Chuck Huckaby of the Work at Home Business Opportunities Weblog is headed to prison to talk to two pre-release groups next week, and he needs your help:
So what would you tell a guy who’s probably never had a father, a positive example, etc. about how to restart their life? Most have places to live and jobs lined up. But for them, big money was what the drug dealers earned.They can’t envision and upper middle class (or middle class) life without the earning power of dealing.
What would you tell them?
Photo by thomas_sly.
FMF on March 3rd, 2006 at 11:24 am
If there’s some time before they get out, I’d tell them to learn about basic money management principles (spend less than you earn, invest, etc.) and even supply them with some basic materials.
If their release is immediate, I’m not sure what I’d say.
John Henry Carlson on March 3rd, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Prison life is controlled. When you get out prison, you will only control one single thing. Strangely enough that is also the one single thing you also controlled in prison, that’s the activity that goes on between your two ears, your thinking. The only thing anyone actually controls is his or her own thoughts. Your thoughts control and establish what the reminder of your life will be. If you think you can, you probably will, but if you think you can’t, you also probably right. So spend some of your remaining time in prison and use your mind constructively to decide what you’re going to do with the rest of your days, because you are what you think. And unfortunately your thoughts earlier in life lead you to your current situation, but now you have the opportunity to start again. Not exactly a fresh start, but a new start, because you still will need to deal with the reality of just being released from prison. That can be a negative or a positive depending on how you decide to live with it and that’s determined by how you control your thoughts. In reality everyone on earth controls only their thoughts and the actions which your thoughts create. You’ve experienced something you want to forget, but use it as a springboard to create constructive, positive thoughts and lifestyle choices. And ask for help when you see your thoughts headed the wrong direction. You do just find if that’s what you want.
Mark Welford on March 3rd, 2006 at 7:39 pm
What can you tell them? First life is not all about fast cars and money.If they have really learned anything they will know this as soon as they leave the prison gates.The first time they can open and close a door, listen to birds singing, smell fresh cut grass, smell the salt air of the sea… it’s something we all take for granted and shouldn’t. It’s called FREEDOMMMMMMM. ;)
Lee on March 4th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
I don’t understand this comment at all: “MOST have places to live AND JOBS LINED UP”? Are you kidding? Not the people I know. And, they certainly do NOT have computers to accomplish the entrepreneurial lifestyle advertised on this website.
Hank Heath on March 4th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
You are lucky. You have knowledge that few other Americans possess. First, you realize that a job is not going to get you the life you want. Second, you know what failure is. And then, you know the price you pay if you make the wrong choices. This is good thing. Knowing - in your bones - that failure has a price AND that you can survive failure can give you the confidence to make it in building a business.
I see to many people, working in a job or starting a business, who do not know what you know. So, here’s the secret. Start a business - sole proprietorship. Doesn’t matter what it is. Just start something small. And, expect it to fail. Plan to fail. Keep your expenses low. Owe nobody. Sell what you love.
When the business fails, you’ll survive. You already know how to do that. No big deal. Start another one. Same rules.
Eventually, you’ll have a small - very small - business that doesn’t fail. Keep expecting it to fail, and keep on surviving. One day at a time.
You cannot help but to be successful on that diet.
In other words, use the martial arts on life: turn your weakmesses into your strengths.
Ron on March 5th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
Take a look at Johny Cash!
When your going, you got to keep going or you will never get there. Life is like a road but if you stop, that’s the end of your road. From what I read the most successful people just keep going down that road. Not always being successful, but in time they get where they’re going. If you do nothing you get nothing. Look for a positive attitude people who are going and have been there. Not for people who never get there. In work at home,opportunities or in whatever you are wanting to be. The power is yours. You are what you believe so believe in yourself and the power of a positive attitude will take you there.