Life inevitably presents each of us with crises and setbacks—situations that require thoughtful, strategic responses. I’ve certainly faced my share of obstacles. Yet as I look back, I know that the challenges I faced stemmed from the bad decisions I made during the recklessness of youth. One bad decision led to another. By the time I reached my 20s, I was breaking the law. When I was 23, authorities arrested me. It wasn’t until after a jury convicted me that I realized I had to make better decisions.
We all face challenges and setbacks. We all can start making better decisions to get back on track. I learned those lessons early in my journey through prison.
Facing challenges effectively can mean the difference between achieving lasting success or experiencing ongoing frustration. Recently, I read a well-known advertisement that the The Wall Street Journal. It shows the power of strategic decisions. Every decision we make puts us on the pathway to success, mediocrity, or cycles of failure.
The ad told a tale of two individuals. Both came from similar backgrounds, attended the same college, and were hired by the same company at roughly the same time. Yet, years later, their career paths diverged dramatically. One became president of the company, achieving exceptional success and influence, while the other remained in lower-level positions, never reaching his full potential. The ad compellingly asked, “What made the difference?”
The answer lies in the strategic decisions each individual made along the way. Of course, the ad wanted to prompt people to read The Wall Street Journal. But the message, to me, was that if we want to reach a higher level of success, in any area of life, we’ve got to make good strategic decisions.
Strategic decisions involve careful thought about the future, an assessment of the current situation, we’re in, and a clear plan we design to achieve desired outcomes. We cannot change the past, but we can certainly prepare for a better future. We must make choices every day, and all of them should align with the strategy we put in place.
This concept applies directly to all areas of our lives. Regardless of where we find ourselves—in the business world, navigating personal challenges, or even within the confines of a prison—we advance our life when we recognize the value of making strategic choices.
To make effective strategic decisions, start by honestly assessing your current circumstances. Identify where you are and determine your resources. Next, clearly define what success looks like for you—establish a vision or desired outcome.
Then, put together a practical, actionable plan. This plan should include specific strategic choices designed to move you forward toward your goal. Importantly, anticipate potential obstacles. Forethought allows you to develop contingencies, prepare solutions, and reduce the risk of getting derailed.
In my book, Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, I wrote about the strategic decisions I had to make along the way. Those decisions, at incremental stages of my journey, influenced the opportunities that opened for me along the way. I had to think about where I was at a given time, and what steps I could take to climb to a higher level of liberty. I started my term in solitary confinement, went to high-security prisons, then to medium-security prisons, then to low-security prisons, then to camps, then home after 9,500 days in prison. Strategic decisions led to my becoming a multi-millionaire after my release.
- What decisions will you make?
- How will you prepare?
- In what ways are you starting today?
People in prison face unique and significant challenges. While inside, we’re separated from the ones we love and those who love us. To build a successful life in prison and beyond, start making strategic decisions that align with how you define success. Socratic questions will help:
- In what ways can I use resources around me to prepare for succecss?
- What obstacles am I likely to encounter?
- What actions can I take to influence a better future outcome?
- How will prison administrators and stakeholders perceive my choices?
- How will I secure employment and support myself financially upon release?
Answering these questions strategically allows individuals to prioritize their activities, allocate resources efficiently, and make informed decisions. By consistently aligning actions with long-term objectives, individuals improve their chances of a successful outcome.
Strategic decision-making requires practice. Develop this powerful skill to put yourself on the pathway to new opportunities, regardless of what adversity you face. Each choice, carefully considered, becomes a stepping-stone toward a brighter, more secure future.
You might be at the start of the judicial process, developing a mitigation strategy, or preparing for the career you want to develop. The more effectively you can make strategic decisions, the more you will put yourself on the path to restoring confidence.
As you continue to develop your decision-making skills, it’s important to remember that progress is not always linear. There will be times when you may face setbacks or obstacles, but these should not discourage you from continuing to learn and improve.
It can also be helpful to seek guidance and advice from others who have experience in making difficult decisions. Learning from their insights and experiences can provide valuable perspective and help refine your own approach. Take the time to analyze your choices, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes as needed.
I always recommend that people in prison memorialize the process, too. Start by building a profile on Prison Professors Talent. Then, develop the profile, showing how you’re living as if you’re the CEO of your life, architecting a plan to build a better life.
