My Favorite Technique to Improve Coding Skills

[@AndySterkowitz]

Did this video give you a different outlook on how to improve your coding skills quicker?

[@scurvofpcp]

15/10 for me, but I also scored extra credit on a test for ADHD.... (more truth in that then I like to admit)

[@Nero-dq4ep]

Again, excellent tips for improving coding skills. It's fascinating to watch your videos as always

[@annresmyjoseph]

Thanks alot ...Powerful content✌

[@JoshT4life]

its like I already know I need to get into the zone but it's hard. Some days I feel like I can other days I don't. My question is can you get into the zone everyday? You personally, and what is your routine?

[@sukantb1980]

Thanks Andy that was really helpful..

[@ivanlo7195]

how to flow instead of fall 1. set start stop time 2. have a specific 25mins' goal 3. stay away from distractions 4. practice more and then willing to practice more

[@wilfredv1930]

yes

[@udithsupeshala2355]

Master meditation :)

[@Kdramacinema1]

@IVAN LO i really love how solid and focused you seem to be........how did you develop these measures for yourself?

[@butters742]

You know you have been in flow state when the time just flys by. The pomodoro technique certainly works wonders to get you into flow state. Highly recommended from a recovering procrastinator.

[@Jrej_dev]

I've been drawing comics in my spare time for 10 years now. I know I just can't get anything done until I'm in the zone. It means being at the same place, same time, no internet, no one to disturb me. I had not much problem replicating that for coding! Just a matter of practice.

[@dbrakowski]

Yes! "Double" Pomodoro for the win. 25 minutes is too short, but 50 is perfect.

[@progtom7585]

David Rakowski im a 45/9 man myself, so I agree... 25mins way to short to kick into flow

[@An-Engineered-Journey]

Andy it has been one year since I followed your resume template and got my first job as a software engineer while still in college. Now, I have a year under my belt and my degree and I look back and realize I didn’t know anything when I started. Good video

[@AndySterkowitz]

Thanks Jason! And that was me as well when I first started :-)

[@An-Engineered-Journey]

Andy Sterkowitz my background before this was car sales too! Lol! What a relief to go from car sales to software developer

[@noorahmed5115]

As far as I remember I had watched one of your videos in which you talked about pamidora technique. I applied that for a few days. But then after leaving for a day or two, I forgot it. Now I am planning to apply it again. Especially the following: 1. Set start and stop time 2. Set a goal / end result of what is going to be the end result of what you are doing 3. Remove distractions of cell phone, friends, family, notifications, emails etc These 3 will be enough for me to shape my career. Thanks Andy

[@BiancaAguglia]

Thank you for overcoming your introvert nature and putting out videos like this one. 😊 You did a great job explaining flow (and pronouncing Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's name. 😁) One thing I would add is that you can train yourself to ignore your environment regardless of how noisy or distracting it is (thus making it easier to go into flow.) One famous example of that is Tiger Woods. As a kid, he often had to practice in a loud environment (that was his dad's idea 😊) which made him able to ignore distractions and focus on his game. I know that works because I grew up in a noisy family and I'm now able to pretty much work anywhere. 😁

[@Mallick7]

@ Bianca, thank you. Your explanation helped me understand it better. I wish to read more.

[@gold4963]

I agree! Getting in the zone is ridiculously useful with so many things! My job is washing dishes, and I actually find it more pleasurable and easier being in the flow state. It’s difficult to explain, but awesome to experience!

[@AndySterkowitz]

Well said!

[@mayurborse1745]

I'm using pomodoro technique to study and practice algorithms. 8 pomodori for study, 4 for meditation daily for each week. Its working very well for me

[@danialiqbal5207]

You are a real mentor for aspiring software engineers. Great advice👏

[@PythonLearningChannel]

Edabit is good place to go, too. I challenge myself to maintain my "streak" by coding daily-- it shows a calendar with your days. Hopefully I'll get a month calendar with a solid color! No missed days!! 😬🙏🏻👍

[@solangelgonzalez2822]

that outro instrumental is wavey AF! it had me bumping my head after hearing a1 advice, good stuff andy, thanks

[@ogundeindeadedamola557]

Wonderful strategy! I will like to add CONSISTENCY as part of the strategies. You can get into the flow state but lacking CONSISTENCY can be a major drawback! Thank you Andy! Be safe!

[@zezeandjr4110]

Always with meaningful advice, and always genuine. Keep it up Andy.

[@harpalsinhjadeja2568]

For beginners you can do gamification that is programming on competitive platform like codeforces and leetcode. You will have a goal to achieve and also you will have to learn more to achieve it.

