How to Stay Motivated When Learning Tech Skills Feels Hard

Day 23 of the 30 days share something challenge (sharing this during my lunch break this time for a change).

Yes I missed day 21 and day 22. My excuse is I was sick over the weekend and couldn’t find the get up and go to pull together anything meaningful to share.? However, it gave me a lot of time to think and reflect on the past week.

So today I want to share something I relearned last week about new people in tech and how to navigate when learning tech skills feels hard.

Last week kicked off a coding bootcamp training programme I've been organising for the last couple of months for new recruits who joined earlier this month, and it's been great to see it all come together, albeit plan A was shot to sh*t due to circumstances out of my control.?

What I learned first is no matter how much planning you do for an initiative, something is likely to crop up out of the blue that will blow that plan apart, and you have to adapt quickly.? There is no quitting allowed when you have a large group of new people relying on you, so you have to find a way to push through and the show must go on.

This is the 3rd year I’ve organised this coding bootcamp programme, yet I've never had time to experience much of it myself. This year I've decided to sit in as many of the sessions as I can and try and follow along with the content and activities in between attending meetings and multitasking on some other work. Haha best laid plans.?

It was great to relearn a bit of JavaScript last week alongside everyone, because as a manager of software developers you don’t really get a chance to code on a regular basis anymore, if at all.? There just isn’t enough time in the day to fit everything in.?

JavaScript is not my go to language, and in the past there was always a love hate relationship between Java Script developers and Java developers (both are definitely not the same lol).

Last week the programme was focused on Introduction to HTML/CSS/JavaScript (with the majority of the sessions heavily focused on JavaScript) and it was great to see the volunteer tutors deliver their engaging content, and see the new recruits take on the challenge of refreshing their knowledge, or for some of them, learning JavaScript from scratch.??

Arriving at the end of the first week of the programme it was good to reflect and take a few lessons from the week.?

The first for me was acknowledging that everyone has different learning styles and I was so glad to see a mix of theory and practical activities mixed in for them.

Also everyone has a different learning pace and some will pick up things quicker than others and that's ok.? It's good to leave plenty of time for everyone to have a go at the tasks (have some stretch tasks for those that fly through the content), and come together and discuss the different ways they went about approaching a challenge and walk through code solutions people came up with as a group.

It's also apparent everyone has different levels of confidence in their abilities, and some may find something really hard. It’s good to be aware that some people in the group will feel confident enough to be vocal about it, and some just really won't.? You may ask everyone how they are feeling during the session, and you’re likely to get an “I’m fine”, but 9 times out of 10 they are not feeling fine at all.

Even I had trouble with getting one of my JavaScript functions to work with the stubborness in me looking at it for ages. It was simply identified when I finally swallowed my pride and asked the tutor to have a look, giving it a fresh pair of eyes on the problem.

The “I’m fine” when not really fine can be for a number of reasons:

• Lacking confidence in speaking up
• Lack of self belief in their own abilities
• Embarrassed to admit they are struggling in front of the large group when everyone else “seems” to be keeping up with it.
• Not wanting to hold up the rest of the group
• Distracted by other things

Does any of this sound like you??

I’m mindful not everyone will get the opportunity to learn through a dedicated coding bootcamp with dedicated tutors like the bootcamp I have organised, and some may find it harder because of that (depends on your learning style I guess).? But let’s be real: learning tech skills can be bloody hard.?

There are days when the code just doesn’t work, when debugging feels like a never-ending rabbit hole, and when you wonder if you’ll ever fully “get it.” If you’ve ever felt this way, know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there too— so have many of the amazing women I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and coaching in their tech journeys.

The truth is, breaking into tech often comes with moments of frustration and doubt. But it’s how you deal with those moments that will define your progress and, ultimately, your success. Here’s how I’ve managed to stay motivated when learning new tech skills feels overwhelming, and some strategies I’ve seen work for others.

Remember Your "Why"

When I first started learning to code, I had days where I questioned whether I was cut out for it. It wasn’t that I wasn’t capable—it was the sheer complexity and the steep learning curve that made me doubt myself. But one thing that kept me going was constantly reminding myself why I started. I knew I wanted to solve real-world problems using technology, and I was excited about the endless possibilities tech could open for me.

