Harnessing Ambition

Ambition as Fuel

At the start of my prison journey, I set high ambitions for what I wanted to achieve during my time served. I visualized the career I wanted to build. The more clarity I could bring to that vision, the better I could use the decades I served inside to prepare.

My ambitions required that I set a three-part strategy. Every day, I would work to:

• Educate myself
• Build a support network
• Contribute to society

This three-part clarity guided my steps. I hoped to get out with my dignity intact and opportunities to prosper.

Steps to Build Ambition

• Set High Goals: Ambition starts with setting goals that challenge you. These should be things you truly desire to achieve that will require determination and hard work. The danger isn't in setting goals that are too high but in setting minimal goals and failing to make further progress.
• Plan Your Path: Once you know where you want to go, the next step is to plan how you will get there. Learn new skills and build a stronger mindset.
• Stay Committed: Ambition requires commitment. It means sticking with your goals even when progress slows or obstacles arise.
• Seek Growth: Always look for opportunities to learn and grow. Ambition requires us to work toward becoming a better version of ourselves along the way.
• Celebrate Progress: Recognize and celebrate progress. We should acknowledge each small step toward our goals because they set us on a path to new opportunities.

Channeling Ambition Productively

Ambition can be a positive or negative force. Unchecked ambition led many people to prison in the first place. The key is channeling ambition through ethical and lawful means.

Remember, ambition is more than just the desire to achieve—it's about the determination and hard work you're willing to put in to reach your goals. As you continue your journey of personal development, your ambition will be a powerful driving force toward your success upon release.