Turning Good Intentions into Intentional Living: Lessons on Purposeful Action

Ever had that moment when you’re asked a question, and suddenly everything clicks? That was me today when someone asked, “What will it take for you to be successful?” I’ve often envisioned success as becoming the person I admire, like borrowing someone else’s life blueprint. I mean, who hasn’t tried to copy-paste someone’s life goals at least once, right?

But today, John Maxwell dropped a truth bomb that hit me harder than a Monday morning alarm: Intentional living is the key to accomplishing everything I want in life. And, believe me, that’s a wake-up call we all need.

Before heading to the session, I had this quiet prayer: “Lord, I have good intentions with the people I reach out to for financial planning. But how can I make sure they see my intentions clearly?” And guess what? Today’s session was literally titled, “From Good Intentions to Good Actions.” Coincidence? I think not!

Maxwell explained that intentional living is all about being deliberate, consistent, and willful. Let's break it down:

1. Deliberate: This means taking a real, honest look at where you want to go in life. It’s like standing at a buffet, surveying all the dishes, and then choosing the healthiest option. There have been times I’ve mapped out my path—like when I decided to focus on empowering young professionals through financial planning. That wasn’t just a random thought; it was deliberate. But there’s always room to refine this vision.
2. Consistent: Now, I know being consistent is like being asked to avoid Netflix binge-watching—it’s tough! In today’s fast-paced world, staying consistent can feel like trying to walk a tightrope with a stack of plates on your head. But Maxwell made it clear: to see results, we need to show up every day, week after week, like clockwork. Intentional living isn’t a one-time sprint; it’s a marathon. And yes, that means sticking to those financial goals even when Lazada is having a sale!
3. Willful: This doesn’t come last; it’s woven into the entire process. Being willful is about intentionally aligning your actions with your purpose, like making a conscious effort to eat healthy despite those late-night cravings. In our roundtable discussion, I realized that all three elements—deliberate, consistent, and willful—must work in harmony, like a well-rehearsed band. Miss a beat, and the whole tune falls flat.

One thing that stood out to me was how Maxwell rephrased certain terms to shift from good intentions to intentional living:

He emphasized that we either live with good intentions or with intentional living, and this shift is crucial for real growth.

Maxwell also provided actionable insights to guide us:

• Thinking Ahead: Just like planning your outfit for a big meeting, intentional living helps us think ahead. I’ve seen this firsthand in financial planning—anticipating clients’ needs and preparing accordingly has made all the difference.
• Making Every Day Count: It’s easy to get lost in the “someday” mindset, but Maxwell reminds us that today is what counts. Like when I make it a point to reach out to a certain number of people daily—small steps, but big impact.
• Taking It One Step at a Time: Intentional living isn’t about giant leaps. It’s about consistent, small changes. For example, I didn’t become confident in public speaking overnight. It started with one presentation at a time, even if the first few were, well, let’s say, “learning experiences.”

The biggest takeaway for me today was that success is defined by your daily agenda. It’s not about having a 10-year plan but about what you do every single day. Improvement should be a lifestyle, not just a chapter in your life.

So, to anyone reading this, if you’re still waiting for the “right time” to take action—stop waiting. Start living intentionally today. Because, as John Maxwell says, it’s not about what you hope to do; it’s about what you choose to do.