This is the advice I've given anyone who asks me for years now.

Build a utility to automate something you do anyway, build a website, make a simple game, or even just try to build your own clone of a utility/app/site/game you like.

Don't worry about language, frameworks, or any of that distraction. Just get something working.

You know you're on the right track when you find yourself thinking about a new feature to add or how to solve a problem when you're in the shower/going to bed/driving/etc, and can't wait to get back working on it.