[@hajiimpressions8113]

I didn't realize, but I can remember that I would get 'into the zone' when I use to write my non-fiction stories. I actually had to think about how I did it in order to describe it to you. Yes, there were no distractions, and no, there was not a time constraint. All I can say is that it became one stream of thought, I was so laser focused, and into that pleasurable state that the outer world came to an end. I didn't think, I didn't want to pause, and risk getting out of the flow of my writing to make corrections in spelling.

[@kiwicami287]

Actually giving yourself challenges or a clear goal during a time period is really great advice. I remember doing this multiple times, i don't remember what i did but i was bored with the work i had to do and giving myself challenges or a goal really helped me get into a state of "extreme" concentration. I also experienced this state more when i used to smoke weed, maybe it wasn't weed that did it but i generally focused more on a single thing, be it in class or whatever else when i was high. I'm not saying you should smoke drugs to get into the zone in fact i think it would be detrimental on the memory i'm just saying it helped me to focus more

[@davidhaase9021]

That's really interesting. I would never be able to even get myself to do something mentally demanding while being high.

[@WarrenLeggatt]

For me another way to look at "flow state" is that it is like a form of meditation. I can get so deep internally in my mind that the only thing that exists is the code and the path of the data through it. I am no longer aware of even myself let alone what is around me. Deep enough that the code stays dry running in my head for hours. Most dev floors I have worked on over my decades coding I have noticed that many devs use headphones to close out the world. I have even worked with just low level white noise playing in headphones as it is something you can just tune out and thus takes out your hearing as a sense and hence that source of distraction. For new people just learning you might find that you are fighting things like syntax and simple stuff like how you solve a problem so that will block you going too deep, but it does get easier. You will know the first time you really hit it deep when you look away from the screen and the world is dark outside :)

[@spiral272]

Great video as always, Andy. I agree the flow state is really something that arises from creating and allowing to persist the right conditions. It’s not something you can “switch on”, so to speak, but more something like a confluence of forces. Love the idea of a set start and stop time, too. Super helpful.

[@AndySterkowitz]

Thanks Trevor!

[@eugenesergio]

I agree with selecting the one thing you can accomplish within a single period of pure work. This helps stay on the flow.

[@bass_journey]

Pomodoro rocks. It turns my brain off to the world and helps me focus a lot.

[@gregkail4348]

Thanks stumbled across this while studying something else Will listen to it again and again. I sense This is a skill that will to find True Joy

[@MathinusG]

Thanks Andy, made me think how that works for me. Up to now it's been late at night when there's no phones, disturbance etc. However this plays havoc with my day routine. Aiming to make an earlier start and an earlier night.

[@hrishikeshjadhav7010]

I didn't realised I've been already using "flow state " for coding , I call it my "GOD MODE" 😅

[@Asiro-S]

The zone is actually very easy to understand,, it's a focused mode, when you're doing something and the zone is super unreliable. If you want to learn more about it just check information out about procrastination :)

[@fatimafarhan4224]

one of the best advices ! Thank you !

[@ricardovazquez2274]

Yup getting in the zone is crucial, i have to attend a library to study because at home there are too many distractions. The feeling were everything clicks and hours flyby.

[@judsonfilms6430]

When I started coding I would get into the flow state all the time (I still do). As a sophomore, I would easily spend 6 hours straight on coding projects. The zone is the place to be, I’m just always shook to see how late it is when I come out of it.

[@jayalalkj1576]

According to me, flow states is directly connected neuroplasticity. Neuroplastic ( brain re-wiring) has come from the focused mind, patterns and repetition. I'm 32, until this age, I worked as sale executive, sales manager, door new paper delivery man, door advertisement delivery man, floor cleaner, dishwasher, food runner, table busser, barback, bartender, data analysts and Bioinformatician. Meantime, I have finished two master programs and many advance level courses + take care of my family financial situations. I succeed so far by following my own pattern and repetitions, moreover metal strength. As an example: In the case of coding, keep repeating the coding process by starting with C programing by understanding the concepts. Later after 1 year or 6 months (depends up person to person), grab python and rocket your coding life. Whatever job you do? Take 5 min break in every one hour Do some breath exercise Travel every week to a silent place end and do a thing don't usely do and just stress your body and mind

[@alphacode5]

I really agree with this, and a great way of achieving this if you are not good a keeping habits is making a type of commitment to your practice, for example, I started the 100 days of code challenge and that gives me not only a reason but kind of an obligation of practicing and making something every day, this along with my new approach of project-based learning really helped me improve my skills and my flow state lately

[@DukeJon1969]

great advice for any type of learning, not just programming

[@jesseburstrom5920]

This is exactly what i will work on to finally get to be programmer. Well library do not work home is best i think! I like the show when Sheldon controls his mind in flow but then again he gives pain to environment...

