Choosing the Right Attitude

When I refer to the "right attitude," I am not talking about blind optimism or positive thinking detached from reality. I am referring to a disciplined decision: A commitment to keep moving forward, even when progress is slow and outcomes are delayed.

People in prison strengthen themselves when they focus on their attitude. They may not be able to control what others do, but they can always control how they respond to the challenges around them.

The Flywheel: Building Momentum

I first learned about the power of the right attitude by studying leadership lessons from Jim Collins. In his book Good to Great, he introduced the concept of the flywheel.

The flywheel describes how small, consistent efforts compound over time. Collins asks readers to imagine a massive wheel mounted on a vertical rod. At first, pushing the wheel requires tremendous effort. Despite the energy invested, it barely moves. But with persistence, each push builds on the last. Gradually, momentum increases. Eventually, the wheel begins to turn on its own.

This metaphor described my experience in prison perfectly.

During confinement, I focused on small, repeatable actions:

• Writing 1,000 words every day
• Studying leadership principles
• Using journals to document all that I learned
• Keeping my focus on the future I wanted to build

None of these actions produced immediate results. But taken together, day after day, they created momentum. One completed task made the next easier. One success reinforced belief in the process.

The BHAG: Sustaining Hope Over the Long Term

Collins also introduced the concept of a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. A BHAG is not a short-term target. It is a long-range vision that provides meaning and direction over years.

He describes a BHAG as emerging from the intersection of three questions:

• What are you deeply passionate about?
• What can you become exceptionally good at?
• What sustains your resource or economic engine?

While in prison, these questions helped me define a future beyond confinement. I became deeply passionate about learning from leaders and sharing those lessons with others. That long-term vision nurtured hope when daily progress felt slow.

Attitude Connects Daily Action to Long-Term Purpose

The flywheel and the BHAG work together:

• The flywheel governs daily behavior
• The BHAG provides long-term direction

When we develop the right attitude, we empower ourselves to connect both short-term and long-term goals. We do not develop the right attitude once and move on. We must check our attitude daily, and show our pursuit of excellence with the decisions we make.