In machine learning, initialization sets the starting point for a journey. Weights are initialized from a random distribution, while biases are initialized to zeros or small random values. These initial conditions determine the likelihood of...

Younger me wanted to fast-forward to the next Good Part, the next milestone. I was too immersed in the busywork of living to realize the stuff in between is the Good Part. All those diversions and winding roads were the story.

Want to become an interesting person? Turn off your phone. Tune into your body. Get out of your head. Get into your hips. Get new shoes. Get outside. Get in shape. Get an edge. Meet your heroes. Fix your posture. Face your fears.

I lived in New York City for my first job out of school. At the time, New York was a no-brainer: I worked in finance, was ready to grind, hungry to build a career, and half my graduating class seemed to be doing the same.

Early in my career, I wish I had spoken up more. There was nothing more disappointing than thinking “I had that data point!” or “I could’ve answered that!” or challenged an opinion and gotten us to a richer discussion.

Finance is an industry where you’re perpetually proving yourself: win lead left, beat out other bidders, get the highest valuation for your clients, close the deal. My first day on a live deal, hundreds of emails poured in every hour.