Embrace the “shipping day”: Lessons from Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple, famously emphasized the importance of “shipping day” — the pivotal moment when a product is delivered to the market. Jobs believed in the mantra, “Real artists ship,” underscoring that creativity and innovation are only impactful when they culminate in a tangible, deliverable result. This philosophy isn’t just for tech giants; it holds valuable lessons for every career, especially in data science.
Jobs once said, “You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.” This passion drives the commitment to deliver, to “ship” the idea out into the world. He also noted, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” However, innovation must be realized through delivery; an idea remains just an idea until it is executed and shared.
Key Lessons for a career in data science (not limited to)
1. Focus on Delivery and Results
In data science, it’s essential to move beyond exploration and model development to deliver actionable insights that drive decisions. Similarly, in any career, completing tasks and meeting deadlines showcases reliability and effectiveness, demonstrating your ability to contribute to organizational goals.
2. Embrace Iterative Improvement
Deploying models and receiving feedback is crucial for refining and improving them. Jobs’ philosophy encourages shipping even imperfect solutions to start learning and iterating. This applies to all careers — learning from experience and feedback helps in continuous improvement and growth.
3. Prioritize Time Management and Deadlines
Effective time management and meeting deadlines are critical in data science, where projects often have tight schedules. In any profession, being able to prioritize tasks and work efficiently under pressure is a key skill that enhances trust and productivity.
4. Pragmatism Over Perfectionism
Perfectionism can lead to endless delays. It’s more productive to deliver a good enough solution and improve it based on real-world feedback. This principle is valuable in any career, where completing tasks to a high standard and refining them if needed is often more beneficial than striving for perfection.
5. Value Feedback
Deploying models allows for real-world testing and feedback, which is invaluable for improving accuracy and performance. Feedback is crucial for growth in any career, helping you learn and advance by understanding areas for improvement.
6. Foster Innovation and Creativity
Delivering products and solutions on time can drive creative problem-solving and innovative thinking. In any field, the urgency of deadlines can spark creativity, leading to innovative approaches and solutions.
Weekly Shipping Day
Every career-oriented individual should adopt a weekly “shipping day” — a dedicated time to complete and deliver tasks or projects. This practice helps in:
- Building a Results-Oriented Mindset: Regularly delivering results cultivates a focus on outcomes and effectiveness.
- Encouraging Continuous Improvement: Iterative delivery and feedback foster continuous learning and improvement.
- Enhancing Productivity: Regularly meeting deadlines and managing time effectively boosts overall productivity.
By embracing the “shipping day” philosophy, we can all cultivate a culture of execution, continuous improvement, and innovation, driving both personal and organizational success.
Let’s make every week a “shipping week” and continuously strive to deliver value, learn, and grow.
What are your thoughts on incorporating a regular shipping day into your career routine? Share your experiences and tips in the comments!
