Moving Fast, Shipping Products, and the Realities of Life

The allure of shipping a product quickly is intoxicating. The tech world glorifies speed and innovation, the thrill of pushing a prototype out into the wild and watching it take flight. But what happens when you're trying to sprint in a marathon, juggling a full-time job, the responsibilities of parenting, and the never-ending stresses of everyday life? The dream of being a high-speed, high-output engineer starts to feel like a distant star, always visible but frustratingly out of reach.

As someone who has always thrived on creation and innovation, I often find myself grappling with the question: how do we, with our multitude of responsibilities, compete with the seemingly unencumbered younger engineers? They appear to have endless time and energy, unburdened by the chains of life's practicalities. It's easy to romanticise their freedom and feel an undercurrent of doubt about our own capacities. But the reality is, moving forward isn't about competing with them—it's about competing with ourselves.

Life doesn't pause for your passion projects. There's the steady rhythm of the day job, the demands of family life, and the unexpected hiccups like moving house or dealing with everyday stressors. Each of these elements demands attention, leaving us to navigate a delicate balance. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, watching the hours slip away while the to-do list grows longer.

Parenting, in particular, is a realm where time seems to evaporate. The joy and chaos of raising children, the school runs, the bedtime stories, the endless questions—all these beautiful moments also fragment your focus. The day ends, and the energy to dive into a project can be elusive. Add the complexities of maintaining a household, the unplanned emergencies, and the routine grind, and it feels like you're perpetually treading water, far from the shores of your creative ambitions.

Then there are the younger engineers. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, they seem to be sprinting ahead, their social media feeds a highlight reel of hackathons, late-night coding sessions, and rapid releases. It's easy to slip into a mindset of comparison, feeling like the tortoise in a race full of hares. Their apparent lack of major life responsibilities gives them a perceived edge, a freedom to dedicate their waking hours solely to their craft.

But this perception is a double-edged sword. While it's true that fewer responsibilities can mean more time to focus, it doesn't necessarily equate to better quality or more impactful work. Experience, wisdom, and a depth of understanding often come from the very life events that seem to slow us down. Our diverse experiences shape our perspectives, making our creations richer and more nuanced.

Always moving forward

So, how do we keep moving forward amidst the chaos? The answer lies in consistency and embracing the journey, regardless of the pace. Progress isn't always about grand leaps; often, it's about the small, steady steps that add up over time. Even on the days when all you manage to do is think about your project, that's still progress.

On productive days, you might find yourself deep in the zone, coding with a flow that seems unstoppable. Cherish those moments, but don't undervalue the slower days. Those days when you're mentally sketching ideas, pondering solutions while washing dishes, or stealing a few minutes to jot down notes while the kids play. It's all part of the process.

Consistency is key. It's about showing up regularly, even if only for a short period. It's about making the effort to touch your project every day, keeping it alive in your mind and slowly chipping away at it. The cumulative effect of these consistent efforts can be astonishing. Over time, you'll find that those small steps have transformed into significant strides.

Embracing the process

The journey of creation is filled with highs and lows, bursts of productivity interspersed with inevitable lulls. The key is to embrace the process, to find joy in the act of creating, regardless of the speed at which you move. Remember why you started—it's about the thrill of turning "what if" into "what is," the joy of building something from nothing.

Life's responsibilities will always be there, but they don't have to be barriers. They can be catalysts for creativity, forcing you to think more strategically, to find innovative solutions within constraints. The act of balancing multiple roles can make you a more resilient and versatile creator.

Success isn't about matching the pace of others; it's about achieving your personal milestones, no matter how long it takes. It's about the satisfaction of knowing you're moving forward, however slowly, and staying true to your vision. Every step, no matter how small, is progress.

The younger engineers may have their moment in the spotlight, but they are on their own paths. Our journeys are different, and that's what makes our contributions unique. Our experiences, challenges, and the way we navigate them shape the products we create. The depth and richness of our lives bring a unique perspective to our work.

"In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm... in the real world all rests on perseverance." – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Moving forward, no matter the speed, is what matters. The daily grind, the small victories, the incremental progress—they all contribute to the final masterpiece. Even on the days when life seems to overwhelm, taking a moment to think about your project, to plan the next step, keeps the momentum alive.

So, whether you're coding at midnight after the kids are asleep, or stealing a few moments between meetings, remember that every step counts. Keep moving forward, stay consistent, and relish the act of creation.

In the end, it's the consistent effort that wins the race.