Intentionality: Leavening Agent of Life
How being intentional makes all the difference
Intent: having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose - Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Introduction
Consider for a moment how two people can come from the same environment, experience some of the same challenges and rewards, and be given the same opportunities in life, yet one of them rises above the other. I see this happen often in my career. Even when the chance for success is equal, the outcomes vary wildly.
What is it then, that creates such a disparity between the outcome? There is surely more than one thing, but a particular trait jumps out at me. I believe it is often the intentionality with which one approaches situations, and life in general, that determines success.
A baker will add a leavening agent to a baked good, such as bread, to make it lighter, or less dense. Leavening agents, such as baking powder, baking soda, and yeast, cause baked goods to expand due to gas bubbles released during the baking process. These ingredients can completely change the texture of the end product.
I will not claim to be a good cook, but I can affirm that biscuits need leavening to form that soft, delicate texture they are known for. You do not have to be an expert to realize the effect certain ingredients have on food. Even the best recipes require the correct ingredients.
Intentionality is the leavening agent of life. It gives rise to the dreams we have in our hearts. Intention sets the course, or direction, of our focus and efforts.
Thoughts and Ideas have little consequence without an intention to bring them into reality. Execution follows intent. Every area of our lives is impacted by the lack or inclusion of intention with follow through.
Focus
Attentiveness is a crucial foundation for intentionality. So many people seem to wade through life unaware of their surroundings. They often feel like life is happening to them, and that they are faultless.
We must be deliberate in all of our actions. How we speak, eat, parent, perform our jobs: These all require intentional decisions. We must take some level of personal accountability for the circumstances we find ourselves in.
If you feel like life is happening to you, there are some steps you can take to begin to orient yourself and move in a targeted direction. Consider the following:
Defining goals - strategic
Success does not typically come by accident. We reach success often by taking intermediate steps. For instance, it is not usual for a college graduate to immediately step into a CEO role.
Each person must define those intermediate steps they feel are necessary to accomplish their end result. Perhaps you do not know the order. This is where you can solicit some help from someone who has walked the path before you.
Create a series of landmarks at which you must arrive along your journey. The next step will be breaking those goals down into the required tasks. No one can go from bank teller to bank manager without understanding the requirements of the new role.
This is the strategic overview of your plan. You may think of this as the bird’s eye view. The idea is to zoom out and consider the options and paths available to you before you plot your course.
Enumerating tasks - tactical
Let’s say that your goal is to move from a level I help desk support engineer to a level II support engineer. There are often specific traits or qualifications that managers are looking for when they promote to that higher role. Ask your manager for clarification.
As a people leader myself, I can guarantee that no competent leader will ever look down on you for asking what is required to take on more responsibility. A good manager hopes his people will look for more ways to provide value. Many organizations will even publish leveling guides which spell out the requirements for moving to a new position.
Once you have those specifics, you can begin to evaluate yourself against that list. Where do you fall short? Make those deltas your tasks.
This works outside of the office as well. Whatever your goals in life, you can break them down into manageable chunks or tasks. Make your goals bite-sized and celebrate every time you complete a task.
This stage of the process is plotting the course. You have considered the options and determined the best way to arrive at your intended destination.
Establish productivity - practical
How do you take the first step on this new journey? You establish some guiding principles and structure. This is the practical portion of your journey.
When you plan a road trip, you often consider the distance, how many stops you might have to make for the bathroom or meals, and whether you will drive through the night.
The same is required to reach your goals. If you decide college is an intermediate step to reach your goal, you might have to decide if you will focus solely on your education or attend school at night while you raise a family.
You may find that you have competing goals. Some of them may conflict with others. This is where you make the decision of priority. Which goals require the most effort now?
It is critical that you create an environment which allows you to reach your goals. This may mean a careful review of the people and places in your life. Is there something you need to remove in order to be successful.
The best students learn to carefully construct an environment that fosters learning. They set the phone aside and have a dedicated place to study. In order to be productive and make progress, there are steps that have to be purposefully taken.
All other things being equal, a lack of intention could drastically impede progress towards one’s goals. If we do not intention, we will not take the appropriate actions. Our effort will not be sufficient.
The format above provides structure to adjust your focus. It moves you from general attentiveness to a laser focus on your goals. You simply take control of your own destiny instead of letting life bounce you around.
Execution
“Intent without dedicated action is simply not enough. Action without a clear intent is a waste. It is when these two powerful forces are aligned that the energy of the universe conspires in your favor.”
―Steve Maraboli, author, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Execution is an extension of intent. It is the follow through after we engage the mind and will. Without execution, our intentions matter very little.
No one ever lost weight simply because they wanted to. If you have ever started an exercise program or diet, you understand that it requires intentionality. Furthermore, it requires the application of effort.
There is an aspect of intention that is active. You are bending your will toward a purpose. Once you have taken the reigns, so to speak, it is time to gain some ground.
Every journey begins with a first step. This may be starting down a path for a particular education. Some may find that the first step requires a lot of faith.
I remember when I decided that one of my chief goals was to move into the information technology field. No one wanted to give me a chance because I had no work experience in the area. Technology was a personal passion and hobby, but I had never applied it in my career.
When I finally found a company that would give me a chance, it required me to take a cut in pay and go without benefits for 3 months while in probationary status. That was a huge risk, but I determined that the step was necessary in order to reach my goal. I, along with my family, had to decide whether the risk was worth the reward.
That first step was painful, but I learned so much about myself and those who supported me by making the move. Is there a step you are avoiding that could be preventing you from making progress towards your goal? Are you being honest with yourself about the priority you have given to goals?
Semantics of purpose
I really struggled with whether or not to include this section in the article. It may be hard to explain the message I hope to deliver. In the end, I decided it was worth it if only a handful of readers could interpret my meaning.
My wife and I have had numerous conversations over the years that ended with the statement, “Well you didn’t try not to.” Have you ever let someone down and during your apology find yourself stating that you didn't mean to do something? Then they come back at you with a statement about intent.
The gist of the message is that you may not have meant to hurt someone, or let them down, but you also might not have set your intention on not hurting them. This is similar to the ideas above where I spoke about focus. The difference is someone who is focused on not hurting or disappointing someone.
This idea is really crucial to your success in life. It is great if you never meant to fail or never meant to make a wrong turn. However, you can flip that idea around and take control of your future by setting your intentions. Focus on the things you need to have happen, and make a plan to ensure they do to the best of your ability.
Conclusion
Are you where you intended to be? Did you have bigger career or life aspirations that you have, so far, failed to live up to? That is OK.
There are so many success stories revealing the possibility of applying intentionality later in life. Think of the people who go back to college to earn a degree, or middle-aged workers who decide to completely change careers and do well. It is never too late to decide to be intentional about life and your goals.
Take time to thoughtfully consider what brings you the most joy in life. Create reasonable goals to serve as landmarks to that end. From those landmarks, you can break down manageable tasks.
The only thing left is for you to take the first step. It could be risky. You might feel nervous.
The thing you truly never want to feel is the regret of missing an opportunity simply because you never set your mind to it. Live life, and don’t let your life live you. Joy and contentment is out there if you plan accordingly and take action today.
Take your first step and be prepared to continually reorient yourself along the journey. Accept the unexpected twists and turns. Most of the adventure lies in the unexpected.
