Every Decision Matters

Success after incarceration requires planning, preparation, intentional decision-making, and a clear vision. If you can envision the success you want to become in the future, you can start building a plan, putting priorities in place, and then building your tools, tactics, and resources that accelerate your path.

I learned those lessons from leaders, and you can do the same. By reading books, I learned how to think differently.  Our earliest decisions in the journey influence the opportunities that open for us while we're serving the sentence, and the level of success we achieve on the other side. It's the reason we advise members of our community to:

1. Define success,
2. Create a plan,
3. Prioritize decisions,
4. Set goals
5. Measure progress,
6. Develop tools, tactics, and resources,
7. Execute your plan.  

Preparation 

Every choice we make carries an opportunity cost. This includes our decision on how we respond to a criminal charge, how we choose to prepare through the process, how we choose to adjust while inside, and what we do upon release. By choosing one path, we inevitably leave another behind.

Too many people who go into the system fail to prepare. Instead of laying out a plan that will lead to success, they make excuses:

• I've got the best lawyer, and he will take care of things.
• My lawyer sold me out, so it's not my fault.
• The prison system doesn't care about me.
• There are no rehabilitation programs available.
• I'll get started preparing once I get out, right now I just need to focus on prison.

Those are all excuses. It's hard to prepare for success. Do it anyway.

Success will not wait for you to “get around to it.” It begins the moment you choose to move forward. By preparing while in prison, you can hit the ground running upon release, equipped with tools, strategies, and a clear sense of purpose to build a better life. 

Strategic Plan for Success 

The pathway to success starts with a clear plan. The tools and lessons we teach through Prison Professors emphasize deliberate steps to prepare for success in any circumstance. By applying these principles, you can define your own success and take responsibility for becoming it. 

Define Success 

What does success mean to you? Forget about what others expect or how the system defines your worth. Your success will look different from anyone else’s. 

• Ask yourself: What kind of life do I want to create?
• Who do I want to be as a person, a professional, or a family member?

Set Goals 

Once you’ve defined success, break it down into actionable, short-term goals. Each step should guide you closer to your version of success. 

• Ask yourself: What can I accomplish in the next week, the next three months, and the next year?

Develop a Plan 

Your plan will differ from the plans that others create. It's your path. Own the choices you make. Create an actionable roadmap that includes clear steps, timelines, and resources to help you achieve incremental progress. 

• Ask yourself: What specific steps will move me toward each of my goals?

Prioritize Decisions 

Every decision matters. When you prioritize wisely, you’re focusing your energy on what’s most essential to your growth. 

• Ask yourself: Does this decision move me closer to my goal, or distract me from it?

Build Tools, Tactics, and Resources 

Invest in yourself. Whether it’s through education, books, networking, or skills training, you need resources to elevate your chances of success. 

• Ask yourself: What resources do I have now, and what do I need to build?
• Where can I learn or practice these skills?
• Have I developed a resource to memorialize my progress?
• In what ways am I inviting others to hold me accountable?

Adjust for Obstacles 

Expect challenges, but don’t let them derail your efforts. Obstacles are part of the process and an opportunity to grow. Adjust your plan as needed to keep moving forward. 

• Ask yourself: When setbacks happen, how can I remain focused and resilient?

Create Accountability Metrics 

Track your progress to stay motivated and committed. You’ll gain confidence when you see the distance you’ve traveled toward your goals. Accountability also helps identify areas where change is necessary. 

• Ask yourself: How can I measure progress? Who can help hold me accountable?

The Ripple Effect of Early Decisions 

The decisions you make today will ripple across your future. Had I not prioritized education while incarcerated, I wouldn’t have completed my bachelor’s, master’s, or written books. Those choices empowered me through the journey, giving me skills and resources to open opportunities. I could leverage one to open another. They helped me create income opportunities that allowed me to get out successfully, and build income streams in the community. When you prepare, you create options for your future. 

Take small, incremental steps every day. Read, journal, develop a new skill, or commit to helping others with their personal growth. Those efforts compound over time. 

Reflection is Your Greatest Ally 

Take a moment now to reflect on the following questions. Write your answers down to give weight to your thoughts and turn them into actionable steps:

• Who do I want to become, in five years or 10 years?
• What daily habits can I start today to prepare for that future?
• How can I use my current circumstances to my advantage?
• Who can I learn from to help shape my path?

Success Awaits 

Success requires intentional preparation. The effort you put in today will set the stage for the rest of your life. No matter how challenging your current circumstances may seem, you're making choices that will influence your future. Choose wisely. Focus on what you can do, take one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to adjust your plans along the way. 

Stay strong. Be intentional. Be strategic. 

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