why mindset, time and consistency are your greatest tools for thriving today

A few weeks ago, I attended an entrepreneurship networking event. It was one of those vibrant gatherings. Conversations flowed between ambition, innovation, and the pursuit of impact. As I mingled with attendees, I noticed an old acquaintance across the room – someone I hadn’t seen in years.

“Hey, Sharon! Long time no see! How have you been?” I asked, smiling warmly.

She replied with a sigh, “Abbey, I’m fine o… nothing much, we just dey survive.”

I paused, smiled gently, and said, “Just surviving? That’s not enough. You’ve got to thrive.”

She chuckled softly and said, “Well, I’m trying my best.”

We exchanged pleasantries and moved on, but her words lingered. “Just surviving.”

That phrase stuck with me. It wasn’t because it was unfamiliar. It reflected the silent struggle of so many people today. The world is evolving faster than ever. Technology disrupts industries overnight. The cost of living continues to climb. In these conditions, survival has become a default setting. But “just surviving” is not living. It’s existing without purpose, progress, or fulfillment.

The Danger of “Just Surviving”

When someone says, “I’m just surviving,” it often masks deeper emotions, frustration, uncertainty, or even quiet hopelessness. It’s an admission of being stuck, of going through life on autopilot. And while survival is essential, it should never be the final goal. Survival keeps you alive. Thriving gives you meaning.

A life spent only surviving can feel empty, routine, and uninspired. It breeds complacency, delays purpose, and ultimately weakens one’s ability to dream. To thrive, we must be intentional about our mindset, our goals, and how we use our time. We live in an era where disadvantaged individuals are breaking barriers, rewriting stories, and redefining what’s possible. People who once had nothing are building empires through creativity, consistency, and digital innovation. So, if they can break concrete ceilings, we can shatter glass ones.

Taking Stock of Your Life

As we navigate the mid-2020s, a time of innovation, automation, and artificial intelligence, it’s crucial to pause and evaluate:

What have I accomplished in the past year?
What didn’t go as planned, and why?
Are my goals still relevant, realistic, and measurable?
Have I surrounded myself with the right people to grow?

Reflection is a form of recalibration. You can’t thrive in the future if you haven’t learned from the past. As the saying goes, “You can’t drive forward while staring in the rearview mirror.” However, you also can’t progress without occasionally glancing back to understand your journey.

Time: The Great Equalizer

If there’s one truth that defines success across every culture and geo-location, it’s this: time is the ultimate equalizer. Every human being, from Elon Musk to Oprah Winfrey to Aliko Dangote has 24 hours each day. What separates the thriving from the merely surviving is not the number of hours, but how those hours are used.

Time is your most valuable currency. Once spent, it cannot be recovered. Successful people understand this and treat every minute as an opportunity for growth. They read, learn, strategize, network, and create. They don’t waste energy on distractions that don’t align with their vision. In contrast, those who live on “survival mode” often postpone dreams, saying “someday” or “tomorrow.” But tomorrow is never guaranteed, and time waits for no one.

Productivity vs. Hard Work

Many confuse being busy with being productive. You can work hard all day and still not make progress. Productivity is not about doing more – it’s about doing what truly matters. If you spend your time aimlessly, telling yourself “I’m trying,” you’ll stay stuck in the same cycle. But if you intentionally invest your time in skill-building, strategy, and self-improvement, you’ll gradually move from surviving to thriving.

Ask yourself:

Am I doing work that aligns with my purpose?
Am I building something sustainable or just chasing activity?
Am I using my 8–12 productive hours daily effectively?

The difference between survival and success lies in the quality of your effort, not just the quantity.

From Survival to Thriving: 6 Key Shifts

To move from simply existing to living a life of growth, purpose, and success, you must embrace intentional change. Below are timeless, actionable principles that can help you transform your mindset and results in 2025 and beyond.

1. Take Responsibility

Winston Churchill once said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” Every decision you’ve made, and everyone you will make – shapes your destiny. Blaming circumstances, governments, or people for your condition may feel comforting, but it robs you of power. The moment you take responsibility for your life; you take back control of your narrative. Yes, life throws challenges, but how you respond defines your strength. Focus on what’s within your control – your habits, mindset, and actions – and you’ll find that progress follows naturally.

2. Eliminate Laziness — Especially Mental Laziness

Contrary to stereotypes, most people aren’t physically lazy; they’re mentally lazy. They want results but resist the discomfort of deep thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Success requires critical thinking and creativity. In an economy where ideas generate wealth, you must cultivate a solution-oriented mindset. Instead of complaining about what you lack, ask: What can I do with what I have? When you train your mind to think in solutions, not problems, you position yourself as a value creator. The world rewards value.

3. Align Your Goals With Your Strengths

You can’t thrive in someone else’s lane. Aligning your goals with your natural strengths gives you momentum and confidence. If you love teaching, mentor others or create educational content. If you’re passionate about sales, build a business that allows you to connect with people. When your passion aligns with your skills, work no longer feels like a burden – it becomes a calling. Success flows naturally when your goals and strengths are in harmony.

4. Maintain Your Authenticity

In a world dominated by filters, trends, and social media illusions, authenticity is your greatest asset. “Fake it till you make it” might sound motivating, but in the long run, it erodes integrity. Your real power lies in your originality, your voice, your story, your truth. People are drawn to authenticity because it’s rare. Stay true to your values, and your credibility will sustain your success long after the noise fades.

5. Ask for Help — Collaboration Is Strength

No one achieves greatness alone. Even the most successful entrepreneurs and leaders rely on teams, mentors, and networks. Recognize that asking for help is not a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of wisdom. When you collaborate, you tap into collective intelligence. Your weakness might be someone else’s strength, and together you can build something extraordinary. Surround yourself with people who elevate, challenge, and inspire you.

6. Avoid Drama and Guard Your Peace

Thriving requires focus, and focus requires peace. Chaos, negativity, and unnecessary drama drain your emotional energy and distract you from your mission. Guard your space. Protect your mental and emotional well-being. You cannot build success in a toxic environment. Choose peace over popularity and learn to say no to situations and people that don’t serve your purpose.

The Power of Choice and Time

Every day, you are faced with a choice: to survive or to thrive. Thriving doesn’t require perfection, it requires intention. It’s about deciding to live fully, to take control of your time, and to pursue growth relentlessly. Even in an uncertain economy or an unpredictable world, your mindset remains your most powerful tool. Success doesn’t wait for favorable conditions, it’s built through courage, creativity, and consistent action. Don’t wait for the economy to stabilize or for the “perfect time.” The perfect time is now.

Final Thoughts: Thrive, Don’t Just Exist

Survival may keep you alive, but thriving helps you live with purpose. The future belongs to those who choose growth over fear, responsibility over excuses, and persistence over complacency. So today, make a decision — to thrive in your career, your business, your relationships, and your personal development. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Because in the end, thriving isn’t about having everything. It’s about making the best of everything you have. Turn every day into an opportunity to grow. Create and impact the world.