[@Davidk9292]

#3 always has and always will be the thing stopping me no matter what. There is no way I can avoid distractions. My family cannot and will not leave me alone, and even when I went to my local library or museum, I STILL got distracted by people. There simply is nowhere to go.

[@ayelaii]

Do you have noise cancelling headphones or anything? Also, I know some libraries have little rooms you can book to study distraction-free.

[@mray4105]

Sir i am from India🇮🇳 and I understand your lecture very well

[@r1e924]

I found myself in the "Flow state" as he was talking about getting into the "Flow state".

[@tut1227]

Thanks Andy, I needed to hear this, love you man!

[@rgsubscriber]

I found that I'm falling in that state since the very beginning, when I learned code and I became comfortable with coding.

[@________1516]

Thank you for this!!

[@returncode0000]

The only thing you really need is passion. If you‘re not passionate on what you‘re doing you will fail and you never reach the zone. So don‘t start programming only for job purposes if you‘re not passionate on it.

[@Kdramacinema1]

Totally agree......passion actually wakes you up even when you fall asleep....when did you discover your passion for I.T?

[@C30Net]

After being a student, I always did jobs that used my body and for making these jobs more tolerable I learnt to myself to day dream, to not focus on my jobs to let myself be bigger than just a worker by mind wandering

[@prakhar.odyssey]

Love your videos and advice Andy 🙌🏾

[@rafikimaskCode]

I needed this!

[@dragonballgow7417]

basically you should be in your Ultra Instinct State when you are coding

[@BenoNetto]

Really cool advice Andy, I need to get more in the zone and change some habits to be more productive. This will help. Thanks!

[@timtudosa2519]

First comment. Woo! Thanks Andy great content as always.

[@AndySterkowitz]

Thanks Tim!

[@albertusvanlubeeck9161]

Utilize manipulation tactics and the rewards system on yourself. I know it sounds messed up, but humans have weaknesses and you can turn those weaknesses into a strength. Work 30-45 minutes at a time, then take 10-15 minutes off and reward yourself once you start back up. 20 to 40 days later your habits will change.

[@herbertkip]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@ib6548]

This is a really helpful video. Thank you

[@coder4life]

I like your content. Keep up the good work.

[@BenjaminMassawe]

Very Helpful, Thanks Andy!

[@AndySterkowitz]

Cheers Benjamin!

[@anthonyvenable7867]

Hey I really like this vid I really want to improve my skill but haven’t been putting in the real work to do so but this vid really inspired me to give it my best shot and make my goals a reality.

[@abhaytiwari6411]

Welldone Andy Love from India

[@NightpireVideos]

Great advice, I will try it!

[@organicafricantechfarmer]

Am learning and hoping to get my first job in the next 4 months

[@nomandates9186]

this.setState({flow: true}) blocked by infinite loop of while(phoneInHand){return distracted}

[@yokoso2386]

bro can you translate the code, doesnt well understand

[@ali-pe4xe]

@@yokoso2386 as long as u don't have a phone in your hand you will be in flow state, you won't be distracted.

[@ConnoisseurOfExistence]

Very useful, thank you!

[@shawn-techsavvy9332]

Find that funny that I code all day in the flow state never did I know thts the name until I watched this..... but sooo true bro

[@rabiabanu1633]

Yeah!! This makes more sense now Main while my child shouts in low Pitch annoying noises , constantly keeping me away from that flow state and then my husband doing something “ perfect environment cratered for chaos”” Finals in one week. Flowstate......... 🏊🏻‍♀️ ........... yup yup.

[@GunnzaEIR]

My job right now is working at the cinema and the best times is when there is a big queue and you get in the flow serving customers

[@brycefant9106]

What I've found improves my coding skills: Write your code backwards. Literally, just start at the bottom of the to-do list, and end with the libraries you need. It makes you think way ahead, the editor most likely won't be agreeable, and you'll notice most of your flaws because they're halting your work flow instead of just slowing you down! Plus, it's super satisfying to watch every red squiggle go away when you finally add the libraries!

[@jkf16m96]

This technique works better when using pure functions. Even if the editor bothers you, you can always define them to throw a notImplementedException anyways. I think this is the best way to program, knowing from scratch ehat your program should do.

