Nothing sustainable happens by luck! Spicy take? Maybe—but when you think about how to build sustainable wealth, you’ll see that it’s never by accident.

We all love stories of overnight success—the struggling artist who wakes up to a viral hit, the trader who stumbles upon a golden investment, or the job seeker who gets a dream job without breaking a sweat. Sure, it makes for a fine fairytale story but peel back the surface, and you’ll see a pattern. Behind every “lucky” break is a series of conscious efforts—small, deliberate steps taken over time.

The truth is luck might open a door, but if you don’t step through it with intention, effort, and strategy, that opportunity fizzles into nothing. And when it comes to wealth? It’s no different.

Will Durant expertly puts it this way, ”We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” This quote isn’t just about excellence—it’s a blueprint for how to build sustainable wealth through consistent action and mindset.

If you’re to ask Elon Musk about the current success of SpaceX, he won’t say “luck.” He’ll talk about the sleepless nights, the failed rocket launches and landings, and the formative lessons that led it to where it is. That’s the beauty of intentionality and consistency.

You can mirror this from the lens of job hunting. 

Submitting one CV and waiting for a response is like throwing a single fishing hook into the ocean and expecting to catch a whale. The more applications you send, the more networking you do, the higher your chances of landing the job. That’s because Effort multiplies opportunities.

The same applies to everyday people striving for a better life. The market woman who wakes up at 4 AM to secure fresh goods, the young man learning a new skill after work, the single mother balancing multiple jobs—all these are conscious efforts towards a goal—towards stability.

There’s a catch, however. In as much as effort and consistency are great traits to imbibe, they’re not enough. Effort and consistency without direction is like paddling a canoe in circles. To build something lasting, they must be paired with strategy. And this is where understanding the currency of wealth comes in.

Wealth Flows—So Should Your Mindset

There’s a saying in Nigerian parlance: “Money na water.” At first glance, it sounds like a careless justification for reckless spending. Other times it’s a lament—one that people sigh after spending more than they planned. But if you really think about it, wealth is just like water. It’s the “current” in currency (see what I did there?)—it’s not meant to sit in one place, stagnant and lifeless. It should go out and come in. It must move, grow, and circulate.

Think of it as a river. It flows through valleys, nourishing the land, sustaining life, and making its way to the ocean. But the wise ones—the ones who understand the nature of water—don’t just drink from the river without thought. They create reservoirs, dig wells, and store some for dry seasons. That’s exactly how wealth works. It’s not just about earning and spending; it’s about consciously directing its flow so that when the tide recedes, you’re not left stranded.

So, how do you pair intentionality with the ever-moving nature of money?

Here’s how:

1. Master the Art of Budgeting

If money is water, budgeting is the dam that channels its flow. Without a budget, money moves aimlessly, seeping into unnecessary expenses and vanishing before you even realize it.

A good budget allows you to allocate funds for necessities, investments, savings, and even leisure in a way that aligns with your financial goals. Use the 50/30/20 rule as a starting point:

• 50% for needs (rent, food, bills)

• 30% for wants (entertainment, travel, luxury)

• 20% for savings and investments

The key is not just making a budget but sticking to it.

2. Invest Early, Invest Smart

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking investing is for the wealthy. In reality, investing is how people become wealthy. Instead of letting money sit idle in a savings account, put it to work.

Start with these investment vehicles:

• Real Estate: Property appreciates over time and provides passive income.

• Mutual Funds & ETFs: A great option for those who want professional management of their investments.

• Stocks: A long-term play that allows you to own a piece of profitable companies.

• Bonds: Less risky than stocks, they provide steady returns.

• Low-Risk, High-Return Investment Assets: The best of both worlds when it comes to the safety of your funds and still earning great returns on them through the power of daily compounding. A great example of this is Prime, Max, BXIN, and Child investment products by Bravewood.

• Entrepreneurship: Starting and scaling a business can be a powerful wealth-building tool.The secret? Start early.

Compound interest is your best friend. Even small amounts invested consistently can grow exponentially over time.

3. Build Multiple Streams of Income

Depending on a single source of income is like relying on one tap for all your water needs—what happens if it runs dry?

We live in an age of limitless opportunities. Beyond your primary job, explore:

• Freelancing: Use your skills in writing, design, programming, or consulting.

• Affiliate Marketing: Earn commissions promoting products.

• Digital Products: Create e-books, courses, or templates that generate passive income.

• Side Hustles: From baking to photography, monetize what you enjoy.

• Investments: As mentioned earlier, let your money work for you.

The more income streams you build, the more financially secure you become.

4. Emergency Fund—Your Financial Safety Net

Life is unpredictable. A sudden job loss, medical emergency, or unexpected expense can throw your finances into turmoil. This is why an emergency fund is non-negotiable.

Aim to have at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses saved in a liquid account. This ensures that when financial storms hit, you don’t have to drain your investments or take on high-interest debt to survive.

5. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation

As income grows, the temptation to upgrade your lifestyle grows with it. A bigger house, a fancier car, luxury vacations—it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending more just because you’re earning more.

True wealth isn’t about how much you earn; it’s about how much you keep and grow. The wealthy stay wealthy by living below their means and reinvesting their earnings into assets, not liabilities.

6. Debt Management

Not all debt is bad, but reckless debt is a financial killer. Understand the difference:

• Good Debt: Loans for education, real estate, or business that increase your net worth.

• Bad Debt: High-interest credit card debt, unnecessary car loans, or loans for depreciating assets.If you have debt, create a repayment plan using strategies like the snowball method (paying off smaller debts first for motivation) or the avalanche method (tackling high-interest debt first to save money).

7. Never Stop Learning

Money follows those who understand it. The more you educate yourself on wealth-building strategies, investment options, and money management, the better equipped you are to make sound financial decisions.

Start by:

• Reading books like The Richest Man in Babylon or Rich Dad Poor Dad.

• Following financial experts and listening to money podcasts.

• Taking online courses on personal finance and investing.

• Surround yourself with people who have a wealth-building mindset.

Knowledge is an asset—invest in it.

Final Thoughts

In the end, money is like water and a conscious effort is the dam, the irrigation system, and the wellspring that ensures it doesn’t just slip through your fingers but nourishes your financial aspirations and dreams. 

Without effort, it flows aimlessly—rushing in and out, leaving nothing behind. But with strategy, discipline, and foresight, you can channel its movement, directing it towards growth, sustainability, and long-term abundance.

Bravewood provides Nigerian professionals with low-risk, high-return investment products, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.