Ever have one of those weeks where it feels like your best-laid plans get tossed out the window? Sometimes life reminds you exactly where your priorities are. Or where they have to be.
I’m not sure if I’ve said it on my blog before, but I’m a full-time employee, father, college student, husband, and amateur content creator. My weekly schedule is tightly packed.
Tuesday was supposed to be my deep learning day. Instead, my disabled wife had two appointments in two different cities, and my daughter had one that afternoon. By the time I cooked dinner and sat down at my desk after being on the road or in an office most of the day, it was 6:00 pm.
I knew I couldn’t power through the seven-hour Photoshop learning path I chose last week just to say I’d done it.
I’m not interested in posturing certifications. I want to actually learn.
That’s when I realized something bigger needed my focus this week. Clarity.
I’ve spent the last few posts taking a shotgun approach to AI, collecting definitions, tools, and ideas like a crow hoarding shiny objects. But being a jack of all trades won’t change my family’s life the way I want it to.
So, I sat down with ChatGPT and built a road map. I made a decision, planted my flag, and said, ‘This is it. I’m going to master THIS aspect of AI.’
Now, I’m going to show you all the plan so you can follow along or walk the path with me.
AI Tools and Courses I Tried This Week
Like I said, I didn’t get to explore much this week. I finished “Generative AI Imaging” by Ben Long on LinkedIn Learning. It was solid, but nothing groundbreaking compared to what I’ve learned hands-on so far. But that was the only part of the learning path I was able to get to.
In my last post, I said that my plan was to knock out the entire Essential Skills in Generative AI for Creatives by Adobe learning path. Life happens though and I was only able to do the first new (to me) module.
Instead, I spent my mental energy thinking about how to structure my learning and goals into clear roles and phases.
What do I want to do? What’s most important to me?
Most importantly, what do I think is the coolest thing that AI is doing right now and how do I master it?
Some weeks are about learning tools. This one was about stepping back to figure out where I’m actually going. Like drawing back on a loaded slingshot.
Mapping My AI Learning Curve
The last few months have been about building my foundational core. I’ve explored definitions, tools, prompting techniques, and ethical questions to understand what AI really is and where it’s heading.
Now it’s time to build on that foundation with a clear direction. The coolest thing I think AI is doing right now?
Content creation and automation. That’s where all of this ties directly into my passions, my interests, and the degree I’m earning at Full Sail University. If I can master these workflows, I can change everything about my life.
My North Star Goal – Where I Want My AI Journey to Take Me
“I’m building AI systems that create faster, work smarter, and help people — starting with me and my family, then everyone like me. Real freedom means being able to lift up anyone who needs it without ever wondering if I can afford to. But I can’t pour from an empty cup.”
With that in mind, here’s a simple breakdown of the roadmap as it currently stands:
Phase 1: Foundations & Confidence (0-90 Days)
Learning Python fundamentals and building confidence by making small but real projects.
Phase 2: Integration & Workflow Mastery (90-180 Days)
Taking what I build and connecting it into workflows that actually get things done.
Phase 3: Teaching & Brand Building (180-270 Days)
Sharing what I build in public so others can learn alongside me. (Separate from this blog. The blog will continue every week.)
Phase 4: Monetization & Scale (270-365 Days)
Turning these skills into income streams while holding down a stable job to give my family the life they deserve.
But before I try to build anything massive, I need to get the basics of my new path down. Here’s what the next four weeks are going to look like specifically:
Week 1: Learn Python setup, print statements, variables, and basic math. Build a script that asks for my name and prints a personalized greeting plus a fun fact.
Week 2: Dive into control flow with if/else statements and boolean logic. Build a number guessing game.
Week 3: Explore functions and loops. Build a basic calculator script.
Week 4: Practice importing libraries and reading files. Build a “Daily Motivator” script that pulls a random motivational quote from a text file.
Let me know if you’d like to see the next four weeks each month once we’re through with the next four blog posts.
This is the start. I’m not here to build something impressive just to flex on LinkedIn or stack certifications to pad my resume with fluff. I have a mission and I’m here to build skills that are going to change my life.
AI Terms/Definitions
I’ve been adding new terms to my glossary every week to lock these ideas in place. As always, these aren’t dictionary-perfect.
They’re just how I understand them right now, based on what I’ve seen and read so far in my journey. For the first half, check out last week’s blog post.
12. Active-Prompting
Tweaking prompts step by step based on each output to steer results exactly where you want them.
Prompt Example:
“Write a professional LinkedIn post about AI ethics.” “Now shorten it to two sentences.” “Now rewrite it as a question to engage readers.”
13. Automatic Prompt Engineer (APE)
Letting the model generate its own prompts to achieve a task better.