Take a moment to think about your “why.” Maybe it’s about switching to a career that gives you flexibility, or maybe it’s about being a role model for other women. Maybe it’s financial independence, or perhaps it’s simply the love of solving problems. Whatever it is, keep that reason front and centre. Write it down, hang it up somewhere you can see it every day. When the learning gets tough, let that be your motivation to keep pushing forward.

Celebrate the Small Wins

When you’re learning tech skills, especially coding, it can feel like the journey is full of setbacks. I’ve spent countless hours debugging code that had just one wrong line buried deep in the middle. But do you know what feels incredible? That moment when the code finally runs, or when you finally understand a concept that was confusing for days.

Too often, we focus on the long-term goal, becoming proficient, landing that job, or mastering a new language. While those goals are important, it’s just as critical to celebrate the small wins along the way.?

Did you finally understand how APIs work? Celebrate that. Did you build your first webpage? That’s huge—celebrate it! Progress isn’t just about completing the journey—it’s about every little milestone you achieve along the way.

When I started learning Java many years ago, it felt like a completely different world from the languages I was familiar with. But instead of getting overwhelmed, I broke my learning into small chunks. Each time I got a function to work or understood a new concept, I celebrated those small wins—and that built the momentum to keep going.

Find Your Community

One of the hardest parts of learning tech, especially if you’re doing it on your own, is the feeling of isolation. I remember struggling alone with coding problems for hours because I felt like I had to figure everything out by myself. But once I joined a women in tech group, everything changed. I had a network of other women who were learning alongside me, facing the same struggles, and sharing their wins and frustrations.

Having a supportive community is a game-changer. Whether it’s through an online forum, a local meetup group, or a coding bootcamp, having people around who understand your journey can provide both accountability and encouragement. When you’re stuck, there’s nothing more reassuring than hearing, “Hey, I struggled with that too, but here’s what helped me.” Your community can remind you that you're not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help.

4. Embrace the Struggle as Part of the Process

Here’s the thing: tech is challenging, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. When I first started learning Android, I couldn’t get past the idea that I was “failing” every time I encountered a bug or didn’t understand a concept right away. But over time, I realised that struggling is part of the learning process. Every time you hit a roadblock, you’re stretching your brain and building resilience.

Instead of seeing challenges as a sign that you’re not cut out for tech, see them as proof that you’re growing. Every tech professional I know, no matter how experienced, still encounters challenges daily. The difference is that they’ve learned to see those challenges as opportunities for growth, not as reasons to quit. The more you embrace the struggle, the stronger you’ll become, and the easier it will be to push through the tough moments.

5. Break Learning into Manageable Chunks

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re trying to learn an entire tech stack or master a new skill all at once. I’ve been there.? Looking at an overwhelming amount of material and wondering where to even begin. But the trick is to break your learning into small, manageable chunks.

Set tiny, achievable goals for each study session. Maybe it’s just mastering a small coding concept or completing a short tutorial. When I was learning how to work with APIs, I focused on just one function a day. how to make GET requests, how to process responses, and then how to integrate that with a front-end. Bit by bit, it started to click.

By breaking things down into smaller, more digestible pieces, you can avoid burnout and feel a sense of accomplishment every time you complete a mini-goal.

6. Remind Yourself That It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

It’s easy to look at others in tech and feel like they’re miles ahead of you. Social media doesn’t help, with people sharing their success stories or announcing the jobs they just landed. But remember: everyone’s journey is different. What you don’t see are the late nights, the moments of doubt, and the failures they’ve overcome.

Learning tech skills is a marathon, not a sprint. Some days will feel easy, and others will be hard, but every step you take brings you closer to your goal. Don’t rush yourself or compare your progress to others. You’re exactly where you need to be.

Final Thoughts

Tech isn’t just about hard skills.? It’s about persistence, problem-solving, and growth. Learning new tech skills will challenge you, no doubt. But it will also give you the tools and confidence to build something amazing, create a new career path, or make an impact in the world.

So when learning feels hard, don’t give up. Take a break, and look at it with fresh eyes.? If you have the support, speak up and ask for help.?

Keep reminding yourself why you started, celebrate those small victories, and surround yourself with a community that lifts you up. You’ve got this! and the tech industry is waiting for women like you to make your mark.

More power to you!