How to Stay Motivated When Preparing a Cloud Certification?

Preparing a cloud certification is often a solo journey. After passing 20+ certs, here’s what I’ve learned to stay motivated along the way:

1. Start with your WHY

Why do you really want this certification?

➡️ A new job opportunity?

➡️ Building new skills?

➡️ Personal challenge?

If your only reason is “because my colleague just passed it,” you’ll probably lose steam quickly.

A strong WHY is what will keep you moving when motivation dips.

2. Set a clear deadline

Saying “I’ll pass this exam this year” is too vague. I’ve seen people repeat it for 3 years in a row.

Instead, be specific: “I’ll pass this exam within 3 months — before November 30.”

Personally, I love buying exam vouchers that expire soon. It forces me to stay disciplined.

3. Choose the right resources

Sometimes it’s not you—it’s the material you’re using. There are tons of courses out there, but the key is to pick the right ones. A well-structured, hands-on course makes it much easier to stay consistent.

🎯 My advice: stick to 2–3 solid resources max. More than that, and you’ll just lose focus.

Now your turn — what are your strategies to stay motivated when preparing a cloud certification?