Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#1

Post by cmstoken » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 2:36 AM UTC

Hello HN,

I haven't touched code in a few months. In the beginning, it was because I got burned out. I realized I needed to take a break so I did -- had a little vacation away from home for a bit. I'm back now but I still can't get myself to write even a line of code. How do I get started? I need that initial motivation. How do you guys do it?

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#2

Post by ollyfg » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 2:54 AM UTC

For me, I think for a while until I find something that I really want to make, or something that bugs me that I can fix, and even if it's something really very small, that motivation powers my first steps back into coding. It doesn't matter if someone's done it before, just do it your way.

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#3

Post by bemmu » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 3:22 AM UTC

Make just some tiny edit or write one line of code. Tell yourself that you're just going to do this one line. It gets you over the initial resistance and usually I end up writing a lot more than I intended at first.

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#4

Post by nartz » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 3:55 AM UTC

Start by finding something you want to code. Then think about it for a few days, and let the pressure build up. Then one day, instead of turning on the tv or going to HN, remove distractions and commit to 10 minutes of coding with no distractions. If you're like me, you'll start working for an hour or so before you get interrupted, but by that time you'll be back in the groove.

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#5

Post by alphagenerator » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 4:00 AM UTC

The code doesn't matter. You have to want the end product. The reasons for wanting it are personal, but you have to want it.

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#6

Post by notduncansmith » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 6:44 AM UTC

alphagenerator wrote: post #5

The code doesn't matter. You have to want the end product. The reasons for wanting it are personal, but you have to want it.

This. Code is a (rather enjoyable for many people) means to an end.

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#7

Post by staunch » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 8:56 AM UTC

Start with something easy and fun. Don't worry at all what it is. Give yourself time to build up momentum again.

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#8

Post by blueflow » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 12:15 PM UTC

When im unmotivated, i just open some file, look around my code and somewhere i find something i really, really want to change/fix (i have tons of unfinished private projects). And thats my 'initial motivation'

Re: Ask HN: How to get motivated to code?

#9

Post by wydyl » Sat, Aug 02, 2014, 1:27 PM UTC

When I get burned out with what I'm working on, I just look for whatever fascinating is happening around the tech space, and try to implement a simple yet crazy something. I might not finish it but kind of gets me going.