The week got off to a great start on Sunday at Sullivan Correctional Facility. I began the first session by explaining to participants that Think Outside the Cell Week is not simply about thinking outside one's physical prison cell. It's about thinking outside the emotional and psychological cells that we confine ourselves in.

I told the men that everyone--whether they're behind prison walls or not--is imprisoned in some way. They may be imprisoned by anger or fear, or jealousy and envy. Or maybe it's procrastination that's keeping them shackled. Incorporating the themes of the Think Outside the Cell Week in their lives can take them from their personal form of imprisonment to freedom and success.

The first day's activities included an exercise on personal branding, so that participants could explore what they do well, who they view themselves as, what they stand for and how best to present themselves. They were given real-life examples of people who successfully rebranded themselves, including Magic Johnson. Although an HIV/AIDS diagnosis ended his basketball career, he is not known for that but as one of this nation's most successful entrepreneurs.

And when the participants were asked what descriptions or words came to mind when they were shown pictures of Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., the responses ranged from revolutionary to respected leader.

For none of the participants did the words prisoner or inmate or convict come to mind--although Mandela, Malcolm X and King all spent time behind bars. They transcended those labels.

By thinking outside the cell, embracing our personal power and living up to our potential, we can, too.