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The Only Mistake you can make is NOT having your rod in the water !

Joey Powers
September 12, 2024

Today’s post is all about dipping your toe in the water and learning from the Jedi Masters…

My name is Joey Powers, and I am a Prompt Engineer.

This blog is all about real-world applications of prompts and how I use them daily. I mentioned in an earlier post how I grab my AirPods, put them in, hit the headphone symbol on my ChatGPT app, and have a conversation. If you do nothing else, just do that—interact with it. As you get familiar with it, I hope you catch "gold fever" and see how beneficial this tech can be.

I’ve realized I needed a model for learning, someone I could emulate. That inspiration came from my favorite AI podcast, Everyday AI. (Shout out to Jordan Wilson—though we’ve never spoken, you've truly changed my life!) The episode I listened to was an older one, #179 with Abran Maldonado. Abran is an OpenAI Ambassador—who are these Jedi of AI?

Even though a lot has changed since that episode aired, it was still incredibly inspiring. What really hit home for me was Abran’s story about staying up until 4 a.m. just hammering away at AI—that's totally me right now. Since diving into AI, I’ve never been more creative, and I’m eager to learn all I can. I want to incorporate AI into every part of my life. Another message that resonated with me was about just going for it and putting your work out there. Right now, time is of the essence, so I urge everyone to dip their toes into the AI waters.

It reminds me of a story I once read, which goes something like this:

Once, a boy sat by the shore, casting his line over and over but catching nothing. Frustrated, he couldn’t figure out why nothing was biting. An older man, watching him from a distance, eventually came over.

The man said, “You’re eager, but you're missing something important.”

Curious, the boy asked, “What am I doing wrong?”

The older man explained, “Right now, the tide is high, and the fish are scattered. But when the tide fully goes out, it stirs up the plankton and small creatures from the seabed. The fish can’t resist that, and they’ll come rushing in with the incoming tide. That’s when you’ll catch as many as you want.”

The boy listened carefully. The older man added, “The only risk is if you don’t have your rod in the water when the tide turns. When things seem at their worst—when the tide is fully out—don’t give up. That’s when the fish will be most attracted, and you’ll be rewarded.”

The boy waited patiently, and as the tide turned, the fish came in droves. Just like the man said, the boy learned that sometimes, in life as in fishing, you have to wait for the right moment and trust the process. Success often comes when things seem toughest, but only if you’re prepared.

What’s happening in AI right now feels like that turning point in the tide. If you learn about AI and get your rod in the water, you’ll be ready when the big catch comes.

So, today’s inspiration is learning about the OpenAI Ambassadors. Who are they, why do they matter, and how can you get that good?

Who Are OpenAI Ambassadors?

OpenAI Ambassadors are basically AI superheroes—people who have mastered tools like GPT-4 and GPT-3.5. But the best part? They don’t just keep that knowledge to themselves. They create blog posts, tutorials, videos, and even podcasts to help people like you and me figure out how to get the most out of these tools. You can find them on platforms like Medium, YouTube, and GitHub, sharing projects that range from creative writing to building AI-powered apps

​(OpenAI Developer Forum)​(OpenAI Developer Forum).

Here’s the exciting thing: You don’t have to be a tech genius to get skilled with AI. All you need is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a few practical tips.

Step 1: Get to Know OpenAI Tools

First things first—if you want to get on the level of OpenAI Ambassadors, you need to understand the tools. GPT-4 can help you generate content, ideas, or even write code. Its more efficient sibling, GPT-3.5, is widely used for practical tasks like coding, creative writing, and even automating day-to-day tasks.

How do you start? Dive in! Sign up for OpenAI’s API and begin experimenting with small projects. Build a chatbot, write a piece of code, or automate a task. Remember, even Ambassadors started somewhere, and there are tons of resources available to help you grow​(Wikipedia)​(OpenAI Developer Forum).

Step 2: Join the AI Community

One of the biggest things I’ve learned from Ambassadors is the importance of community. The AI world is constantly buzzing with new ideas, and it’s much easier to learn when you’re connected with people who share their insights.

I follow Ambassadors on Medium and YouTube because they’re always dropping helpful tips and sharing new techniques. Being part of that community keeps me motivated and inspired. So, jump into forums, ask questions, share your projects, and get feedback​(OpenAI Developer Forum).

Step 3: Build Real Projects

Now comes the fun part—building things! Ambassadors don’t just talk about AI—they're constantly creating. Whether it’s AI-powered writing tools or customer service bots, they’re always showing how AI can solve real problems.

My advice? Start small. Pick a project that interests you and build it out. Don’t get hung up on making it perfect—just focus on getting something working. As you gain confidence, you can take on more complex challenges.

Step 4: Master Prompt Engineering

One thing that sets OpenAI Ambassadors apart is their skill with prompt engineering. It might sound complicated, but it’s just about asking the AI the right questions in the right way to get the best results. Think of it like giving clear instructions to a friend—if you ask for exactly what you need, you’ll get a better response.

Experiment with different prompts. Ask GPT-4 to generate ideas, explain something, or write code. The more you tweak your prompts, the better your outputs will become​ (OpenAI Developer Forum).

Step 5: Share What You Learn

Sharing is caring, and it’s also one of the best ways to solidify your knowledge. Whether it’s writing a blog post, making a tutorial video, or simply contributing to an online discussion, sharing your AI journey is valuable.

Many OpenAI Ambassadors started by doing exactly that. They learned something cool, shared it, and soon became recognized for their skills. You can do the same!

Keep Learning and Growing

AI is always evolving, so staying curious is key. I make it a point to keep up with new trends by following events like OpenAI’s DevDay, listening to podcasts, and reading about the latest features. I try not to stress about being perfect—just keep learning, experimenting, and sharing. Whenever I talk about AI, I light up like a Christmas tree.

Final Thoughts

My goal and my hope for you is that we become skilled with AI—just like the OpenAI Ambassadors. Join me as I dive into tools like ChatGPT  and Midjourney (my personal favorite), connect with the community, build real projects, master prompt engineering, and share our knowledge.

This blog is all about making AI accessible and fun. Stick around—I’ll be sharing more real-world tips, tricks, and stories from my own experiences with OpenAI tools!

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