Prompt Example:
“Write three different prompts I could use to get a detailed summary of this article.”
14. Automatic Reasoning and Tool-Use (ART)
The model reasons through steps and selects tools to complete each stage, used in advanced AI agents.
Prompt Example:
“You are an AI assistant with access to Google and a calculator. Plan how to find the average lifespan of golden retrievers, then do it.”
15. Chain-of-Verification (CoVe)
Prompting the model to verify its own answers step by step for accuracy.
Prompt Example:
“Explain how Bitcoin mining works. Now verify each step for accuracy and logical consistency.”
16. Directional Stimulus Prompting (DSP)
Giving directional cues to guide output style or tone without detailed instructions.
Prompt Example:
“Write a product description. Direction: minimal and elegant.”
17. Few-Shot Chain-of-Thought Prompting
Combining example prompts with step-by-step reasoning to teach both format and process.
Prompt Example:
“Here are two example algebra problems with full explanations. Solve this third problem the same way.”
18. Meta-Prompting
Prompting the model to write prompts for another task or model.
Prompt Example:
“Write a detailed Midjourney prompt for an oil painting of a medieval blacksmith’s forge at sunrise.”
19. Reflexion
Prompting the model to critique and improve its previous outputs.
Prompt Example:
“Review your last marketing strategy recommendation. Identify any weaknesses and improve them.”
20. Skeleton-of-Thought Prompting
Having the model build a skeleton outline first before fleshing out content.
Prompt Example:
“List the main sections of an AI ethics white paper before writing the introduction.”
21. Two-Shot Prompting
Giving two examples before asking the model to produce its own output in the same style or structure.
Prompt Example:
“Here are two examples of engaging tweet hooks. Write a third one about AI automation benefits.”
22. Zero-Shot Prompting
Prompting the model to complete a task with no examples given, relying on its general knowledge.
Prompt Example:
“Write a short LinkedIn summary of this blog post.”
Want More?
I actually found a few more while researching and compiling my plain-English glossary. There’s over 100+ definitions in there now and I intend to add to it as I grow. Grab the Version 1 PDF or check it out anytime at Futureproof Resources.
Top AI Voices to Follow
I focused on further curating my Twitter feed this week to make sure I’m seeing as many different AI voices as possible. I’ll probably keep going in that direction next week too.
Out of curiosity though, is Twitter the best platform for AI collaborators? Is there a better place for me to tune in? If you have a suggestion, let me know in the comments please.
Cognitive Revolution Podcast (@CogRev_Podcast)
Grounded discussions about AI advancements, real-world implications, and what’s happening behind the hype. (YouTube Link)
ByteMonk
YouTube – ByteMonk Channel
Short, actionable AI tool breakdowns and workflow tutorials to implement right away.
Sembly AI (@sembly_ai)
Focused on AI meeting assistants, productivity integrations, and workplace automation.
Bria AI (@bria_ai_)
Explores ethical AI image generation, synthetic media, and visual content workflows.
PromptBase (@promptbase)
The marketplace and community for buying, selling, and exploring effective prompts for different AI models.
Next Steps in My AI Journey
Now that I’ve laid some groundwork, I’m going to start building something real.
From now on, I’m shifting gears to focus on my road map. I wanted to finish that creative learning path, and may still try to work it in somewhere later because it looks interesting. After researching FreeCodeCamp and seeing how widely recommended it is though, I’ve decided to start there instead.
Python is a superpower in the AI world, and I want to build that skill from the ground up.
Week One of my road map is simple:
Set up my environment, learn print statements, variables, and basic math operations. My mini project will be a script that asks for my name and prints a personalized greeting plus a fun fact.
That’s the goal. But life happens. If I need to adjust, I will, and I won’t beat myself up about it. Still, going forward, this blog is going to follow my road map as closely as realistically possible.
I mentioned last week how Python is the backbone of all the tools I want to build. It’s a practical skill that opens doors and I’m in need of some doors opening for me. I’m convinced that a better life for my wife and kids is on the other side.
Closing the Loop
This week didn’t go how I planned, but honestly, I think it turned out better. Instead of just checking off another certification, I took the time to figure out where I actually want to go and built a road map to get there.
I don’t know if anyone reading this needs to hear it today, but I’ll say it anyway: clarity beats busywork every time.
Next week, this 38-year old dad with no tech background will be taking his first steps into Python. Wish me luck.
What’s something AI has helped you do that you couldn’t have done alone?
What skill are you learning right now that scares you a little, but you know is worth doing?
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably on your own journey with AI. Subscribe if you haven’t yet, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter/X. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
Social Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldkell/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/FutureproofDK
