💊 Side Effects of Learning How To Code

Stick to the stated dose, results may vary…

What’s the one thing you hate to do but love the results?

For me, it has to be working out/going to the gym.

Not only do I find exercising really tough, but I hate how it makes me hot, sweaty and tired.

Yet there’s a reason why I keep going back to the gym. Why every week I keep dragging myself there and pushing myself through the pain, I keep showing up no matter what because I only care about one thing - the results.

Despite finding exercise challenging and sometimes downright unpleasant, I keep coming back to the gym because I know the positive side effects are worth it. Things such as being in better shape, feeling good about myself, reducing stress/anxiety, and getting better sleep.

At this point, I couldn’t quit even if I wanted to, as I’m too addicted to these results!

And when it comes to learning how to code, the same is true.

The positive side effects far outweigh the negative. As you probably already know coding jobs are in high demand and often pay well. But the benefits of learning to code go far beyond career opportunities.

As long you’re willing to keep showing up and pushing through, you’ll soon find yourself addicted to receiving the following results:

Better Problem-Solving Skills 🧠

Problem-solving is a skill that is valuable in all aspects of life, whether it's at work, in personal relationships, or simply dealing with everyday challenges. Learning how to code can actually help you become a better problem solver by training your brain to think more systematically and creatively.

When you encounter a complex programming challenge, you learn to break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This skill is called "chunking," and it's a technique that can be applied to any problem.

A fun fact that supports this point is that the process of breaking down complex problems into smaller parts is actually modelled after the way that our brains work. Our brains have a limited capacity to process information, so we naturally chunk information into more manageable pieces. By learning how to code, you can improve your brain's ability to chunk information and apply it to other areas of your life.

For example, let's say you have a big project at work that seems overwhelming. By breaking it down into smaller tasks and tackling them one by one, you can make the project seem more manageable and less daunting.

This technique can also be applied to personal goals, such as learning a new skill or improving your fitness. By chunking the goal into smaller tasks and focusing on them one at a time, you can make progress more quickly and feel more accomplished along the way.

Increased Creativity 🎨

Coding is often thought of as a technical skill, but it's also a creative one. Just like painting, music, or writing, coding allows you to bring your ideas to life in a tangible way. In fact, many programmers view coding as a form of art, where the computer screen is their canvas and code is the paintbrush. When you learn to code, you gain the ability to create something from scratch, and the possibilities are endless.

But it's not just about creating something new - learning to code can actually boost your overall creativity as well. An article published BetterUp found that “increased creativity in the workplace leads to positive outcomes”. This means that by learning to code, you're not just developing a technical skill - you're also strengthening your creative muscles leading to better job satisfaction.

And even if you don't consider yourself a particularly creative person, learning to code can still help you express yourself better. Whether you're building a website or designing a mobile app, coding gives you the tools to bring your ideas to life in a way that's uniquely your own. So if you've ever felt stuck in a creative rut, learning to code could be just the thing to help you break out and unleash your inner artist.

Improved Attention to Detail 🕵️

When you learn to code, you have to pay close attention to every line of code and every character, making sure everything is in its proper place. This level of attention to detail can transfer over to other areas of your life, such as writing or editing.

In an article by Manish Jain on Hackernoon, Manish outlines four ways why programmers are naturally inclined to become good writers:

• Ability to think of the expected outcome
• Understanding the premise of the problem
• “Make it work, make it right, make it fast”
• User-first approach

All these things lead you to being able to structure your thoughts in a more linear and process-oriented way, which is an awesome skill to have for writing.

So, if you're someone who struggles with paying attention to the details, learning how to code could be a great way to improve this skill. Plus, you might just find yourself becoming a better writer in the process!

Enhanced Logical Thinking 💡

When you learn to code, you start to think in a more structured and logical way. You begin to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces, and you start to see how each piece fits together to create the bigger picture.

This enhanced logical thinking can transfer over to other areas of your life, such as decision-making and problem-solving. For example, you might find yourself better equipped to make important decisions because you can break down the pros and cons more logically and systematically. You might also be able to solve problems more effectively because you can identify the root cause of the issue and work on it step by step.

Interestingly, learning to code can even improve your memory and attention span. According to The Coding Space, boosting memory is one of the “3 Brainy Benefits of Coding”.

Therefore, if you're someone who wants to improve your decision-making or problem-solving skills, or if you just want to boost your memory and attention span, learning how to code could be a great way to achieve these goals.

Better Time Management Skills ⏰

Coding is a process that requires a lot of patience and discipline. Learning how to code can teach you valuable time management skills that extend far beyond the computer screen.

As you write code, you'll learn to break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. This process requires you to estimate how much time each task will take and prioritise them based on importance and deadline. As you become more experienced, you'll start to recognise patterns in your work and develop efficient workflows that help you complete tasks more quickly.

Some of the most successful people in the world, credit their success to their ability to manage their time effectively. Learning how to code can help you develop the same level of discipline and focus, which can help you achieve your goals in all areas of your life.

Whether you're a student trying to balance school and work, or a professional looking to advance your career, improving your time management skills can have a profound impact on your success.

Improved Communication Skills 🗣

Coding is often seen as a solitary activity, but in reality, it requires a lot of communication and collaboration. Whether you are working on a team project or seeking help from online communities, effective communication skills can make all the difference. By learning how to code, you can enhance your ability to communicate your ideas more effectively to others.

According to the Indeed Career Guide, communication skills are the most commonly requested non-technical skill in job postings for coding-related roles. This shows just how important it is to be able to communicate effectively as a programmer.

Improving your communication skills through coding can also have a ripple effect in other areas of your life. For example, it can help you become a better listener, understand different perspectives, and communicate more clearly in general.

And the best part is that you can start practising your communication skills while you learn how to code. Joining online communities or attending coding meetups can provide opportunities to collaborate and communicate with others who share similar interests.

Greater Sense of Accomplishment 🏆

When you successfully create something through coding, it can be incredibly rewarding. Coding can actually release dopamine, a chemical in the brain associated with pleasure and reward. This sense of accomplishment can boost your confidence and motivate you to take on more challenges as you not only feel a sense of accomplishment but also a rush of positive emotions.

This positive feeling can extend beyond coding and into other areas of your life. For example, achieving a personal goal, finishing a challenging project at work, or even completing a difficult workout can all elicit similar feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Additionally, the confidence boost that comes with achieving success through coding can inspire you to take on even more challenging projects and pursue new opportunities. It can also help you to overcome imposter syndrome, a common experience in which people doubt their abilities and feel like they are not qualified to do something, even when they are.

By experiencing success through coding, you can start to see yourself as capable and competent, which can translate to other areas of your life as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning how to code can have numerous positive side effects that can benefit various aspects of your life. By improving your creativity, attention to detail, logical thinking, time management, communication, problem-solving skills, and sense of accomplishment, you can become a more well-rounded individual with valuable skills that can transfer to many different areas of your life.

Remember, consistency is one drug where it pays to stick to the dosage 💊.

It can be taken morning or night, and is better with food!

From your fellow ever-growing dev,

Cherlock Code

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