CEO of Your Life

Why Strategy Matters

When people enter prison, they often feel lost, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do. Some try to block out the world, some chase prison politics, and some simply wait for time to pass. But the people who succeed are the ones who develop a strategy.

That’s why I built the Straight-A Guide—a program I created while serving my own 26-year prison sentence. It is now used to teach more than a million people in jails and prisons across America. The program is not theory. It is the framework I lived, based on lessons I studied from leaders like Nelson Mandela, Frederick Douglass, and Socrates, and from business leaders who taught me how to think long term.

My Experience as Evidence

I was arrested in 1987, at age 23, for selling cocaine. A jury convicted me, and I began serving a 45-year sentence. At first, I was locked in solitary confinement with no clear direction.

Over time, I realized I had to become the CEO of my life. I couldn’t change my past, but I could create a plan to control my future. I learned to define success realistically, set meaningful goals, and hold myself accountable. By following this framework, I emerged from prison with my dignity intact and with opportunities to prosper.

That same framework became the Straight-A Guide.

Defining Success

The first module in the Straight-A Guide is Define Success.

For me, success was not an unrealistic fantasy of getting out of prison next week. I had a 45-year sentence. Instead, I set a ten-year target. My vision: when I walked out of prison, I wanted to be able to put on a suit, walk into any room, and have nobody know I had been incarcerated—unless I told them.

That definition influenced everything I did. I knew I needed to get an education, contribute to society, and build a strong support network. Those goals became my roadmap.

For you, the definition of success might look different. The key is to decide early what success means—and then align your daily actions with that vision.

Setting Goals

Once you define success, you need specific goals that move you toward it. In my case, I created three:

1. Education — Earn a university degree.
2. Contribution — Become a published author.
3. Support Network — Build relationships with ten people I did not know before prison who would advocate for me.

These goals gave me direction. They showed others that I was serious about change, and they opened doors for opportunities I never imagined.

What goals will you set for yourself?

The Eight Modules of the Straight-A Guide

The Straight-A Guide breaks this framework into eight practical modules.

1. Attitude

Success begins with the right attitude. Do your actions reflect a commitment to your goals? Are you focused on growth, or are you distracted by prison politics? Your attitude determines your adjustment.

2. Aspiration

You must aspire to something greater than your current circumstances. For me, I pictured myself successful—home, free, and building a career. Aspiration gives direction when the environment is difficult.

3. Action

Talk is cheap. Prison yards are filled with “happy talk.” What matters is consistent action—studying, writing, exercising discipline. Real progress comes from daily effort, not words.

4. Accountability

Hold yourself accountable by creating measurable metrics. For me, that meant producing written work, pursuing formal education, and documenting progress daily. Accountability builds credibility with yourself and with others.

5. Awareness

Stay aware of opportunities. Every program, class, or positive connection can open a door. At the same time, be aware of traps—negativity, gossip, gangs, or distractions. Choose awareness over apathy.

6. Authenticity

Be authentic. Build a plan, prioritize your actions, and follow through. People respect consistency and integrity. Authenticity builds trust with mentors, family, and potential advocates.

7. Achievement

Celebrate milestones along the way: completing courses, publishing work, building your support network, or staying free of disciplinary problems. Achievement creates momentum.

8. Appreciation

Appreciate the opportunities you find, the people who support you, and the progress you make. Gratitude strengthens resilience and keeps you grounded in a positive outlook.

Why This Works

Every opportunity I received in prison—earning degrees, publishing books, building relationships with mentors, connecting with Carole and getting married, and preparing for reentry—was available to others. But not everyone chose to live with discipline, set goals, and apply these principles.

By following the Straight-A Guide, I stood out in a positive way. I built credibility. People invested in me, advocated for me, and helped me succeed.

Self-Direction, Not Consultants

You do not need to pay thousands of dollars to a so-called consultant. Most of them lack the depth of experience, knowledge, and body of work to provide meaningful guidance. You need to learn how to do this yourself.

That’s why all of our lessons at PrisonProfessors.org are free. I make three promises:

1. I will never lie to you.
2. I will never ask you to do something I didn’t do.
3. I will never ask you to pay a penny for the educational content we provide.

Profiles: Documenting Your Journey

One of the best ways to apply the Straight-A Guide is by building a record of progress. That’s why we created the Profiles platform at PrisonProfessors.org.

• Biography — Write your life story so decision-makers see you as more than a conviction.
• Journals — Regularly document honest reflections that demonstrate accountability and growth.
• Book Reports — Explain why you chose a book, what you learned from it, and how the lessons connect to your preparation for release.
• Release Plan — Create a clear strategy for housing, employment, and reintegration that demonstrates readiness.
• Testimonials — Gather statements from family, mentors, or peers who recognize your growth and credibility.

Updating your Profile regularly proves that you are serious about change and creates resources for people who may advocate on your behalf.

Free Resources

In addition to lessons at PrisonProfessors.org, you can join free webinars hosted by Justin Paperny, at WhiteCollarAdvice.com/Nonprofit. These live sessions give you the chance to ask questions and learn from others preparing for the same journey.

Be the CEO of Your Life

At the heart of the Straight-A Guide is this message: be the CEO of your life.

• Define what success means for you.
• Set specific goals that align with that definition.
• Take daily action, hold yourself accountable, and document your journey.
• Stay aware, be authentic, celebrate progress, and show appreciation.

When you live this way, you create opportunities to come home with dignity intact and with the ability to prosper.

Key Takeaways

• The Straight-A Guide is a proven framework used by over a million people in jails and prisons.
• Success begins with defining what it means to you.
• Goals must align with success and focus on education, contribution, and building a support network.
• The eight modules—Attitude, Aspiration, Action, Accountability, Awareness, Authenticity, Achievement, Appreciation—create a roadmap for growth.
• You don’t need consultants; you need self-direction and free resources.
• Profiles provide a tool to document progress and build credibility.
• Being the CEO of your life means taking ownership, making a plan, and executing it daily.
  
  

Self-Directed Exercise

Reflect on these questions and add your responses to your Profile:

1. How do you define success for yourself during and after prison?
2. What specific goals can you set now that align with that definition?
3. Which Straight-A Guide modules will you focus on most in the next 90 days, and how will you measure accountability?

By documenting your answers, you take the first step toward applying the Straight-A Guide to your own life.