The Power of a Positive Mindset: Overcoming Mental Challenges
Navigating the mental challenges of incarceration requires resilience and adaptability. In my book, Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, I described the strategies that worked for me. I remember one example of a changed situation in prison that troubled me.
Early in my sentence, I got a job in one of the prison’s offices. My supervisor, Ms. Stephens, supported my efforts to earn a university degree. She authorized me access to a word processor. With her permission, I could become more efficient at completing my schoolwork. Because of her support, I accelerated my progress in school, which led to my earning two degrees. I also learned more about technology.
When the prison promoted Ms. Stephens, I got a new supervisor who revoked the privilege I’d taken for granted. Without access to the writing tool, I felt a new mental hurdle. I felt the system would continue to take things away from me. Those losses made me feel like a prisoner.
To overcome such challenges, I learned I would have to live in the world as it existed rather than as I wanted it to be. At any time, the environment could change. I could lose privileges. I would have to develop strategies to get through those challenges. That’s what led to the multi-part approach to coping with crisis:
- Define success as the best possible outcome, given the current predicament.
- Create a plan.
- Put priorities in place.
- Adjust as necessary, but hold myself accountable.
- Execute the plan every day.
Our course, “Preparing for Success after Prison,” empowers individuals to develop their own coping strategies. Participants can deepen their learning by emailing [email protected] with “Request a Book” in the subject line to receive resources like “Earning Freedom,” “Success after Prison,” and others.
Critical Thinking:
- To foster personal growth, I challenge you to identify one aspect of your current environment that you can positively influence.
- How can you turn a limitation into an opportunity for development?
- This exercise is not just about adapting to your circumstances but thriving within them, using your inner strength and resilience.
