Welcome to Gratitude Driven, a weekly newsletter where I share practical ideas and insights across personal growth, professional development, and the world of AI/ML. ✨

Most AI Engineering roadmaps start with prompt engineering and RAG, but stop before they get to the skills that are actually required to land those fancy, high-paid positions we hear so much about.

This video talks about the advanced skills beyond the basics that will actually help you stand out in the job market in 2026.

The blog version is here.

If you've been applying to AI/ML roles and hearing nothing back, working through another course without a clear sense of what to do next, or sitting on a half-finished portfolio project you're not sure is even worth finishing, this summer is a good time to change that.

A lot of folks have some breathing room over the next couple of months to actually focus on career development.

So through June 5th (tomorrow!!), I'm taking 25% off the Guided tier of the AI/ML Career Launchpad.

Pick what works for you: 25% off your first 3 months, or 25% off annual, which already includes 2 months free. New members only.

Use code GUIDED3 at checkout.

The Launchpad is a structured path through skill development, portfolio projects, job applications, and interview prep, with direct access to me for the questions that don't have easy answers on YouTube.

Learn more here. 🚀

If you know me at all, you know I love Arnold Schwarzenegger. I even named my last cat Arnold in his honor.

This is partly because I’m a gym-bro. But it’s more because I’m inspired by everything else Arnold accomplished: Moving to the US before he spoke English, absolutely dominating in body building, becoming a successful businessman, a famous actor, and then the governor of one of the largest economies in the world. No big deal.

Schwarzenegger often talks about how important having a vision was for his success:

Take a moment to think about what you want in life. Do you have a goal so clear you can see it playing in your mind as though it's a memory you've already lived?

That kind of vision is one of the most powerful things you can have. It influences the direction of your life, your motivation, and how you feel along the way. Mine helps me make decisions, choose which sacrifices are worth making, and holds me accountable to my dreams. It shapes my actions in line with the identity of the person I want to become.

Most of the people I coach don't have a vision like this. They have a job title they're after, or a salary goal, or just a background sense that life should be different in some way. That's a start, but it’s not enough to get you through the truly hard parts with enjoyment and ease.

My suggestion is to spend some time really thinking about what your vision is, down to the details. Think of an ordinary Tuesday: Where do you live? What time do you wake up? Who's with you? How does your body feel? What's your state of mind, and what are you looking forward to?

Keep it clear but flexible. I'm specific about the day I want and how I want to feel living it, but open about how I get there. It's a North Star for where I want to end up, not a map for the exact steps along the way.

And having a vision humbles me. I remember that my success is not guaranteed. Pursuit of audacious goals does not mean I'm owed some cosmic pay day at the end; It's still up to me to make it happen.

Here’s a new podcast I did with DataCamp! Hope it’s helpful 🙂

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