Aspiration

When we're living in crisis, we have to cope with so many disappointments that we can lose clarity of thought. In my case, authorities locked me in prison when I was only 23. I spent the first year in solitary confinement.

I had to find a way to stay motivated as those weeks turned into months, the months turned into years, and the years turned into decades. I had to keep pushing forward even when I received a systemic message that nothing mattered.

Learning From Frederick Douglass

I got inspired by reading the biography of Frederick Douglass. When he escaped from slavery, he didn't go on to pursue a life of leisure. Instead, he fought to abolish slavery and to turn the crisis of his life into one of meaning, relevance, and dignity, by helping others.

I aspired to follow in the footsteps of Frederick Douglass. That aspiration helped me set clear goals, and also helped me to build intrinsic motivation along the way. I didn't need the system to change. I needed to change.

Aspiration Is the Ability to See Forward

During my sentencing hearing, the judge warned that I would be an old man by the time I walked out of prison. He imposed a 45-year sentence. At that moment, I could not comprehend how to endure decades in prison.

Instead of focusing on the full sentence, I narrowed my attention to what I could accomplish in the first ten years. Breaking an overwhelming future into smaller horizons allowed me to regain a sense of control.

Inside that cell, I read the Bible and reflected on the misguided decisions that had brought me there. Stories about Joseph, the Prodigal Son, and the Parable of the Talents brought me hope. I felt ashamed, but I also felt something new taking shape: Determination.

Aspiration Connects Vision to Action

When I allowed myself to imagine life beyond confinement, I saw myself free, wearing a suit and tie, standing confidently before others without being judged for the worst decisions of my youth.

That vision gave me strength. Once I had a clear aspiration, I could:

• Build plans aligned with that vision
• Set priorities that supported long-term growth
• Make daily decisions with future impact in mind

Aspiration gave meaning to the goals I set and reinforced the attitude I chose to maintain. Over time, it helped me preserve dignity, prepare for a successful transition, and eventually achieve financial independence.

Aspiration Must Be Bigger Than the Moment

Aspiration does not require certainty. It requires courage.

Today, I still rely on the same principle. I aspire to share these lessons with more than one million people. Life advances through incremental progress. Even when we feel trapped, aspiration lights the path forward.