[Off-Topic] What is your recommended way to...?

Yone:

This is a great question.

I will ask two questions in response and give my own thoughts. 1) Are you looking to learn new skills (as a past programmer)? or 2) do you wanting to break into coding without any prior experience?

When I meet my first computer (at 12) I was hooked and after either self teaching (from books) how to program in DEC BASIC, Pascal, Fortran and LISP (as well as a few others I dabbled with) I discovered M(UMPS) and fell in love. After just a month I knew that M was THE  programming language (and system) to make the most of my time and computer resources. Today, I use IRIS as the basis for the entire eco-system of software I create and support. But this doesn't really answer your question. My joy, excitement and love of coding comes from being able to code as fast as I can think and making the computer solve my problems. M/Cache/IRIS along with a few pieces I have acquired over the years (or created myself) allows me to do that for the many systems I create and/or support. For me, it is the instant gratification and the creatively to rapidly create new solutions that gives me the "joy" you seek. "Programming as art" is a phrase not used often these days, but to me, programming (and doing it in M technology platforms) is my "paint and canvas" for my creativity. 

If you can find what it is about software development you can get lost in doing (or to use a more trendy term "find your flow"), you will find the joy you seek. Once, you do, all you have to do is look for the resources to development your skills. You have options like on-line courses, books (I know so old school) or even co-working with a mentor.

Yeah, I know, It's not going to be a popular idea, but, forget about ObjectScript.

You can still do any projects with IRIS, but try to implement it in any different supported language. Python is the latest trend, select any project and try to implement it. Do not use Embedded Python, you will still be stuck with ObjectScript. Use DB-API for instance, probably in Django with my Django driver, or find another way.

Nodejs, I've published a few projects on it already, with my own driver as well. the latest project for the contest it's a NodeJS based application, where I added support for IRIS.

I've also had projects on Golang, and Rust languages.

InterSystems also supports Java and .Net, you may try to use the.

ObjectScript as a language is quite simple and limited, when you will use other languages, you will get wider knowledge about programming, when much stuff possible to do simpler than with ObjectScript. Applications are not only about fast access to the data, it's running the application itself too. And in some cases, it could much faster development to it with other languages than with ObjectScript.

The questions seem to imply the view from a management position:
 However, how would you recommend to people aged between 20 and 30 to start, maintain, or reboot their joy, excitement, love, or interest for coding and software development?

As I had the responsibility for a team of specialists my experience is such:

• Is there any other motivation as simple payment? If yes, the person could be raised.
• Any small success is a motivator. Especially if recognized by management.
• Curiosity is another motivator. Exploring something no one did before could be driving. My personal trigger always was. "This not possible"  It is known as the "Galilei effect": And she (earth) is moving anyhow!
• Competition within a team works but is risky if competitors are too different. The weaker one may give up if it sees o chance.
• The best of all motivators is fun. Often in a team of 2 rather equal qualified people.

HTH

Gamification is a good option, see more details: https://www.limber.io/en/gamification-to-promote-your-most-active-users/. Intersystems Community uses gamification into Global masters, and it is well done case