The Matthew Effect

During my time in prison, lessons from sociology, scripture, and modern thinkers influenced my adjustment. Instead of dwelling solely on the poor decisions that brought me there, I focused on envisioning a better future and finding ways to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Recently, I’ve been listening to The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. In it, he discusses the Matthew Effect, a concept rooted in both sociology and scripture. This idea relates to anyone facing adversity. Persistence and a commitment to personal growth relate to a person's prospects for success, but not always to recognition. We should expect obstacles.

What is the Matthew Effect? 

The Matthew Effect takes its name from the Gospel of Matthew. The verse reads, “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

Sociologist Robert K. Merton later applied this principle to the world of academia. He observed that those with established authority or credibility receive disproportionate recognition, while those without such standing often struggle to have their contributions acknowledged, no matter how valuable they may be. 

Think of a Nobel Prize winner who gets credited not only for their own groundbreaking work but also for ideas they’ve shepherded, while equally talented counterparts without such status remain in the shadows. 

This principle exists in all areas of life—including business, education, and even the personal development arena. If you’re starting from a disadvantaged position, whether it’s a lack of credentials, resources, or reputation, you’ve already experienced the challenges of the Matthew Effect firsthand.

As someone who worked to build credibility from inside a prison cell, I'll share what I observed: Your efforts may go unnoticed at first. But persistence and discipline can compound over time, ultimately creating opportunities that may seem out of reach today.

How I Experienced the Matthew Effect 

I spent the first year in solitary confinement. One resource I could count on was the Bible. I'd never been religious before, but I read the Bible daily and found hope in the message. Some stories really inspired me. They helped me realize that if I wanted to create opportunities, I couldn’t wait for the system to open them. I'd have to work on my own.

One story that gave me that message was about Joseph. I saw it as a story about resilience and faith in adversity. He was a young man with dreams, quite literally, of greatness. Yet, his life was anything but easy. Betrayed by his own brothers, Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt—a land foreign to him, where he had no family, no status, and no power. His situation seemed hopeless, yet he persevered. Through dedication and integrity, he rose to a position of trust in his master's household, only to be falsely accused and imprisoned.

Even in prison, Joseph never lost faith. He used his unique ability to interpret dreams, and this gift eventually opened the door for his miraculous rise to power.

From the depths of a prison cell, Joseph's mindset influenced new opportunities. He became a trusted advisor to Pharaoh, responsible for saving countless lives during a devastating famine.

The story of Joseph reminded me that even in our darkest moments, we can sow seeds of opportunity and we can nurture them. That message inspired me to see challenges as stepping stones, encouraging me to work toward my goals. Joseph's spirit and attitude became a blueprint for how I could turn my struggles into triumphs.

Just as Joseph, a man betrayed and imprisoned unjustly in the Old Testament, used his trials to prepare for the road ahead, I needed to transform my time in confinement into a period of preparation. 

I had to work harder than those who weren't in prison to open opportunities. By reading more, I could learn more. The more skills I developed, the more confidence I built. Eventually, I began writing to share all I was learning with others. It led to the concept of Earning Freedom through merit.

People didn’t rush to accept my ideas simply because I thought they were valuable. What the author described as "The Matthew Effect" felt like a part of my life while I served my sentence. Instead of being discouraged by a slow start, I focused on the long game.  It conditioned me to see life differently.

I built small, manageable wins one step at a time. Slowly but surely, my credibility began to grow. People started to notice my work. And just like the Matthew Effect suggests, those small initial wins began to snowball into larger opportunities. 

Consistency influences Success 

The Matthew Effect may feel discouraging at first. You might think, “How will anyone take me seriously when I’m starting from so far behind?” It's crucial remember that there will always be more opportunities in the future than in the past. But we prepare ourselves to work harder than others. Prestige and recognition compound for those who don't have the complication of a criminal conviction. We must develop consistency and discipline. 

Every essay you write, every profile you update, every advancement you make in your skillset does matter—even if it doesn’t feel like it today. The compound impact of consistent, quality work is undeniable. Over time, it changes not just how others perceive you, but how you perceive yourself. 

I encourage people to develop a profile on Prison Professors Talent. As I did, they should create a body of work by continually publishing updates. Whether it’s blog posts, essays, or book reports, the act of showing up every day builds momentum. And that momentum will lead to opportunities, and, I hope, higher levels of liberty. 

Lessons for Personal Development 

The Matthew Effect can serve as both a reminder and a challenge. Here’s how you can apply these lessons practically in your life:

1. Commit to Outworking Everyone 

When you come from a disadvantaged position, you already know that recognition won’t come overnight. Face it head-on. Prepare to work harder than others and put in the effort where others might not think to compete. 

2. Get Used to Not Getting Credit 

It’s frustrating to see others with more resources or credentials bask in recognition for less effort. Stay focused on producing real, measurable results. Your contributions will speak for themselves in time. 

3. Trust in Compounding Efforts 

Just as compound interest builds wealth over time, compound action and consistency build credibility and opportunities. The effort you put in today might reward you in ways you can’t yet see. 

4. Focus on Creating Value 

The more value you create through your work, the harder it becomes for others to ignore. Whether you’re writing, building businesses, or mentoring others, your ability to solve problems or inspire change will eventually pave the way for recognition and success. 

Questions for Self-Reflection 

• Have I allowed the perception of disadvantage to hold me back from taking action? 
• What small, consistent steps can I take daily to grow my credibility and contributions? 
• Am I focused on creating impact, even when recognition is delayed?  

No matter your starting point, the path to long-term success begins with a decision to take ownership of your actions. The Matthew Effect reminds us that the world doesn’t owe us recognition. We must work harder if we want to influence better outcomes, and we must prepare ourselves to work harder over time. 

Harness adversity as an opportunity for resilience training. Commit to consistency, focusing on what you want to become, regardless of what the system does. 

Disciplined actions open small opportunities. Seize them. Over time, your contributions will lead to more opportunity and build a brighter future. That strategy worked for me and I'm confident it can work for you.

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