When I began serving my federal prison sentence in 1987, I was 23. I’d never been incarcerated before. Since the bad decisions of my youth would result in my serving decades in prison, I accepted that I would have to change.  Rather than living for the moment, I trained myself to make values-based, goal-oriented decisions. This commitment to change made an enormous difference through the 26 years that I served in prisons of every security level. The commitment allowed me to return to society much stronger than anyone would’ve expected.

I completed my obligation to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on August 12, 2013. That means that on January 1, 2014 I begin my first full year in society. I’m determined to continue my commitment of leading a values-based, goal-oriented life. I urge others to hold me accountable, as I will reveal my daily progress through the daily logs I publish. Below I define the values and goals that will guide my decisions:

Read my daily entries by clicking here

• Community

  • I place a high value on the support network I’ve built. To strengthen my network further, I will take methodical steps, continuously reaching out to meet new people. Further, I must live transparently. During the year 2014, I will continue this commitment of documenting my journey. My website and social media postings will keep a daily log of my activities, showing how I work every day to build a sustainable life after longer than 26 years as a prisoner. By living authentically, consistent with my value categories and goals, I strive to prove worthy of the community that supports me.
  • Clear goal that defines whether I’m proving worthy of my community:
    • Write one daily journal entry that summarizes the work I’m doing to advance my projects.
      • Purpose of this goal: Shows that I’m living authentically, consistent with the values that define success for me.

• Discipline

  • Prison taught me the importance of discipline. In order to achieve higher levels of success, I must continuously turn away from distractions. Every decision I make must align with success as I define it. By living with discipline, I’m confident that I can achieve higher levels of performance. I will measure my discipline by living in accordance with these value categories that guide my every thought and action
  • Clear goals that define whether I’m living a disciplined life:
    • Track my work hours each week on my daily log entries.
    • Accumulate more than 3,000 hours of measurable work hours during 2014.
    • Use daily log to record my fitness commitment each day.
    • Use daily log to record my weight each day that I have access to a scale.
    • Never allow my weight to exceed 172 pounds.
    • Submit monthly report to federal probation by the 2^nd of each month.
      • Purpose of these goals: Ensure that I hold myself accountable and maximize the possibility of achieving the level of success that Carole and I agreed to strive toward in incremental, measurable ways.

• Fitness

  • I turn 50 on January 15, 2014. Staying fit requires that I exercise regularly. Work responsibilities mean that I have less time available for exercise than in the past. I will set more modest marathon goals in 2014, as my priority must be developing my business. Running will remain my primary fitness exercise throughout the year, but I cannot make a commitment to running every day. Instead, I will use the Nike Running App on my iPhone to log my progress on a weekly basis.
    • Clear goals that define whether I’m living in accordance with my commitment to fitness:
      • I will run 2,400 miles during the year of 2014
      • I will track my distance every day on my daily log journal entry.
      • I will keep my weight below 172 pounds throughout the year.
        • Purpose of these goals: To hold myself accountable for a daily commitment to fitness.

• God

  • Reading the Bible comforted and strengthened me during the 26 years that I lived as a prisoner. Although I did not attend organized religious services, I always felt God’s presence in my life and I continue to live with gratitude for the countless blessings that come my way.
    • Clear goal that measures my commitment to God:
      • Each day I will say a prayer in solitude, thanking God for guiding me through the challenges of confinement and for strengthening me as I acclimate to society.
        • Purpose of this goal: To express gratitude for the blessings I receive.

• Industriousness

  • The bad decisions of my past mean that I must create my own income opportunities. And since my criminal history resulted in 26 years of imprisonment, I must work exceptionally hard to prepare for retirement. I will celebrate my 50^th birthday on January 15, 2014. It will be the first birthday I celebrate in society since my release from the prison system. I must live industriously, always striving to create value in every way possible. By focusing on living an industrious life, taking incremental action steps, I can carve out my own destiny.
    • Clear goals that define my commitment to living an industrious life:
      • During 2014 I will participate in direct marketing campaigns designed to reach at least 100 prospective clients every month.
      • I will write a monthly newsletter to describe progress we’re making to spread Straight-A Guide Life Skills Program.
      • I will write a minimum of five articles each month for my website or social media.
      • I will teach one more semester at San Francisco State University.
        • Purpose of these goals: To ensure that I keep focused throughout the year.

• Integrity

  • During my imprisonment I found strength in the wisdom of others who triumphed over hardship. A lesson from Gandhi convinced me that happiness comes when an individual keeps harmony with everything he says, everything he thinks, and everything he does. I will live in accordance with that values-based, goal-oriented lesson.
    •  Clear goals that define my commitment to living a life of integrity:
      • Every day I will keep everything I think, everything I say, and everything I do in harmony.
      • I will live a values-based, goal-oriented life.
        • Purpose of these goals: To ensure that I’m always working to prove worthy of the support that I receive.

• Marriage

  • I am blessed with love from an extraordinary woman. Carole came into my life when I still had longer than ten years to serve in prison. She devoted herself to me and inspired me to work harder through the time that I served inside. On the day that prison authorities released me, Carole welcomed me with open arms, 100 percent devoted to building a life with me. I will strive to prove worthy of her love.
    • Clear goal that define my commitment to marriage:
      • Each day I will reassert my love and devotion to Carole.
      • I will share all of my plans and goals with Carole.
      • I will make her a part of every decision that relates to the course we set for our future.
      • In 2014 I will devote one full day each month to Carole, allowing her to choose any activity that we can enjoy together.
        • Purpose of these goals: To continue growing together with Carole in our marriage and nurturing our love.