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The magic formula for learning to code

October 11, 2016

It can be daunting finding the motivation to start something big.

Something big like learning to code! Or passing that certification. Or learning how to play guitar.

When in fear, I always remember the magic formula. This formula has gotten me through even my most fearsome moments. You never want to be in a position frozen by fear. Here it is:

1.01 365 = 37.8
0.99 365 = 0.03

Increase your knowledge by just 1% every day, and in one year you’ll be 38X smarter. Amazing!
And yes I double-checked the math already!

Who knew 1% could do so much! Surely, each of us can commit just 5 minutes each day to learning!

Code on!
David

19 Comments
Tiago
May 29, 2020 @ 10:28 am

How is this calculation done? it wouldn’t be 24 minutes

Reply
Jim DeLong (@jimdelong)
January 5, 2017 @ 9:01 am

Would second formula be 1.0099^365 ?

Reply
Arise Johns
October 28, 2016 @ 2:54 am

This small calculation make a huge impact on the audience. Latest technologies are emerging in the global market everyday. People has to upgrade their knowledge on the regular basis for good career.

Reply
Hieu Truong
October 21, 2016 @ 2:13 pm

Trying to live up to that since I saw your presentation at DF16!

Reply
Sagar Gohokar
October 14, 2016 @ 11:00 pm

Hello David,
I recently started following you & found your guidance very useful every time I read it.
Just need some specific inputs – I am working as Business Analyst (6yrs exp) & based on information I have found on other websites (like Quora), the career path is somewhat technical in Salesforce (I may be completely wrong on this :) ) & I will have to get my hands dirty by doing coding. Just want to know whether I should choose this path of Salesforce if I look at a long term career scenario as I am planning to become Salesforce Consultant / Business Analyst.

Thanks in advance.

Reply
    David Liu
    October 16, 2016 @ 6:24 pm

    You don’t have to code to be successful in Salesforce =) It definitely is more lucrative though!

    Reply
Swayam Chouksey
October 14, 2016 @ 2:42 pm

Nice One David !! :) :)

Reply
Shikha Raheja
October 13, 2016 @ 7:05 am

Thank you for this post. A little effort everyday makes a huge difference indeed. The key is consistency throughout.

Reply
Pj
October 12, 2016 @ 9:39 am

I was told that there is no need to be a math wiz to code !!

Reply
    David Liu
    October 12, 2016 @ 6:11 pm

    LOL!

    Reply
Holly Thompson
October 12, 2016 @ 9:24 am

Love the formula! I’m going to post this for myself at work and at home as it is relevant for more than just SalesForce.

I did an excel spreadsheet on how I currently spend my waking hours and saw I could easily carve out 1% increments of time in my waking day for SalesForce AND for other things I’ve been meaning to do. Thanks, David!

–Holly Thompson

Reply
Samuel De Rycke (@SamuelDeRycke)
October 12, 2016 @ 8:45 am

That doesn’t look very mathematical. If you actually manage to learn +1% every day you’ll need more and more time daily to learn an additional 1%. Today’s 101% would be tomorrow’s 100% right ?

Reply
    David Liu
    October 12, 2016 @ 6:11 pm

    LOL! The math checks out – whether someone personally can keep up 100% is a different story. The moral is just do a little more each day and you’ll be surprised at what you can do!

    Reply
Nithu
October 12, 2016 @ 7:43 am

Your words are always encourage to learn .I just started coding 2 days back.spending more than 1 hr a day.

Reply
Jose Claramunt
October 12, 2016 @ 5:55 am

Your on fire David!

Reply
    Jose Claramunt
    October 12, 2016 @ 5:56 am

    I meant “you’re” LoL :P

    Reply
Chad
October 12, 2016 @ 5:50 am

Thanks David! I always feel that I must comment 1 hour a day to learn coding. while 1 hour many not sound like a lot of time, for busy folks it is! not saying I will commit 5 minutes everyday but by giving myself 5 minutes as a minimum, I can guarantee myself to learning something daily.

Reply
    David Liu
    October 12, 2016 @ 6:11 pm

    Right on!!

    Reply
Ashwin
October 11, 2016 @ 11:20 pm

Very effective technique that give 5 min a day and I am following you.

Reply

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