[@viscomtec744]

Cool vedeo very important insight

[@hotclicks7366]

tnx man

[@husainbharmal2907]

Yup you are right ✔ love you sir............ 👨

[@rayofsonshine]

Hi Andy 👋 I’ve self taught myself skills for a job before but now I’m starting my journey to become a web developer, probably using a mix of online school and self teaching in order to learn quickly. I really appreciate how calm you are. Your channel is very reassuring and reminds me to focus on only the next step, which is super hard for me to do. Thank you so much for making your videos. Watching your channel is like talking to a friend 😁👍 I feel like if we met IRL you, my husband, and I would all get along great because we are all super chill! 🥳 Anyways, hope you’re having a great day! Keep on keeping on 😁

[@darchansuleimen3591]

hi. if u want i can help u in ur study. I'm a webdev, we can do consultations / lessons via teamviewer or smth.. Mb u ll help me to improve my Eng

[@melodicengineer2545]

Hey andy hope you are doing ok throught this pandemic! Could you make a youtube video on your take of the level of math required to be a great software developer? Stay safe bro

[@georgiosdoumas2446]

I assume that you are not going to work in 3D rendering engines, so in general you certainly need to be familiar with 2D and 3D arrays (to understand the for loops) and also with linear equations (which represent lines) and them maybe some basic statistics. Of course if you want to work in the Data science field you will need more statistics. But the high school algebra and calculus should be enough for most programmers.

[@shric9548]

Thanks for the motivation lad.

[@uchi5171]

.

[@dboijahskush1251]

Wow so much truth I had to watch another one

[@kentony2003]

Yeah this video is really nice to drive oneself off those addictive behaviors... thanks Andy.👍

[@AndySterkowitz]

No problem 👍

[@eishamughal6304]

Yes sir It is real motivated 😊

[@jlahmed]

I want cookies

[@jsxica3751]

Enlightened words

[@anishjoshi1999]

love from nepal

[@MrDoublebeats]

What is the plug-in that you was speaking about

[@AndySterkowitz]

I use: News Feed Eradicator For Facebook : chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/news-feed-eradicator-for/fjcldmjmjhkklehbacihaiopjklihlgg?hl=en DF TUBE for Blocking KZbin: chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/df-tube-distraction-free/mjdepdfccjgcndkmemponafgioodelna?hl=en Hope that helps!

[@sayidabyan5828]

Thank you

[@LeagueoflegendsDomin]

Thanks 😊

[@dllort69]

I needed this, thanks

[@rathorrath401]

Currently when im trying to concentrate and i get stuck... I get SOOOO tired. My body just feels like i haven't slept in 24 hours. Working on it.

[@Mosiano]

Mannn travis me 2 bro haaaaaaa like I need anap

[@johnokolo9977]

This is really came at the right time, thank you Andy for the inspiration.

[@AndySterkowitz]

You're very welcome