Decisions, Action, Commitment

Every challenge requires us to to choose which direction we want to go. It doesn't matter where we are. We've got to make choices that align with our commitment to work toward best outcomes. Reading about leaders helped me learn this lesson, and people can use it regardless of what they're going through or what they're trying to achieve.

At the start of my journey, while in solitary confinement, I read the stories of people who were going through the same kind of challenges I faced. They taught me to think differently. Complaining about the external factors of my life wouldn't help me get to the other side of the journey. I had to learn how to make daily decisions, take action, and commit to following the plan consistently. It was my plan, and I had to keep pushing forward if I wanted a better future.

I couldn’t afford to waste time or wallow in regret. Instead, I needed to decide what kind of life I wanted, take deliberate actions that aligned with that vision, and, most importantly, stay committed even when the path forward felt impossible.

Those three principles—decisions, actions, and commitment—not only helped me endure multiple decades inside, they also empowered me to keep pushing forward.  

Anyone can learn to make decisions with clarity, take strategic actions, and remain fully committed to goals. Whether navigating a personal crisis, building a career, or striving for personal development, such a framework helps us build confidence and push forward.

Decisions

Success starts with knowing what we want. During my time inside, I had to define success. And success at one stage of the journey will look differently as we make incremental progress.

I put myself in the predicament I was in, and I understood that no one should work harder than me to get to the other side. Somethings I'd be able to change, and other things I would not be able to control. Authorities had taken away my liberty. Yet I always had the ability to think. I made a conscious decision early on to emerge from prison as a stronger, more educated, and disciplined version of myself.  I was 23 when I started in prison, and I had to think about when I would be 49, when I expected to get out.

Our decisions shape the course of our life. Clarity about the outcome we want allows us to filter out distractions, prioritize what matters, and avoid wasting energy on unproductive or self-defeating choices.  

Ask yourself:  

• What do I really want, and why does it matter?  
• What values will guide my decisions as I pursue this outcome?  
• What is the cost of indecision or staying stagnant?  

When you take time to answer these questions, you define your destination. Every subsequent step you take becomes intentional and purpose-driven.  

Action  

Decisions mean nothing without action. Action demonstrates that your goals aren’t just abstract ideas but tangible plans you’re ready to pursue. When living through adversity, we have to do more than dream or fantasize about what success looks like. We've got to take steps to prepare for the future we want.  

That daily commitment helped me earn degrees, read hundreds of books, write books, and build a powerful support network that I still strive to nurture. It led to my “Straight-A Guide” courses. The efforts helped me build momentum over time.

• Start small: Break your goals into manageable tasks. Progress, even in small steps, compounds over time.  
• Be consistent: Habits are built through repetition. Take daily actions that align with your goals.  
• Overcome inertia: Motivation will occasionally wane; what matters is your ability to take action even when it’s hard.  

Real progress doesn’t come from waiting until conditions are perfect. It comes from acting now, imperfectly, but persistently.  

Commitment

Decisions and actions get you started, but commitment keeps you moving forward when challenges arise. Living in prison will bring countless obstacles. It didn't matter whether I was in a high security penitentiary, in solitary confinement, in a minimum security camp, I faced obstacles. Socratic questions helped me to keep pushing forward, with commitment and conviction.

Socratic Questions for Introspection

• What truly matters to you, and how does this align with the way you are living your life today?  
• What steps are you taking to ensure growth, even when circumstances seem insurmountable?  
• How do you define success, and is that definition leading you closer to a life of purpose and fulfillment?  
• When faced with adversity, how do you maintain your focus on long-term goals rather than immediate frustrations?  
• Are the decisions you're making each day guided by your core values, or are they influenced by external pressures?  
• How will you measure progress—not just by what you achieve, but by the person you are becoming?  
• What sacrifices are you willing to make now to create the future you envision for yourself?  
• How can you transform moments of doubt into opportunities for resilience and clarity?  

Introspecting on such questions renewed my sense of purpose and reinforced my commitment to the plan I laid out. The answers demanded honesty, and that honesty became the foundation of perseverance.

To me, commitment means not only putting in the effort but also staying accountable—to yourself and others. For instance, I kept detailed journal entries that served to measure whether my daily actions aligned with my long-term vision.  The journals became an asset I could leverage to self advocate, and to bring others into my network. That self-discipline ensured I didn’t stray from the path I’d chosen.  

How to Stay Committed:  

• Track your progress: Record your achievements and setbacks to maintain focus and adjust your strategy as needed.  
• Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge even small successes. They’re proof of your forward momentum and fuel to keep going.  
• Leverage community support: Share your goals with others who want to see you succeed. Accountability strengthens commitment.  

It’s easy to commit when things are going well. The real test is staying committed during setbacks or slow progress. Commitment builds resilience, which in turn builds confidence and leads to new opportunities.

Applying the Framework

No matter what stage of life of challenge you're going through, this framework can help you navigate to the other side. You don’t need perfect circumstances. To succeed, ]start where you are and focus on these three principles:

• Decide what you want with clarity and determination.  
• Act consistently in pursuit of that goal, no matter how small the steps.  
• Commit fully, staying accountable to yourself and others as you make progress.  

Self-Reflection Questions:  

• What is one major decision you need to make today to build the future you want?  
• What small action can you take right now to move that goal forward?  
• How will you commit to this goal in a way that holds you accountable daily?

That kind of disciplined planning helped me grow and build an intentional adjustment. It led to financial independence, which I now use to work toward making an impact with the Prison Professors nonprofit.

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