The Secret of Vision

The Secret of Vision

Many people ask how I manage to stay so positive and happy despite being in prison for so long. I often hear comments like, “You smile so much; you don’t seem like you should be here,” or “You’re way too happy to be in jail.” When I’m asked these questions or hear such comments, I simply smile. But when I take a moment to reflect on the true answer, it’s far from simple: it’s a combination of self-development, the wisdom from hundreds of books, countless podcasts, TED Talks, and hours spent with mentors and coaches. It’s also the undeniable love and faith I experience and feel every day.

However, one tool that stands out—a simple yet powerful utility that often gets overlooked and oversimplified—is the development of a strong personal vision.

Many of the men I meet in here, both young and old, are lost simply because they don’t have a vision for their lives. The best analogy I can offer, which I’ve shared during my prison talks, is this: Imagine you’re hitchhiking, trying to reach a specific destination. A car pulls up, and you ask if they can take you closer to where you want to go. But if you’re unsure of where you’re headed and why, it becomes easy for that person to “help” by taking you in a direction or to a destination you never intended to go.

Having a clear vision and understanding why you have that vision saves you time and prevents you from straying off your path. You’ll be less distracted, not easily persuaded to follow someone else’s path, and ultimately, you’ll be happier. I review my vision often, measuring the progress I make toward it. I think about and strategize how to turn my vision into reality. Having a purpose brings me happiness; having that end destination gives me clarity. Progress toward my purpose gives me joy and fulfillment.

I know this because when I don’t make progress, I feel frustrated, annoyed, and irritated. But eventually, those roadblocks force me to become more creative in solving the current problem, getting me back on the path of progress. Vision allows you to navigate tough times—it’s a secret weapon. It’s more than just a dream or a goal. Having a vision for your life can be the difference between living a fulfilled or unfulfilled life.

Remember, you don’t need to reach the end destination to feel fulfilled, nor do you need to achieve everything to be happy. You simply need to have a vision and keep making progress toward it.