Editing Pathway: Starting from Scratch (section)

== Common Pitfalls ==
* '''Trying to learn everything at once.''' There's a lot of AI content out there and it can feel like you need to absorb all of it. You don't. One exercise per week is enough. Depth beats breadth, especially at the beginning.
* '''Comparing yourself to power users.''' People who've been using AI tools for years had their own slow start. Your pace is fine. The fact that you're being intentional about learning puts you ahead of most people who just use AI casually.
* '''Dismissing AI too quickly when it gives a bad answer.''' Early on, you might conclude "AI isn't useful" after a disappointing response. Before you give up, try rephrasing your prompt or giving AI more context. The difference between a bad prompt and a good one is often just a few extra sentences.
* '''Skipping the reflection.''' It's tempting to rush through the exercises and move on. But the moment you pause to ask "what did I actually learn here?" is where the real skill development happens.