Measuring Success from the Inside
Success, in here, has to be defined differently. It’s not about the cars, the deals, or the status anymore. That stuff evaporated the moment I walked through these gates. I don’t get to measure my worth by what’s in my account or how fast I can close something. Now, it’s about what I rebuild—and how.
For me, success means walking out of here as someone better than who walked in. That means staying healthy—mentally, physically, and emotionally. It means meeting every legal obligation tied to my conviction without excuse or complaint. It means not hiding from the damage I caused, but doing the slow, steady work of rebuilding trust with the people I love. It means working—really working—for everything I want on the other side, not waiting for luck or hoping someone bails me out.
If I can get out early, even better—that’s a clear signal I did something right. But that alone isn’t the goal. Success will be doing my time the right way, without shortcuts. It’s showing up every day and choosing growth over bitterness, structure over chaos, and humility over ego.
This place isn’t going to define me. What I do in here will. And if I’m doing it right, the results will speak for themselves—not just when I get out, but for the years that follow. That’s what success looks like now.
