Visualize

Success in life doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of clarity, consistent effort, and adaptability. One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my 26 years in prison is that having a long-term vision is more than just inspiring dreams. The vision can help us develop a compass, guiding decisions when times get tough. A strong vision gives us the motivation to push forward and the clarity to know where we are headed.

It is the reason we covered “Defining Success” in the first module for our course, The Straight-A Guide. We’ve got to define success. While incarcerated, I always visualized how I wanted to get out. I wanted my dignity intact, with opportunities to prosper. That vision influenced my adjustment through the decades I served, and then carried over to the career I built when I got out, after 9,500 days of imprisonment. It led to my becoming a multimillionaire, and opened freedom of time to work on projects that had meaning to me.

From my experience, I can confidently say that anything worthwhile starts with a compelling vision. This guide will walk you through how to define your life vision and, more importantly, how to stick to it.

Why a Long-Term Vision Matters

A compelling long-term vision changes everything. It gives your daily decisions purpose and provides a sense of direction no matter the obstacles. While in prison, I realized that without a vision, I could waste decades. My vision became my anchor. I wanted to educate myself, contribute to society, and build a support network.

Successful individuals also rely on their vision. Oprah Winfrey, for example, credits her media and philanthropic empire to her ability to think ahead while staying aligned with her values. Vision is a force multiplier; it amplifies your efforts and gives meaning to your progress.

With the right vision, setbacks become lessons. Without it, setbacks can feel like walls. Your vision determines whether you keep moving.

How to Define Your Vision

Step 1. Engage in Self-Reflection

Clarity comes from within. Here’s how you can begin uncovering your deepest aspirations:

• Visualization

Close your eyes and envision your ideal life 5, 10, or 15 years from now. What stands out? Where are you? Who are you with?

• Journaling Practice

Write about your perfect future in detail. Ask yourself:

• What excites me about getting out of bed each morning?
• What would I regret not achieving if my time were limited?
• What legacy do I want to leave behind?
• Meditation or Quiet Time

Disconnect from distractions to tune into the goals that align with your core values—not just societal expectations.

Step 2. Align Your Vision with Your Core Values

For your vision to energize you, it must align with who you fundamentally are. Ask yourself:

• What drives my happiness?
• Which virtues or principles matter most to me?

For example, while in prison, integrity, resilience, and contribution became pillars of my vision. I aligned every step of my plan to rebuild a better life around these core values.

Step 3. Think Big but Ground It in Your Passions

Tony Robbins said, “People are not lazy. They simply have impotent goals.” Set goals that scare you and excite you. A vibrant vision is aspirational but achievable when broken into smaller milestones.

Think beyond limitations. For instance, Elon Musk imagines colonizing Mars. Your “Mars,” metaphorically, might be redefining your career, healing relationships, or making a lasting contribution to your community.

Breaking Your Vision into Actionable Steps

A solid vision requires steps to bring it to life. Without a roadmap, even the best vision will remain a dream.

1. Establish Long-Term Goals

These are the keystones. Long-term goals should connect directly to the bigger picture you envision.

Example:

• A student who dreams of graduating with honors.
• An entrepreneur who envisions launching a socially impactful startup.
• A parent who visualizes a future of providing opportunities and security for their family.

2. Break It into Medium- and Short-Term Goals

Long-term goals can feel overwhelming without breaking them into smaller chunks. Focus on 1 to 5 years for medium goals and create yearly/quarterly actionable goals from there.

Example:

If your long-term vision is to become a published author:

• Medium Goal → Write the first draft of your book within 1 year.
• Short-Term Goal → Write 2 pages daily.

3. Daily and Weekly Habits Matter

Long-term success reflects the compounding impact of consistent habits. Develop habits supporting your plan.

• Journaling to clarify new insights.
• Daily reading, studying, or networking to sharpen skills aligning with your vision.
• Fitness routines to sustain physical energy and resolve.

I used this principle to write over 1,000 words every day in solitary confinement. The result? When I left prison, I had published books and a portfolio that demonstrated resilience and growth.

Staying Committed

Obstacles are inevitable. To stick with your vision, you need systems.

1. Build in Accountability

• Enlist accountability partners—mentors or trusted close allies.
• Track actionable progress through tools like apps or old-fashioned checklists.

Set daily metrics—track the wins and where improvement is needed.

2. Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt

Fear is natural but not permanent.

• What if I fail? Reframe as a lesson learned.
• Practice cognitive restructuring (a method I picked up from reading Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning). Change your internal monologue to focus on growth.

3. Discipline Trumps Motivation

Understand that progress relies on actions, not feelings. Rely less on motivation, more on routine. Systems like habit stacking—pairing a new action with existing habits—create momentum.

For example, write 250 words after brewing coffee each morning.

4. Adapt Your Vision Over Time

Your vision should grow with you. Life changes—be open to refining your vision while staying true to its core. Remember, subtle shifts refine focus without losing sight of the end goal.

Practical Tools to Keep Your Vision Alive

1. Vision Boards – Create a visual representation of your long-term objectives. Physical boards keep dreams tangible.
2. Daily Affirmations – Repeating affirmations strengthens resolve (e.g., “I prepare daily for the opportunities I want to create”).
3. Journaling for Progress Measurement – Journals not only clarify insights but track milestones reached and recalibrate goals when needed.
4. Community and Influences – Surround yourself with mentors, encouraging peers, or like-minded communities aligned with growth.

During my prison term, I consistently reached out to mentors through letters. Their feedback expanded my perspective and deepened my progress.

Reinforce Your Vision Daily

Remember, a robust life vision becomes your guiding star. It influences whom you speak to, how you spend resources, and even what choices you make on minor decisions. Your vision is the anchor through adversities, and regular self-check-ins ensure alignment.

Call to Action

Look ahead and ask yourself:

• What does my ideal future look like?
• What small action today aligns me closer to this vision?

Write down one clear action step aligned with your vision—execute it within the next 24 hours. If you want personalized guidance defining life visions or milestones—a path my mentors taught me—schedule a time to connect with Prison Professors Talent. Together, we’ll help you refine your aspirations, giving you actionable steps toward your goals.

Self-Directed Learning Question:

• What is one achievable first step you can take today to move closer to a brighter, more fulfilling future guided by your vision?

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