I didn’t start out in tech.
In fact, five years ago I was stuck in a job that paid the bills but drained my energy. I was reading about AI from the sidelines, assuming it was only for coders and PhDs.
But inspiration can be powerful — especially when paired with action. These ten quotes didn’t just motivate me. They helped me rewire my mindset, push through imposter syndrome, and eventually land a six-figure job in AI.
1. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
This quote snapped me out of passive scrolling and into proactive learning. I realized if AI was shaping the future, I wanted a seat at that table. So I signed up for my first machine learning course — terrified but committed.
2. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
Learning Python after work, one YouTube tutorial at a time, didn’t feel impressive. But it compounded. I set a rule: 45 minutes a day. No matter what.
3. “It’s not that I’m so smart. It’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein
There were nights when nothing made sense — pandas, NumPy, neural nets. I almost quit. But this quote reminded me: persistence beats talent when talent doesn’t show up consistently.
4. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar
I built my first project using open datasets from Kaggle. It was clunky and full of bugs, but it was mine. And it was enough to start building a portfolio.
5. “Clarity comes from engagement, not thought.” – Marie Forleo
Overthinking nearly paralyzed me. Should I learn TensorFlow or PyTorch? Focus on NLP or computer vision? I started applying for jobs I wasn’t 100% qualified for. That’s when clarity came.
6. “Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” – Chris Grosser
I began writing LinkedIn posts about what I was learning in AI. One of them got reshared by a hiring manager. That post led to an informational interview. That interview led to a job offer.
7. “Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Every major leap in my career came after something uncomfortable — cold emailing, public speaking, applying to jobs way out of my league. Fear is usually the sign I’m heading in the right direction.
8. “The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.” – Robert Greene
I wasn’t the smartest data scientist, but I combined storytelling with analysis. I could explain models to non-technical stakeholders. That hybrid skill set became my edge.
9. “Discipline equals freedom.” – Jocko Willink
Structure created momentum. I treated upskilling like training for a marathon. Wake up. Learn. Ship a small project. Reflect. Repeat.
10. “Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.” – Jim Rohn
This one hit hard. I stopped blaming the market or my lack of credentials. Instead, I doubled down on becoming undeniable.
Where I Am Now
Today, I work in AI strategy for a company I once thought would never give me a shot. I didn’t follow a traditional path — and maybe you won’t either. But if I could build a six-figure AI career from scratch, you can too.
The secret?
It’s not just about tools or certifications.
It’s about consistency, courage, and mindset.
And sometimes, just one quote that hits at the right moment.
Thinking about making a career switch into AI or data science?
Drop a comment or send me a message — I’d love to hear your story.
Contributed By,
P.J
