I’m Embarking on a Personal Development Journey

Summary

A senior data scientist is embarking on a personal development journey and plans to document and share their experiences, learnings, and insights to inspire others and track their own progress.

Abstract

The author, a senior data scientist, acknowledges a past mistake of not sharing their learning journey until several years in. Recognizing the value of transparency in personal growth, they have decided to publicly chronicle a new phase of self-improvement from the outset. This journey will focus on monthly self-improvement goals, informed by books and research, with a commitment to practice and reflection. The author believes that sharing one's journey can be mutually beneficial, providing a record of progress for themselves and inspiration for others. They invite readers to join their email list for more exclusive updates and promise to cover all experiments and improvements in their upcoming articles.

Opinions

The author regrets not sharing their initial struggles and learning process in data science earlier, realizing that it could have been beneficial for others and themselves.
Despite initial fears of being seen as a beginner or providing unworthy content, the author found that sharing their knowledge significantly improved their skills and helped their audience.
The author emphasizes the importance of starting from scratch and being open about the learning process, advocating for beginners in data science to share their knowledge regardless of their level of expertise.
They believe in the power of personal development and consider it a lifestyle change that complements their ongoing data science journey.
The author is motivated by the belief that one can indeed become a better version of themselves, supported by tangible benefits they have already experienced.
They plan to apply well-researched techniques and concepts from books, emphasizing the importance of reading and continuous learning.
The author values the act of sharing experiences as a means of reflection and inspiration for others, while also acknowledging the necessity of giving changes time to take effect.
They are committed to a slow and steady approach, with a focus on reflecting upon improvements over time.

You can tell, I’m excited. Are you coming?

I made a mistake. I’m going to fix it.

You probably already know me as a senior data scientist and a mentor. I have been sharing learning and experiences from my data science journey. The mistake? I started sharing only when I was 3 years into it.

You don’t see the mistakes I made. You never saw the hours I put in. You see a finished product: a senior data scientist. Wouldn’t it have been better if you saw it from the beginning?

But, in my defense, I was scared. What if people don’t find my learnings worth it? What if they figure out I’m a beginner? Who am I to write about this algorithm? I can’t write about it as if I created it. I’d ask so many questions and give in to my fears.

Eventually, I started sharing. I hit publish but told nobody about it. Somehow it was featured on newsletters, and people noticed. I improved significantly, and my readers benefitted too. Based on my experience, now I encourage every beginner learning data science to share whatever little they know.

Practice What You Preach: In Action

I’m heading on a personal development journey, and I want to share the journey with you from the beginning. I am striving to become a better version of myself. Sounds crazy? And cliche?

Sorry, but I have already seen tangible benefits good enough to convince me one really can become a better version of themselves. I know I’m a beginner, and I’ll make mistakes.

As Nelson Mandela famously stated:

“I never lose. I either I win or learn.”

I still have a lot of fears, but let’s face them. The benefits, as I see, are twofold:

It serves as a document for me to later look back on how far I’ve come.

It can inspire you to become a better version of yourself because I was inspired when others did.

If it’s not clear, the data science journey remains my priority. Personal development isn’t a one-off action; it’s a lifestyle change and is necessarily a process. I think these will go hand in hand for anyone.

Here’s what I told myself:

Every month, pick one aspect to improve upon.

Treat books as the primary source of truth. Rely on well-researched techniques, concepts from books. Read more to improve understanding of the aspect.

Put them to practice. More importantly, give it time.

Share your experience, learnings, and insights.

Take it slow. Reflect upon previous months’ improvements.

I’m Embarking on a Personal Development Journey

You can tell, I’m excited. Are you coming?

Practice What You Preach: In Action

Here’s what I told myself:

The Journey From Scratch

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