"Are you available to speak?" The text came five weeks after a client first retained our services. Despite knowing how critical it is to prepare, he had gone dark. Several team members reached out, but there was no response. Then one day, he texted me back, and we finally had the conversation that should've happened much sooner.

I understand why some people retreat when facing a government investigation. I did the same thing during my case—ignoring calls, avoiding family, and isolating myself. It's an instinct, but it's also a mistake. Waiting too long can make a difficult situation worse.

During our conversation, the client opened up about why he struggled to start. He had read Earning Freedom by Michael Santos and was struck by how Michael spent 26 years in prison without any guarantees his work would lead to an early release. This hit home for my client—he worried that his effort might not make a difference in the end.

I told him that uncertainty is part of the process. Michael didn't focus on outcomes—he focused on how he lived each day, with integrity and discipline. He wasn't obsessed with immediate results, and that's something we can all learn from. When you focus on the daily steps and actions, the results tend to follow.

We also talked about the weight of shame. My client felt like he had let everyone down—his family, friends, and colleagues. He was consumed by guilt, and that guilt was keeping him from moving forward. I told him that while it's important to acknowledge the past, it can't be the thing that holds you back.

Many clients fear starting over, especially if they were successful before their case. The thought of going from a high-paying job to nothing is overwhelming. But the sooner you start preparing, the better equipped you'll be to deal with these challenges. Preparation isn't just about getting a shorter federal prison sentence—it's about building the resilience and mindset you'll need for the long haul.

In the end, it's about showing up every day. You can say you're going to do the work, but if you don't build the habits and follow through, nothing changes. I told my client that we'll see if he's ready to do the work. We'll see if he makes the calls, sends the emails, and reconnects with the people he's been avoiding. Real preparation requires consistent action, and the earlier you start, the better the outcome, not just at sentencing, but for the rest of your life.

Justin Paperny