Navigating the 100-Day Coding Challenge Amid a Recession
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Chapter 1: The Current Economic Landscape
If you're like many, you might be watching your stock investments plummet. The cryptocurrency market is even worse, with Bitcoin now under $19,000 and Ethereum below $900. It's chaotic, with major players seemingly capitalizing on the turmoil—like Celsius, which halted all withdrawals. What can you do in such a scenario? Your strategy largely depends on your risk appetite. Personally, I’m willing to ride it out, even if my investments drop to zero.
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Chapter 2: Embracing the 100 Days of Code Challenge
The 100 Days of Code initiative has reignited my passion for programming. What better way to channel the anxiety of a recession than by committing to a learning challenge?
As discussions about a recession have shifted from speculation to inevitability, many articles now circulate about its potential impact, including how it might push people back to traditional office settings. Michael Novogratz recently stated, "the economy is going to collapse. We are going to go into a really fast recession." You may believe this doesn’t affect your mindset, yet here you are, reading about ways to distract yourself from these thoughts. Our addiction to negative news is hard to shake, but we can take steps to enhance our mental wellbeing—like participating in the 100 Days of Code challenge, which has gained traction on social media under the hashtag #100DaysOfCode.
Section 2.1: The Motivation Behind Challenges
I thrive on challenges; they inspire me to push my limits. They come with a defined timeline, creating a daily commitment that feels essential. Missing a day means starting over, which is why many struggle to complete them.
Currently, I’m engaged in a 365-day writing challenge, where I’m crafting an article each day. As I continue this journey, I've decided to take on several additional commitments:
- Create and post a daily reel to my @think.dino account for 365 days.
- Share 2 to 5 tweets daily for the same duration.
- Walk at least 10,000 steps each day, with an average of 21,000 last month.
- Produce a daily YouTube video starting July 1, 2022.
This may sound overwhelming, especially as I serve as the Director of IT at LifeSpan BioSciences, which has recently acquired five more biotech firms, demanding extensive IT focus. However, with careful planning, achieving these goals is possible.
Section 2.2: Strategies for Organized Productivity
Many express that there aren't enough hours in a day to accomplish everything. I often hear this sentiment.
The 100 Days of Code challenge has rekindled my interest in development. After strategizing, I've determined that starting on June 19, 2022, is feasible. My aim is to develop the features I've been postponing for my Automotive SaaS business, My Auto System. I’ve organized all necessary requirements, including creating Functional Requirement Documents and Jira tasks. Now, I just need to focus on coding.
Given my packed schedule, I’ve set a modest goal of dedicating at least 15 minutes each day to coding for the next 100 days. Ideally, this will extend to an hour, but as long as I can claim I've coded for 15 minutes, I’ll consider it a win. While having a finished application at the end of this journey is important, mastering a new programming language or framework is equally valuable. In my earlier career, I unknowingly completed a decade of coding challenges, averaging 365 days each.
Are you eager for a challenge? If the 100-day commitment feels insufficient, consider tackling daily problems on platforms like CodeWars, LeetCode, or HackerRank. The more you engage, the tougher the challenges become. Be prepared for tight deadlines. If you decide to embark on this journey, I’d love to follow your progress.
Section 2.3: Accountability and Focus
Personally, I view the 100-day challenge as a catalyst for starting new projects. I don't intend to halt my efforts after 100 days; instead, this timeframe allows me to integrate new routines into my daily life while optimizing existing ones. For accountability, you can follow my 100-day challenge updates on my Twitter account.
If I falter, I welcome your encouragement to keep me on track. The more you concentrate on your personal growth, the less you will dwell on the negativity around you. Hopefully, the recession will transform into a positive focus. With each economic downturn, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges. Keep negativity at bay and concentrate on self-improvement while others succumb to worry.
Chapter 3: The 100 Days of Code Challenge Explained
The "100 Days of Code Challenge: My Journey" video outlines an individual's experience and the benefits of committing to coding daily for a hundred days. This challenge not only enhances programming skills but also provides a sense of accomplishment during tough times.
In the "Day 11 - 100 Days of Code: Project Day! How Many Seconds in a Year" video, the creator discusses their progress and the importance of consistency in coding, demonstrating how even small daily efforts can lead to significant growth.
Dino Cajic is the Head of IT at LifeSpan BioSciences and the CEO of MyAutoSystem. With over a decade of software engineering experience and a B.S. in Computer Science, he specializes in creating enterprise-level applications and fostering knowledge through writing. Connect with him on LinkedIn, follow him on Instagram, or subscribe to his blog or Medium publication for more insights.