Challenges

This morning, while thinking more about what I want to share with students at UC Berkeley, whom I’ll address tomorrow, I reflected on the lessons I’ve shared over the years. I’ve been speaking to students at UC Berkeley ever since 2012, when I transitioned from a federal prison to a halfway house in San Francisco.

Although prison shaped much of my journey, the lessons I offer aren’t just for people navigating the justice system. The principles I teach apply universally, no matter the challenges someone may face. I’ve met many people in society who seemed to live in a prison far more restrictive than the prisons that confined me. They’re in a prison of their own mind, because they haven’t learned to overcome the challenges of their life.

Think about Viktor Frankl, who endured the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust. His teachings in Man’s Search for Meaning have inspired countless people to find purpose, even in suffering. Or Nelson Mandela, whose resilience during 27 years of imprisonment in South Africa illuminated a path toward reconciliation and justice. Most of us will never face trials of that magnitude, but their lessons transcend their circumstances. They teach us how to approach any hardship with dignity, strength, and purpose.

In the same way, the lessons I learned during 26 years in prison aren’t about incarceration—they’re about the human experience. They’re about navigating adversity, setting goals, and creating a meaningful life, regardless of the obstacles we face.

Common Ground

I didn’t begin to understand the universal nature of these lessons until I started reading. At first, I read to escape—to distract myself from the reality of a 45-year sentence. But as I encountered works from great thinkers and leaders, I realized something profound: they weren’t writing for people in prison. They were writing for anyone who wanted to live a life of meaning and contribution.

For example, yesterday I wrote about Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor leading an empire. Yet his reflections in Meditations speak to anyone trying to make sense of life’s challenges. He wrote:

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

That insight helped me see my prison sentence differently. Instead of focusing on what I had lost, I began to focus on what I could gain—knowledge, discipline, and a stronger sense of purpose.

The same principle applies to all of us. Whether you’re navigating a career setback, a health crisis, or a personal challenge, obstacles can become opportunities if you choose to see them that way.

Transcending Circumstances

Here are three lessons I learned from leaders that can help anyone facing adversity:

1. Control What You Can
   Nelson Mandela once said, “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” He couldn’t control the 27 years he spent in prison, but he could control his mindset and his actions. Similarly, I couldn’t control my 45-year sentence, but I could control how I spent each day. This principle applies universally: focus on what you can do, not what’s beyond your reach.
   
2. Create Meaning in Every Moment
   Viktor Frankl wrote, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’” For me, that “why” was preparing for the day I would walk out of prison. I wanted to return to society stronger, more capable, and ready to contribute. Whatever your circumstances, defining your “why” gives you the strength to endure and overcome.
   
3. Turn Challenges into Training Grounds
   In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius reminds us that hardship is part of life, but it’s also an opportunity to grow. Prison became my training ground—a place to sharpen my mind, discipline my habits, and build the foundation for a better future. Whatever challenge you’re facing can serve the same purpose if you approach it with the right mindset.
   

Applying These Lessons Today

Even now, as I work to expand the reach of Prison Professors, I encounter challenges. Building a nonprofit, inspiring people to support our mission, and scaling our impact requires resilience and focus. I rely on the same principles that guided me through prison to navigate these obstacles.

Our work isn’t just about helping people in prison—it’s about showing anyone how to turn struggles into stepping stones. Whether you’re facing financial difficulties, a tough career decision, or personal setbacks, the strategies we teach can help you define success, set goals, and execute a plan to move forward.

A Call to Reflect

If you’re facing a challenge today, I encourage you to reflect on these questions:

• What can you control in this situation?
• How can you create meaning in this moment?
• What steps can you take to turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth?

By drawing on the wisdom of leaders like Frankl, Mandela, and Aurelius, we can all learn to navigate life’s obstacles with purpose and resilience. Their lessons—and the lessons I’ve learned along my journey—are here to remind us that, no matter our circumstances, we have the power to rise above.

Self-Directed Learning Question:

• How can you apply the lessons of control, meaning, and growth to your current challenges, and what practical steps will you take today to put those lessons into action?

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