[@dianathomas2674]

"We live in a time where distractions are omnipresent, so..." Cuts to commercial. Lol.

[@borbecue]

Notification Gang 💪

[@shaikh.quadeer]

so again Islam proved here itself we have Prayer five times a day so your flow state is can be same to Namaz but Namaz is more beneficial than flow state 🤩😍 may Allah guide us on his defined path ♥️

[@rodStack]

Thanks andy

[@francisf.amunde2619]

Thank you so much Andy for this, but i could not find the link you talked about?

[@pitchireddyb646]

practice.. practice.. practice...this is only one idea

[@makadibalazs]

Hey Andy, what camera and mic are u using?

[@deebaser521]

Nooooooo, Robert C. Martin the godfather of clean architecture says you should avoid the zone for all sake. He also says that all code that was written in the zone is likely to be refactored. And he should know, he is a software architect since 40 years. So, what do you mean?

[@zak2684]

Closing your phone might be a big issue in emergency cases. Great stuff btw!

[@chaosopher23]

A cat that likes to purr on laps is not conducive to decent programming. She's a torty.

[@dushanindunil500]

i am sri lankan student and while i was in middle school i got a scholarship from Chinese government to study Mechanical and electronics engineering ( mechatronics ) but in the final year i dropped out from university cause of my discipline issues. now i am working as a Industrial Automation technician in Romania . i found i really have talent and desire for programming ( embedded and C programming IOT , Python ) but i cant apply jobs because i dont have a bsc degree and now i am 28 years old and no time to start a new degree program. as a non European most of companies asking lot of qualifications rather than skills for Visa purposes and their documents reasons. please be so kind to answer my questions sir ... i really want to be a embedded systems programmer ..... COULD YOU SUGGEST ME A SUITABLE ONLINE BSC DEGREE PROGRAME IN COMPUTER SCIENCE / ELECTRONICS / IT

[@ecarteo]

good video

[@Maaherahmed]

Anyone watch kuroko no basket you will understand what he is talking about

[@88SJoe88]

Flow state.. In sum, be one with the problem you are solving..?

[@vaidasmasys3764]

Great video! Flow is awesome. In my experience being in the flow is very similar to being on LSD. I would go as far as to say that LSD for a lot of people could be a gate away drug to flow. Pun intended, but this is not a joke. If you are reading this just google what happens to people on LSD. Especially what happens to your focus when you are on LSD.

[@1liamgarrett]

Motivational

[@jesseburstrom5920]

Also i have a friend very famous artist he has a studio and says he needs all self time to create. This is of course a sacrifice. You cannot allow interference. So how to juggle intermediary life in this and still get flow state? Hmmmm hard one, to find out who you really are, why you live the way you do, is it worth it?, economy, flow in that respect is expensive.

[@harshsaxena3235]

Guy just watched kuruko no basket 😂

[@subodai85]

Dude chill your audio on the harsh cuts, this is painful as a headphone user.

[@hyserra]

Not sure how you're doing videos now but this is 4k but you're blurry as hell lmao

[@danielcanedo5240]

Good men

[@whatgoglikeno6120]

Can you always find a task/goal for 25/50 minute coding sessions? I'm a working developer and whenever i tried that technique, i quickly failed to set actual goals, because the time frames are just too short for anything that *feels* like an actual accomplishment. At my job i have to track what i did in a day and even for that timeframe sometimes its hard to find something that sounds somewhat like a new feature. Its mostly "fixed this, removed bug here, research this new thing".

[@AndySterkowitz]

Sometimes the goal of a pomodoro session may be assessing the situation to see what I need to do next. Thats not the type of thing I will typically get into flow with, but it can help provide clarity of purpose about what I need to do next.

[@haSHAH1]

der Strömungszustand

[@soumadip_banerjee]

💕💕💕💕

[@RameenFallschirmjager]

The best to improve coding skills is starving! When you are starving to death, you have to learn to code to survive! 😂

[@chidieluke1445]

You are right

[@RameenFallschirmjager]

@@chidieluke1445 Nope, I'm left! And sometimes in the middle!

[@igorfleury7855]

focus is off

[@dejanspasovic377]

You talk about wu wei

[@adamodimattia]

The audio on this video is not in the flow state ;)

[@dariokartal9453]

I was just about to write that :-D

[@mr_meow_77]

Binod

[@amonraii7273]

Using PUA terminology on learning code. Interesting. So JS is the new chick that I need to seduce then eh? lol

[@MrPDTaylor]

Fourth

[@qwerasdfhjkio]

3rd*