To overcome any challenge, it’s essential to keep our heads in the game. While I served 26 years in prison, I learned invaluable lessons from great leaders, as described on the Founder’s Page. I wrote about these lessons in our Straight-A Guide program, dedicating an entire module to the importance of awareness. Recognizing our surroundings (and our inner potential) leads us to higher levels of performance.
On the founder’s page, I cited many philosophers who reinforced my message of personal accountability. Yet words of wisdom from two philosophers encapsulate all I learned about awareness:
- Aristotle: “Know thyself”
- Sun-Tzu: “Know thy enemy”
When we acknowledge the world as it is, including potential obstacles, we can pivot effectively. We’ve got to keep our head in the game. With ruthless pragmatism, we position ourselves to overcome setbacks and seize opportunities.
SWOT Analysis for Strategic Awareness
Awareness begins with honest self-reflection. A SWOT Analysis is a strategic tool that helps us identify:
- Strengths: Internal advantages that set us apart.
- Weaknesses: Internal vulnerabilities that may hinder us.
- Opportunities: External factors we can leverage to our advantage.
- Threats (Enemies): External challenges that can derail progress.
My Example:
- Strengths: While serving my sentence, I developed a self-directed work ethic. Rather than waiting for instructions, I knew what I had to work toward and how to prepare. I identified the results I wanted and worked relentlessly to achieve them. That commitment empowered me to build an entirely new life and become a multimillionaire after my release, meaning that I no longer work for a paycheck. Instead, I work to make an impact on the lives of others.
- Weaknesses: I carry the label of “felon.” Forces in society may use that background against me, threatening my prospects for liberty and peace.
- Opportunities: By focusing on contribution over compensation, I find personal fulfillment in my work. I do not accept payment from individuals for work. This choice lessons my vulnerability from potential enemies. There are many people in the world who do not necessarily want to succeed themselves, but they want to see others fail, and they plot ways to bring others down. As a person who served multiple decades in prison, I’ll always be a target of such people.
- Threats (Enemies): Some people prefer mediocrity, resenting anyone who transcends it. They don’t necessarily strive to succeed themselves, but they do want to see others fail. By recognizing that possibility, I can safeguard my future through strategic decisions that minimize risk.
Awareness in a Changing World
As I write, our country is about to swear in Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Changes will come—social, political, and economic. To stay on track, remain aware of those changes. Keep your head in the game. Adapt where necessary. Use a SWOT Analysis on your personal and professional life so you can accelerate your pathway to success, as we teach in our Straight-A Guide. Stay aware of what others will do, and make those people aware of what you’re doing to bring value to the lives of others.
Self-Directed Learning Question:
- Reflect on the “know thyself” and “know your enemy” principles. In what ways can a SWOT Analysis help you sharpen your awareness so you can adjust your approach—personally or professionally—to overcome obstacles and strive for your highest potential?