Arnold Barnes explains how thriving in prison requires developing a purposeful routine, working toward personal growth, and turning incarceration time into an asset.
There’s a difference between doing time and letting time do you. Like most people, most inmates walk around as if in a waking dream without any direction, lacking a plan or purpose, and so are slaves to the whims of the prisons they occupy. They just kinda go with the flow, doing whatever everyone else is doing in a sheep-like manner.
But you don’t have to read the scriptures just because they’ve called church. You don’t have to exercise just because they’ve called recreation. And you don’t have to eat just because they’ve called chow.
Most inmates are accustomed to being fed. But the day-to-day operations of prisons are so unpredictable that they may run breakfast anywhere between 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Lunch may run anywhere between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dinner at 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Because of this, most inmates spend the majority of their time hungry and anxiously awaiting master to feed them. Being subject to the ebb and flow of the institution isn’t doing time. That’s the time doing you.
I’m a vegetarian, and I only eat between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Yet, I’m not bothered by the unit’s feeding schedule, because my routine has my body accustomed to eating on my schedule. If they run lunch at 10:00 a.m., I take a chip bag with me to the chow hall and bring the food back to eat later.
Becoming Something Through Your Time
It’s my philosophy that everyone wants to have things but no one wants to be something. Everyone wants to drive nice cars “like a boss,” but no one wants to put in the effort to “be a boss”—not recognizing that if you instead focus on becoming something, you’ll attract everything that comes with being that. Hence the word “becoming.”
Thriving in prison means turning your time into an asset. Realize that in prison, the potential for education and the transformation of one’s character and personality are practically limitless.
I’m assuming by now you’re past surviving prison and have started to find your way. Now you’re ready to work on yourself and use this time to your advantage. You’ve found a focal point for the direction you wish to take in life. You’ve been reading self-help books and are now ready to apply the information. After watching others, develop your own routine—something done over and over again to develop a skill.
My Daily Routine for Thriving in Prison
I’m going to give you an example of thriving in prison by using my personal routine as an example. I meditate, do yoga, study ancient scriptures, walk a mile, attend a two-hour law library session, and do 100 pull-ups by 8:00 a.m. Then I shower and read the likes of Tony Robbins, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and James Allen while waiting for chow.
By noon, I’ve eaten and have now begun writing in my journal and articles about prison life. Around 2 p.m., I’m likely taking one of the innumerable educational courses offered on the tablet, like how to start a nonprofit organization or how to write grants.
Once back from last chow, I sit down with mi amigo in the day room for my daily Spanish lessons. Then I may listen to one of the many podcasts available, like School of Greatness, Insights and Perspectives, or Rich Dad Poor Dad. I eat my last meal at around 6 p.m., and I’m in a dead sleep by 9:30 p.m. Ready to do it all again tomorrow.
Turn Your Time Into an Asset
I promise you, when you find a routine that befits your personality, the time will start to fly by. No more boredom and monotony. Now your days are filled with tasks to be fulfilled, challenges, hobbies, and other stimulating activities geared to transforming you into the person you’re meant to become.
Develop a routine, then stick with it. This is how you turn your time into an asset.
