Survival is an uninspiring goal.

It is a pre-requisite, obviously for everything else. Survival foundational to achieving the real goals of success: thriving and achieving.

A client once told me, “I didn’t go to college to learn how to survive. I want to thrive!!”

Of course if we don’t expect much in life and don’t get it, we aren’t as disappointed. Some people aim low–at surviving–with the confidence that at least they can achieve that.

During difficult times, both individuals and businesses are sometimes faced with survival as a primary goal. But like Robert Schuller says, “Tough times never last but tough people do.”

The danger is staying in survival mode longer than necessary. Anyone can become so accustomed to playing not to lose that they stop playing to win.

Have you dumbed down your aspirations? Have the challenges and obstacles slowly drained you of your aspiration to thrive? Does your team know what you’re trying to achieve, or only what you’re trying to avoid?

To change your future, change your present perspective.

You can do better than simply surviving. Determine to thrive and flourish.