When I was younger, my music instructor shared a piece of advice that has stuck with me:
“You need to learn to sing. Otherwise, you’ll always depend on someone else to bring your musical ideas to life.”
His point was clear: self-reliance is key. If you have ideas, whether for songs, businesses, or digital tools, possessing fundamental skills allows you to shape them into reality.
In today’s world, I often hear from aspiring entrepreneurs and creators, “I have a great concept for an app or website, but I’m not technical. I need to find a programmer to build it for me.”
While connecting with skilled developers is valuable, depending solely on others can be limiting and costly. Imagine saying, “I have an amazing song idea, but I’m not musical, so I need someone else to write, perform, and record it for me.” Most would suggest learning a basic instrument to express your musical ideas yourself.
Learning to program is similar to learning to drive a car or cook a meal. You don’t need to become a professional chef or race car driver, but you need enough skill to be self-sufficient and not feel helpless when you have an idea.
Therefore, yes, you should absolutely learn some programming. Starting with basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript provides a solid foundation.
For beginners, I highly recommend “Head First HTML and CSS” and then “Head First HTML5 Programming.” These books are engaging and visually rich, making complex concepts easier to grasp. The detailed illustrations are essential, so opt for the physical book or PDF version.
If you prefer a structured course with community support, Free Code Camp is an excellent online resource. Ideally, using these books alongside a platform like Free Code Camp can reinforce your learning through different methods and practical application.
Dedicate a few weeks to these resources, and you’ll likely possess more web development knowledge than many who identify as web developers.
This learning journey is incredibly rewarding. The initial mystery of the digital world fades away. You’ll start to see websites and applications with a new understanding, recognizing the underlying code. Most importantly, you’ll realize you can build these things yourself. This newfound ability is truly empowering and has been one of the most valuable skills I’ve ever acquired.
For inspiration, consider Jennifer Dewalt, who learned to code by undertaking the ambitious project of building 180 websites in 180 days, starting with no prior experience. Her journey is a testament to what focused learning and dedication can achieve.
Taking the first step to learn programming opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to bring your digital ideas to life and navigate the tech-driven landscape with confidence and independence.
