You might have been thinking about learning how to code and starting in this coding field, but for some reason, you haven't been able to start yet. Am I right? And there is a good chance that YOU ARE MAKING EXCUSES either knowingly or unknowingly.

Starting is rarely easy no matter what you're trying to do and coding is no exception. So it's perfectly normal to hesitate and be overwhelmed a bit at first but you also need to acknowledge the fact that YOU HAVE TO START SOONER OR LATER or else you'll hardly progress and reach your goal. So why waste any more time if you know that procrastinating won't do you any good? Therefore let's get straight into your excuses and help you tackle them head-on.

#1: Insecurity - are you really fit for coding?

Now, this is one of those questions that has been passed down to everybody willing to start in this field like a culture/tradition. But let me answer and close this question once and for all - everybody can code unless they have some form of mental illness or disability. That is all there is to it.

Some beginners doubt themselves by saying "...but I'm not good at Maths", "...but my friends say I'm dumb", "...but I am not smart, I am not special", etc. but honestly, have a little confidence on yourself and stop caring about such pointless things. If you are interested, go for it. I, myself, look like a potato, have a slow-processing mind, and am lazy, boring, and socially awkward but who cares? I'm still managing somehow and if I can, you can too.

#2: Computer Science Degree - you don't need that!

Computer Science is an important degree to have and you'll learn a lot of amazing things about computers, their system, architecture, their actual functioning process, and many more technical details during the course. However, it is not something that can prevent you from getting into the field of programming. It is just a good-to-have, not a must-have.

All that counts in this field is your skill, dedication & effort. If I talk about my own experiences from the interviews I have given, I was always asked technical questions about my skillsets, my portfolio, technologies, etc. whereas nobody cared about my degree at all. If you are skeptical about this, then do a little research on your own from your locality or the internet and you'll find out that this field has a large number of self-taught (degree-less) programmers than you thought. So yeah, you don't need that!

#3: Fancy Setup & Accessories - don't be materialistic!

Many beginners get caught up in the idea of needing fancy equipment and accessories to start their coding journeys, such as a Macbook, high-end PC, or a stylish desk setup like those seen in YouTube videos. However, fixating on these things can prevent you from getting started at all. The truth is, all you need is a decent laptop or PC and a reliable internet connection.

Understandably, not everyone may have access to a laptop or PC, but there are many budget-friendly options available. You can also start learning to code with just your mobile phone or even a low-end PC with the help of online compilers and such. While it may require some extra effort, remember the saying - "where there's a will, there's a way." I, myself, started with a 10-year-old Dell Inspiron 15R N5110 which was also a noisy heat generator aside from being a heavy laptop, and I managed to come a long way in this journey thanks to that old dude. So save fancy ideas for later when you grow and start right away with whatever you have.

#4: Time - nobody has enough

This is like a universal problem and truly, nobody has enough time. You might be working part-time or full-time jobs to support your family or your education, or you might be busy with college and studies, or you may have various other reasons. But as just as there is never enough time, I believe there is always some spare time.

Just a few hours a day will be more than enough to get you started and I think most of you will have that spare time which you can utilize in developing a quality skillset. However, if you don't have any spare time, then it's about time you re-evaluate your schedule and squeeze some time out. For instance, you can look for and utilize the wasted or unproductive time of your day or you can just squeeze out a tiny portion of time from each activity of your schedule which will then add up to be enough time.

#5: Resources & Guidance - there is way more than you'll ever need

In today's date and age, people might find it hard to believe that you don't have access to any resources to start your coding journey. It could be that you've used the internet for just entertainment all this time but the internet is full of learning materials & resources for those willing to learn and explore. This is also why it's not mandatory to have a Computer Science degree or a Bootcamp experience anymore as one can instantly access all the required resources from the comfort of their own home.

However, these over-abundant resources could be confusing and overwhelming for the starters because there are just too many options to choose from. This is where you might need a little guidance and regular directions along the journey. While it may be super challenging to get started with absolutely zero guidance, there are hundreds of online creators, teachers and guides, supportive communities, lots of blogs and tutorials, and even AI tools. And if you need further assistance, I'm always here to help you out.

#6: Motivation - I'll give you one, so follow me!

Before anything, I'd like to ask you a question - are you genuinely interested in this field? I mean - are you sure you didn't choose this because someone said to or just because your friends chose this? Because if this is what you really want to do, then there shouldn't be any problem with motivation at all. You're trying to pursue your interests - so just that fact should be enough to motivate you.

Motivation is an important factor in achieving goals and it also affects your consistency and dedication toward the work and effort you put in. Therefore, being self-motivated is the key here rather than relying on temporary bursts of motivation after watching a few videos online. Once you set your goals and take your first step, motivation will come naturally as you learn, grow, and excel. So, don't overthink things and focus on what you enjoy doing. Remember, staying motivated is easier when you are doing what you love.

Conclusion

Those were some of the most common excuses people make to avoid starting and I hope that this article has helped to dispel those excuses. Remember that YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET STARTED in the programming field. So don't let fear, doubt, or lack of motivation hold you back - take the first step, set your goals, and keep pushing forward.

And if you need any help or guidance along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to me. So, STOP MAKING EXCUSES and START CODING TODAY!