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Prison Professors

Key concepts

Turn daily decisions into lasting progress

The Playbook pairs lessons from Michael Santos’s experience with reflection questions and writing exercises. Use these concepts to build a practical plan and put it into action.

Become the CEO of your life

Take responsibility for the decisions you can control. Think strategically, use your time deliberately, and build a plan for the future you want.

Define success and set clear goals

Describe what a meaningful life looks like to you. Turn that vision into specific goals, daily priorities, and milestones you can measure.

Build attitude, aspiration, and action

Develop a mindset that supports growth, imagine the person you want to become, and connect those aspirations to consistent action.

Measure progress with accountability

Track how you spend your time and what you accomplish. Review your progress honestly, adjust your plan, and keep moving toward your goals.

Live with awareness and authenticity

Stay open to lessons, relationships, and opportunities. Align your choices with your values, recognize incremental achievements, and practice appreciation.

Build a documented body of work

Use your biography, journals, book reports, and release plan to show what you are learning and how you are preparing for success upon release.

Make the Playbook part of your routine

You can begin on your own, with your family, or as part of a learning group. Return to your answers as your goals and circumstances change.

  1. Read and reflect

    Work through a chapter and answer its questions in your own words. Connect the lesson to a decision you can make today.

  2. Put your plan to work

    Choose a concrete action, set a deadline, and keep a record of what you do. Review your progress regularly.

  3. Document your growth

    Save your writing and build a profile that shows your effort over time. Keep adding to your body of work.

Explore the free Playbook course

Read the Playbook

Read the full workbook below, or download the PDF to keep a copy for offline reading and writing.

Download the Free PDF