It’s a New Year, Invest in Your Mind…Intentionally

Happy New Year, beautiful people.
Happy 2026.

I’ve spent the past few weeks auditing myself. Who I was. Who I am now. Who I’m becoming. And honestly, I think I’ve done a good job so far. No, I’m not going to add “maybe I could have done better,” because that’s what we’re conditioned to do, right? Downplay our progress. Shrink our wins. Believe that there’s always some invisible goal we could have attained..

That won’t be happening here.

Should some people have done better? Yes.

Do I believe I belong in that group? No.

I’m stretched.

I’ve put in so much work reshaping my mind and my thinking that sometimes it feels like my brain is in quiet protest. Imagine a mind that has processed life the same way for decades, suddenly being told, “There’s a better way.” If it could talk back, it would probably say, “Madam, let’s leave it like this.” which, if we’re honest, is exactly what most of our minds say to us.

Let’s leave it like this.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

But where did we learn that? When did we, as humans, start mistaking stagnation for contentment?

It’s fascinating how some people upgrade everything in their lives but themselves.
New gadgets. New cars. New social circles. New investments.
But a new mindset? No, no, no (like my toddler would say). Let’s keep that as is.

Can you see how urgent we need a rewiring?

We see clearly how upgraded devices function differently. Better cameras. Faster cars. Stronger networks. Now imagine how differently we would function if we upgraded ourselves. How differently we would move if we invested intentionally in our minds?

We spend $2,000 on a new phone without blinking, but can we spend that on coaching or therapy?

₦65,000,000 on a new car, but on a mentor-led residential retreat? How?

Wigs and watches. Bags and brunches.

Investments on body, body, body.

But barely any on our soul. 

Can we do better this year?

Can we upgrade who we are inside?
Can we focus more on lighting up our hearts than our videos?

What will rank top 10 on our list of investments at the end of the year?

Can we try living from inside out this year?

For me, I’ll continue living out my upgrade lifestyle this year.

I’m attending at least one international residential coaching retreat in Q1. It’s worth a pretty penny, and I’m paying it gladly. I’m continuing therapy, because clarity and emotional hygiene are non-negotiables for me. I’ll be attending a minimum of four industry-related conferences this year, staying sharpened, exposed and in rooms that stretch me. I’ll also be keeping my Audible subscription and “reading” consistently, separate from the podcasts I’m subscribed to. I’ll be hosting my role models and mentors to lunches and brunches so I can soak in their wisdom, discipline and clarity; and I’ll also be taking personal retreats, stepping away to recalibrate, so I can remain in alignment with myself.

This is what investing from the inside out looks like for me.

Let me be clear. This is an uncomfortable journey. Your old self will wrestle your new self and ask, “What is this upgrade? Who asked for it?” but if you stay the course and take sides with your new self at all times, you’ll wish you had started the journey sooner because your new self is smarter, funnier, more confident… more creative… You’ll love your new self!

So, what’s it going to be this year? Will you at least think about it, and try?

Send me a message and tell me how you plan to upgrade your mind this year, and I’ll respond to as many messages as I can.

Thank you for considering it.

Lots of love,

Toyosi

Toyosi Etim-Effiong is a distinguished media executive who is bridging the gap between Nollywood and the global film and TV industry. With over 10 years of multifaceted experience in the media industry, she possesses the vital exposure and skills needed to drive media-related and experiential projects. She is also the founder and CEO of That Good Media, a media solutions company with a talent management as well as an international partnerships division.