It’s now December 31, 2014. I completed my obligation to the Bureau of Prisons 506 days ago. I adhered to a disciplined plan to carry me through the 26 years that I lived as a federal prisoner. That same level of discipline continues to guide my choices now that I’m free.
Discipline requires that I take some time at the end of each year to contemplate. I have taken that time to think about how I want my life to look at the end of 2015, and the path that will lead me to that vision. The strategy requires that I define the values by which I profess to live, and then to set clear goals that will demonstrate my commitment to those values. I also publish those goals and I invite the world to hold me accountable.
Readers may click the following link to see what I wrote at the end of 2013.
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Link to “Running Log” to see how I stay on track with my fitness goals
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Link to PrisonProfessor.com to see my business
I recorded my progress in 2014 through daily journal entries, but I’m changing that practice in 2015 to write weekly entries instead. I’ll still publish those entires on my daily log and in social media, as my commitment to living a transparent life remains a priority. I use these entries as teaching tools to show others how a disciplined, deliberate life leads to success.
As we advance into 2015, Carole and I are in a different position. We’re more stable. We own a home in the San Francisco Bay area that we rent to responsible tenants. We have built a strong savings account. We’re approaching Carole’s graduation from her master’s program at The University of San Francisco. And I’m launching a new business with PrisonProfessor.com.
Accordingly, in light of the progress we made in 2014, and the responsibilities I have at the start of 2015, I’ve drafted the following plan to guide me through the year.
- Community
- It’s crucial that I continue working to live transparently. I want to show others that an individual can build a methodical path to success. This commitment will require that I continue writing about my activities. Through my social media postings and blog entries, I intend to show the world that I am determined to prove worthy of the support I receive from my community.
- Clear goalthat defines whether I’m proving worthy of my community:
- Write weekly journal entries that summarize progress I made during each week of the year. At the end of the year, I will have written 52 summaries that show my work during the given week.
- Purpose of this goal: Shows that I’m living authentically, consistent with the values that define success for me. At the end of 2015, I’ll have further documentation that shows how hard I worked. I can use this documentation as a teaching tool to show others. Further, the discipline will help me focus on steps I must take each day to succeed.
- Write weekly journal entries that summarize progress I made during each week of the year. At the end of the year, I will have written 52 summaries that show my work during the given week.
- Discipline
- Life is changing for Carole and me. I intend to make 2015 a “transition” year. That means I will start to let go of the obsessive tendencies that guided my journey through prison. We are getting more stable now and we need to spend more time together. Discipline will continue to guide my decisions, but part of the discipline will include allowing more flexibility into my routine so that Carole and I can share more time together.
- Clear goalsthat define whether I’m living a disciplined life:
- Write at least 300 blog entries for PrisonProfessor during 2015.
- Write a weekly update for MichaelSantos.com to track my progress during the year.
- Track our family’s financial standing each week.
- Live beneath our means financially to grow our net worth in accordance with the goals that Carole and I set.
- 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 2ndof 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.
- Clear goalsthat define whether I’m living a disciplined life:
- Life is changing for Carole and me. I intend to make 2015 a “transition” year. That means I will start to let go of the obsessive tendencies that guided my journey through prison. We are getting more stable now and we need to spend more time together. Discipline will continue to guide my decisions, but part of the discipline will include allowing more flexibility into my routine so that Carole and I can share more time together.
- Fitness
- I turn 51 on January 15, 2015. 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 fitness goals in 2015, as my priority must be developing my business. Running will remain my primary fitness exercise throughout the year. I will use the Nike Running App on my iPhone to log my progress on a weekly basis.
- Clear goalsthat define whether I’m living in accordance with my commitment to fitness:
- I will run a minimum of 2,000 miles during the year of 2015
- 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.
- Clear goalsthat define whether I’m living in accordance with my commitment to fitness:
- I turn 51 on January 15, 2015. 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 fitness goals in 2015, as my priority must be developing my business. Running will remain my primary fitness exercise throughout the year. I will use the Nike Running App on my iPhone to log my progress on a weekly basis.
- 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 goalthat 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.
- 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.
- Clear goalthat measures my commitment to 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.
- 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 51st birthday on January 15, 2015. It will be the second 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 2015, Carole and I will purchase a second piece of real estate as part of our retirement plan.
- I will publish an average of at least 25 articles each month for PrisonProfessor to build awareness of my brand.
- I will write at least one ebook during the year.
- Purpose of these goals: To ensure that I keep focused throughout the year.
- Clear goals that define my commitment to living an industrious life:
- 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 51st birthday on January 15, 2015. It will be the second 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.
- 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.
- Clear goals that define my commitment to living a life of 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.
- 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 2015 I will begin to spend more time with Carole. We will enjoy at least 4 three-day weekends together that are not work related.
- Purpose of these goals: To continue growing together with Carole in our marriage and nurturing our love.
- Clear goal that define my commitment to 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.