Preparation

When I was going through graduate school, I spent a great deal of time studying the work of Joan Petersilia. Her research on reentry and the challenges people face after prison shaped the way I thought about my own preparation.

At the time, Joan was writing extensively about the difficulties formerly incarcerated individuals faced in finding jobs, securing stable housing, and reintegrating into society. The statistics were alarming:

• Many people who left prison would struggle to gain employment.
• Many would experience homelessness or unstable living situations.
• Many would return to the justice system within a few years due to lack of opportunities.

Her research confirmed what I already suspected—the responsibility of preparing for life after prison would fall entirely on me. I couldn’t depend on the job market, the government, or even society to create opportunities for me. I had to create them myself.

That realization changed everything. Instead of hoping someone would give me a second chance, I started thinking about how I could build my own career, my own income streams, and my own stability.

Joan Petersilia’s research underscored a fundamental truth: hope alone isn’t a strategy.

If I wanted a successful reentry, I needed:

1. A long-term vision – Where did I want to be in five years? Ten years?
2. A concrete plan – What specific steps would I take while still in prison?
3. Systems for self-sufficiency – How could I create value that others would pay for?

This wasn’t just about survival—it was about thriving. I didn’t want to scrape by after release; I wanted to build something meaningful.

The Straight-A Guide

Inspired by Joan’s research, I developed a system for preparing for success—what eventually became the Straight-A Guide. This approach could help anyone who wanted to rebuild and create new opportunities.

The Straight-A Guide focuses on ten core principles, but at its heart, it is about discipline, accountability, and long-term thinking. It teaches:

• Define success. You can’t move forward if you don’t know where you’re going.
• Set clear goals. Break big objectives into smaller, manageable tasks.
• Prioritize self-education. Knowledge creates opportunity.
• Create value. Learn to solve problems that people will pay for.
• Stay accountable. Track progress and adjust when necessary.

The Five-Year Rule

One of the most practical lessons I took from Joan’s work was the importance of five-year planning.

“Most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year but underestimate what they can achieve in five years.”
– Bill Gates

That idea resonated deeply with me. A year might not be enough to see dramatic change, but five years of focused effort can transform everything. Every time I set a new goal—whether in business, fitness, or financial independence—I ask myself:

• What do I want five years from now?
• What skills must I develop to reach that goal?
• What daily actions will move me closer to success?

Lessons in Long-Term Thinking

One of the greatest errors people make—whether after prison or in business—is focusing only on immediate survival instead of long-term success.

I’ve seen this mistake play out countless times. Someone gets out of prison and immediately starts looking for a job—without having built any skills or developed a network. The rejection leads to frustration, and soon they believe the system is rigged against them.

Instead of preparing for setbacks before they happen, they react to challenges after they happen. That’s a losing strategy.

Instead, long-term preparation puts you in control.

The Intersection of Preparation and Opportunity

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
– Thomas Edison

The truth is, most people don’t fail because of a lack of opportunity—they fail because of a lack of preparation.

Joan’s research helped me realize that no one would hand me success. If I wanted opportunities, I had to:

1. Create them by developing rare and valuable skills.
2. Be ready when the right moment arrived.

This is the same mindset I apply today. Even though I’ve been out of prison for more than a decade, I still set five-year goals, track my progress, and adjust as needed.

Regardless of your background—whether you’re in prison, facing a personal setback, or simply looking for your next big opportunity—the lesson remains the same:

• Start preparing now. Waiting until the last minute is a losing strategy.
• Think five years ahead. What can you build if you dedicate yourself for five years?
• Develop skills. The more value you create, the more opportunities will find you.

I am grateful to Joan Petersilia and others who helped shape my thinking. Her research reinforced the importance of preparation—and that lesson has stayed with me for life.

Self-Directed Learning Question:

• If you had to create a five-year plan today, what would it look like? What skills, relationships, and systems will you build to ensure long-term success?

‍