The Zero-to-AI Roadmap

You’re Not Late Yet. Here’s How to Catch Up With AI If You’re Just Getting Started

January 11, 2026

If you are not using AI in your life, business, or career,
you’re not late (yet).

AI feels overwhelming right now because most explanations are backward.
People start with tools, jargon, and hype instead of fundamentals.

This playbook gives you the correct order.

I built a business that generated $10M+ in revenue, much of it powered by AI-generated marketing assets and now AI agents. I’ve also seen others use AI to dramatically improve their careers, health, productivity, and relationships.

If I were starting from zero today,
this is exactly how I’d catch up.

Not by learning everything.
Not by chasing tools.
But by following a simple, focused roadmap.

I’ve watched and reviewed 200+ AI videos and distilled everything into a clear starting plan.

The One Mental Shift You Must Make First

AI is not about technology.
AI is about leverage.

The goal is not to become an AI expert.
The goal is to use AI to:

  • Think better

  • Decide faster

  • Create more

  • Reduce effort

  • Multiply output

Phase 1: Learn How to Talk to AI

Most people open ChatGPT and get disappointed.

Not because AI is weak,
but because their instructions are unclear.

AI works best when you treat it like a thinking partner, not a vending machine.

Watch this first (17 minutes)

How to Learn AI in 17 Minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWFFaKxsz_s

What this phase teaches you

  • How to clearly explain what you want

  • How to give useful context

  • How to guide outputs

  • How to iterate instead of restarting

This phase alone puts you ahead of most people.

Phase 2: Understand What AI Can Actually Do

Most people underestimate AI because they’ve only seen basic demos.

This phase expands your imagination and shows what’s already possible.

Watch this next

50 Amazing AI Uses (That Will Feel Like You’re Cheating)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnCwXJnMgdk

What this phase teaches you

  • Where AI already creates unfair advantages

  • How AI saves time across work and life

  • How people are using AI creatively

Ask yourself:
Where could this save me time or help me earn more?

Phase 3: Turn AI Into Systems

Using AI once is helpful.
Turning AI into a system is transformational.

This is where AI starts compounding.

Watch this last

How to Build & Sell AI Automations & Agents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey18PDiaAYI

What this phase teaches you

  • How AI automations work

  • How workflows are structured

  • How repetitive tasks disappear

Even if you never sell anything, this phase teaches leverage.

The 3-Week Catch-Up Plan (Follow This Exactly)

Week 1

  • Practice talking to AI daily

  • Use AI for thinking, writing, planning

Week 2

  • Identify 2–3 AI use cases

  • Apply them immediately

Week 3

  • Learn basic automation

  • Build one simple workflow

  • Remove one recurring task

No overload.
No complexity.
No chasing every new tool.

What Most People Do (And Why It Matters)

Most people will:

  • Read this

  • Feel motivated

  • Do nothing

A small group will:

  • Apply one idea

  • Change how they work permanently

That difference compounds faster than most people realize.

What I’m Building - MarketingBlocks

You’ve just seen how AI agents and automations work.

I’m building MarketingBlocks, a platform built around that exact idea: AI agents running marketing systems continuously.

This isn’t required to follow the playbook. It’s simply what I’m building.

Final Thought

You’re not late.
But you won’t be early forever.

The people who win with AI aren’t the smartest or most technical.
They’re the ones who start, simplify, and stay consistent.

Start now.