By RG team · 7 min read

Last Updated on May 18, 2023

The Benefits of Creating a Forcing Function to Achieve Your Goals

As an aspiring software engineer or someone with a non-technical background interested in coding, you may have faced challenges in staying motivated and accountable during your learning journey. It can be difficult to find the discipline to stick to a regular schedule of studying and practice, especially if you are working at the same time or have other commitments.

The good news is that there is a solution to this problem: creating a forcing function. A forcing function is a powerful tool that can help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals. In this article, we will discuss what a forcing function is, why it is effective, and how you can create one for yourself as you pursue your dream of becoming a software engineer. By the end of this article, you will understand the importance of creating a forcing function for yourself and be motivated to take the necessary steps to achieve your goals.

Struggles with Self-Studying

If you're like many aspiring software engineers, you've probably tried to teach yourself to code using online resources like YouTube tutorials or coding websites. But this approach can be challenging, especially without a formal background in computer science. You may have found it hard to stay consistent with your self-study curriculum or to bridge the gap between your non-technical background and the coding world. This is where a forcing function can be incredibly helpful.

One of the biggest struggles with self-studying is accountability. It can be tempting to put off studying until tomorrow, but tomorrow turns into the next day and then the next. Before you know it, weeks or even months may have passed without any progress. A forcing function tackles this problem head-on by creating a sense of urgency. When you have some skin in the game, you're more likely to stick to your goals and commit to the hard work necessary to achieve them.

Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to make self-studying more effective. One is to set manageable goals for yourself and then track your progress towards them. For example, you might aim to complete a specific coding challenge each week, or to spend at least an hour each day practicing coding skills. By tracking your progress, you can motivate yourself to keep going and see just how much you've learned.

Another strategy is to find a community of like-minded learners who can support and encourage you in your efforts. You might join an online forum or a coding group in your area. Having a community can help you stay motivated and provide you with valuable resources and insights.

However, even with these strategies, self-studying can still be a challenge, and it's important to recognize when you need more structured support. This is where a coding bootcamp or further education can be a great investment, and the next section of this article will explore this idea in more depth.

Going All In

While self-studying can be a great way to get started on your coding journey, it's important to recognize when you need more structured support. This was the case for me; as someone with a non-technical background, I found it difficult to make consistent progress on my own. It wasn't until I decided to take a drastic step that I was able to start making real progress towards my goal of becoming a software engineer.

For me, that drastic step was enrolling in a full stack coding bootcamp. I knew that I needed a more structured environment if I was going to learn the skills I needed to succeed as a software engineer. Of course, this was no easy decision; bootcamps can be expensive and require a significant time commitment. But I was committed to my goal and willing to make the investment required.

The bootcamp itself was a challenge, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I was able to learn a great deal about coding fundamentals, web development, and project management. And more importantly, I was able to immerse myself in a community of learners who were all working towards the same goal. This made me feel less alone in my journey and more motivated to succeed.

Of course, a bootcamp isn't the right choice for everyone. But the lesson here is that sometimes you need to take a big step to create a forcing function for yourself. By investing in an immersive and structured program like a bootcamp, you can give yourself the discipline and motivation you need to succeed. In the next section, we'll explore this idea even further, discussing how a more significant investment can lead to even greater success.

The Value of a Forcing Function

Sometimes, self-study or even a coding bootcamp might not be enough to achieve your goals. Especially if you have the goal to work for top tech companies or to launch your own tech start-up, a more significant investment in your education may be necessary. This investment could be in the form of a formal degree in computer science or a specialized program in software engineering. When you make this type of investment, you're creating a forcing function for yourself that can help push you towards your goals.

For me, this meant pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science from Fordham University. I was apprehensive about the cost at first, but I knew it was the best way to keep myself accountable and ensure that I would stick to my goals. The Master's program covered a wide range of computer science topics, from algorithms and data structures to artificial intelligence and robotics.

Having started my journey with a coding bootcamp, I found that the Master's program built on my existing knowledge and pushed me to think about software engineering in a more theoretical and formal way. The program also gave me the opportunity to work on research projects with other students and faculty members, which helped me develop stronger analytical and teamwork skills.

Of course, obtaining a Master's degree is a significant investment in both time and money, and it may not be the best choice for everyone. But whether it's pursuing a Master's degree or investing in a specialized program, the key is to create a forcing function that will keep you accountable and motivated as you work towards your goals.

In general, investing in a forcing function can be expensive, but it can also be incredibly valuable. Not only will it give you a sense of accountability that will help you stay motivated, but it will also give you a valuable credential that can help you stand out when you're applying for jobs or launching your own start-up.

The Payoff

Investing in a forcing function isn't easy, but it is worth it. By creating a sense of urgency and accountability, you can push yourself to achieve your goals and become a more well-rounded and valuable software engineer. You'll have a valuable credential that can help you stand out when you're applying for jobs or launching your own start-up.

But beyond these external rewards, investing in a forcing function can also help you grow as a person. By committing to a rigorous bootcamp or degree program, you'll have to learn how to balance your time, get comfortable with failure, and work through difficult problems. These skills will serve you well in not just your career, but in every area of your life.

Conclusion

Creating a forcing function can be incredibly valuable as you pursue your dreams of becoming a software engineer. Whether it's investing in an expensive education, signing up for a coding bootcamp, or taking whatever actions necessary to keep yourself accountable, forcing functions can be the key to success. It takes courage to take that first step, but the payoff is worth it. If you have a passion for something, go for it, and don't let yourself get in the way of achieving your dreams.