January 20, 2014
Thanking Loved Ones From Federal Prison
Dear friends, family and followers,
First let me begin by thanking everyone for their love and support for my family and me. As I’m sure you all can imagine, the months and days that led up to my surrender to Taft Federal Prison Camp were filled with many fears and thoughts. Of what my life would be like during my stay.
Since my surrender 2 ½ weeks ago all my fears have disappeared. I have realized that there are many “normal” people here who simply just made a mistake like me. Many men tend to blame others or say that they did nothing wrong and that they shouldn’t be here. I have no one to blame but myself. I made a mistake, but I am determined not to let that mistake define me. I have made a promise to myself and others to use this time wisely and simply not waste it watching TV all day.
Goals are essential to my success, giving myself something to work towards. With some clearly defined goals it not only allows me to see my progress, but also for others to be able to hold me accountable which in turn motivates me everyday.
My main goals are to obtain my associate’s degree, read at least four educational books a month (I’m at 6 already) and to be in the best shape of my life when I leave here. I also intend to write at least two blog posts a month to keep everyone in my network updated on my progress. This will also help motivate me because I know you are all rooting for me and I don’t want to let anyone down more than I already have.
I would like to take a short time to share a book with you that I just finished called “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen M. R. Covey. I chose this book because after what I had been through the past year I felt I had some “trust” issues. This book not only helps you with trust issues in your personal life, but shows you how every aspect of business hinges on trust. Covey gives you simple steps to help you build and rebuild trust. You learn that just because trust has been broken doesn’t mean it can’t be rebuilt.
Trust creates inspiration. By having everyone in my network tell me that they believe in me and ‘trust” that I will make the best of my situation inspires me to succeed. It has taught me that self-trust is the most important and that without it you can’t begin to build trust in your business or personal life. “Trust that when your own heart is right, the universe will provide and things will work together for your good.”
In order to create trust in our business or organization we must first create trust in ourselves. As ethics becomes an increasing popular topic among society, one of the many lines throughout the book that stuck with me was, “You can’t have trust without ethics, but you can have ethics without trust. Trust which encompasses ethics is the bigger idea.”
I thank you all for taking the time to read this and for your continued trust in me during this journey. I look forward to writing another update soon.
Warren Schultz
