Codistiano

The midnight surge of wanting to do something great is real!

Not at the best times, however work continues!

Stop Waiting, Start Moving – The First Step Will Drag You Forward

You’re stuck. You keep overthinking, making excuses, waiting for motivation, or convincing yourself that it’s too hard to begin. That’s exactly why you’re failing. You think starting requires some grand plan, some magical surge of energy. It doesn’t. It requires one step.

Here’s the brutal truth: You don’t need motivation. You need motion. The hardest part isn’t the work itself—it’s the moment before you begin. The mind tricks you into seeing an impossible mountain when, in reality, you just need to take the first damn step. And once you do, the rest follows almost automatically.

Ever noticed how, when you force yourself to start something “just for five minutes,” you end up doing way more? That’s because movement breeds momentum. Inaction keeps you trapped. Action pulls you forward.

You think about going to the gym? Tie your shoes. You think about writing? Type the first sentence. You think about coding? Open your editor. Stop debating with yourself. Just start. Let inertia take care of the rest.

No more waiting. No more hesitation. Do it now.

Keep Grinding ⚡

Just been in one and maaan the amount of work done is 🔥

N.B. I was planning to do it in 3 days

I hear people saying that it is possible to do great work while partially focused,
But those who tasted being in Flow State will never want to be distracted again.

The journey at A2SV just got started.

I am kinda missing the era without AI, just to know how we would think of doing things.

Have any of you thought of making a startup? If yes, what type?

The Grind That Paid Off

When I first heard about A2SV, it felt like the perfect opportunity—a chance to gain quality education and sharpen my skills. But with it came a daunting realization: they have a rigorous filtering system designed to select only the best.

At that point, I had little to no experience with LeetCode or advanced problem-solving techniques. But I wasn’t ready to give up. I dove into the deep end, teaching myself the concepts step by step, solving LeetCode problems, and building the skills they were looking for.

My summer was defined by a relentless grind. Six days a week, I focused on cracking problems and pushing my limits. It wasn’t easy, but looking back, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything. It shaped my discipline, my mindset, and my abilities.

Now, after all the hard work, I’m thrilled to share some incredible news: I’ve been accepted into A2SV! 🎉

When I found out there were over 4,000 applicants, doubt crept in. I questioned if I could truly stand out among so many talented individuals. But I kept going, trusting the process. Passing the LeetCode stage, nailing the interview—it was all worth it.

This journey has taught me a valuable lesson: hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but it greatly improves your odds. Doubt will always be there, but it’s your determination that makes all the difference.

To anyone chasing a goal that feels out of reach—keep going. Your effort matters, and every step you take brings you closer to the finish line.

Here’s to the next chapter and the challenges ahead!

— @codistiano

#Day?? of #100DaysChallenge

Good Evening, everyone.

It’s been a while since I posted here. I’ve had to face a period of reflection, and I’d like to share what’s been on my mind.

The end of the year is just around the corner—8 days away—and I’ve been thinking about everything I’ve done, or rather, everything I feel I haven’t done.

At the start of the year, I was full of energy. During the summer, I pushed hard—grinding every day, chasing my goals, and working on my craft. Even when school began again, I tried to maintain the momentum. But somewhere along the way, I hit a wall.

For the past few weeks, I’ve felt burnt out. This unfamiliar feeling of exhaustion and a loss of direction has been difficult to shake. It’s left me questioning if I’ve truly made enough progress or lived up to the standards I set for myself earlier in the year.

But here’s the thing I want to remind myself—and all of you:

We’re human. Growth isn’t always a straight line. There are periods of intense focus and productivity, and there are moments where we need to step back, recharge, and process everything. The times when we feel “stuck” are often the times when we’re growing in ways we can’t yet see.

So yes, I might feel like I haven’t achieved enough, but I also know that I’ve shown up, learned, and adapted. This journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence and purpose.

With these last 8 days of the year, I want to reset. Even if I can’t change the past, I can make these final days count. I’ll focus on small wins, enjoy the process, and prepare myself for a fresh start in 2025.

To everyone reading this: if you’re also feeling burnt out, or like you haven’t done enough this year, I want you to know you’re not alone. Take a deep breath, reflect on your journey, and remind yourself that progress is still progress—no matter how small.

Let’s make these last 8 days meaningful, together.
We’ll keep grinding, but let’s also be kind to ourselves along the way.

Until next time,
Stay focused and stay hopeful.

— @codistiano

#Day79 of #100DaysChallenge

One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned from creating my portfolio is a concept that has reshaped how I approach tasks: "The amount of time you allot for a task is the exact amount of time it takes to complete."

This idea, known as Parkinson's Law, explains how work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

When I initially planned to create my portfolio, my thoughts were scattered:

“It would be nice to have it ready for recruiters.”
“What kind of design would really stand out?”
“Let me search for some inspiration first.”

That’s when I fell into a common trap: The Paradox of Choice . Scrolling endlessly through inspiration, I found myself overwhelmed by options and unable to take the first step. Eventually, I shelved the idea, moving on to other tasks.

But this time, a friend of mine intervened, cleverly using my tendencies to my advantage. They told me they urgently needed my portfolio to be ready within a day. Without overthinking, I jumped in—and to my surprise, completed it in less than 1.5 days. That’s when they revealed it wasn’t for them, but for me—to push me into action and have something ready for opportunities that might come my way.

What I Learned
Here’s the message I want to convey:

1. Understand your work behaviors.
Reflect on your tendencies and habits. Ask yourself:

- Can this task realistically be completed in less time than I’ve planned?
- Am I genuinely busy, or just procrastinating?
- What triggers my procrastination?

2. Set artificial deadlines.
Whether for assignments, projects, or any task with a long timeline, create a deadline that feels uncomfortably short. For example:

A task with a one-week deadline? Complete it in three days.

Initially, these deadlines might feel unrealistic, but over time, they’ll train you to be more focused, time-efficient, and productive. You’ll discover how much you can achieve when you control your time with intent.

Now it’s time to level up. Every deadline is an opportunity to grow.

Keep Grinding

@codistiano

#Day78 of #100DaysChallenge
🌤 Good Morning

Last night was tough, but I pushed through, and here’s the highlight:

🎉 Guess what?
I completed my Portfolio!
It’s heavily inspired by the amazing Brittany Chiang's Portfolio 👩‍💻.

✨ Here’s mine: codistiano.github.io/portfolio
Feel free to check it out and drop your feedback! 📝

📚 Meanwhile:
Finals are creeping closer—just a couple of weeks left. Deadlines are piling up, and these days will truly be the grind days for me.

I’ll keep you posted on every step!

💪 Until next time,
⚡️ Keep Grinding ⚡️

@codistiano