After seven years of coding, four of which felt like treading water, I finally launched my first commercial SaaS product. This journey has been a masterclass in what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t. Learning to code and building something from scratch is hard, but it doesn’t have to be a decade-long struggle. Here are 20 pieces of advice I wish I’d heard when I first started, with a focus on building apps.
The Mindset Shift
- Your idea is worthless; execution is everything. I wasted years searching for a “perfect” idea. The truth is, a good idea is one that’s already been done—it proves a market exists. The value isn’t in the idea itself but in how you build it.
- Start now. Stop waiting for the “right time” or “motivation.” The biggest mistake I made was learning on and off for years without building anything real. The moment you finish this, go and code.
- No zero days. This is the single most important habit I’ve adopted. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, code every single day. Missing one day makes it easy to miss two, and soon you’ve lost all momentum.
- Know your goal. Programming is a massive field. Are you trying to get a job? Build games? Launch a product? Define your goal, and let it guide what you learn.
- Your language doesn’t matter. Don’t get caught up in endless debates about which language is best. Pick one and stick with it. My choice was Next.js and Go because I liked them, and now I’m faster because I’m not constantly switching.
Learning and Building Smart
- Use tutorials sparingly. I was trapped in “tutorial hell” for years, watching countless videos without retaining the information. Use tutorials for a crash course on syntax, then immediately jump into building your own project.
- Avoid AI, especially at first. This might be a hot take, but relying on AI to write code when you don’t know the fundamentals is a recipe for disaster. It can create an “AI hell” where you have a complex, buggy codebase you don’t understand. Learn the hard way first; then, use AI to be more productive.
- Project-based learning is the best method. Instead of following a rigid curriculum, find a project you want to build and learn what you need as you go. This is how I finally learned Unreal Engine.
- Focus on solving problems. The best project ideas come from solving a problem you’ve personally experienced. My SaaS idea came from a pain point I had with tracking my content.
- Create building blocks. Design your code to be modular and reusable. By creating a template with boilerplate code like authentication and billing, I saved countless hours when I started my main project.
The Art of Shipping
- Have a proper project management workflow. Whether it’s Linear, Trello, or just a Notion page, have a single source of truth for all your features, bugs, and ideas. It keeps you focused and helps you see your progress.
- Avoid scope creep. The single biggest reason projects fail to launch is adding too many features. Define your MVP (Minimum Viable Product)—the simplest, most useful version—and stick to it.
- Actually ship something. In eight years, I only ever shipped two things. The confidence and learning that come from launching a real product are invaluable. Make your scope small enough that you can finish it.
- Give yourself deadlines. An arbitrary deadline can be a massive productivity booster. I decided to launch my beta in one week, and that forced me to focus and get it done.
- Know when to cut your losses. If you’re stuck on a feature that’s too difficult or not critical, don’t be afraid to set it aside. A quick win can get your momentum back.
- Don’t be a perfectionist. Trying to perfect the UI with subtle animations and every keyboard shortcut before launch will only slow you down. The goal is to see if anyone cares about what you’ve built.
- Use version control (Git). Even when working alone, using a proper Git workflow helps you stay organized, focused on one task at a time, and makes it easy to revert changes if something breaks.
Long-Term Success
- Make marketing a priority. The idea of “if you build it, they will come” is a myth. You have to actively tell people about your product. This applies to side projects and your portfolio for potential employers.
- Keep track of your progress. It’s easy to feel like you’re not making any progress on a big project. Keep a work log or simply take a step back and appreciate how far you’ve come to stay motivated.
- Play the long game. This is the most crucial piece of advice. True skill comes from taking your time and understanding the technology. The shortcuts you take now will only slow you down later. Build a solid foundation, and the speed will come naturally.
If you’re ready to start your journey, pick one of these tips and apply it today. The best time to start was years ago; the second best time is now.