Turn Intention Into Action

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Most of us have intentions. We intend to do something with our lives. We intend to improve ourselves, learn something new, find a better job, start a business, build a home, save money, become healthier, or develop a skill.

But have you ever stopped and asked yourself:

What really are my intentions?

It sounds like a simple question, but it deserves some thought. Sometimes we say we want something without thinking seriously about what it will take to get there. We may admire the result, but are we prepared for the actions required to achieve it?

An intention tells you where you want to go. Action is what begins taking you there.

What Is Your Intention?

Suppose your intention is to become a nurse.

Saying, “I want to be a nurse,” is the beginning. But you cannot stop there. You need to find out what qualifications are required. What subjects do you need? Where can you study? How long will the programme take? What examinations must you pass? What will it cost? Are there practical training requirements?

Then you begin preparing.

You study. You apply to the appropriate programme. You attend classes. You complete your practical training. You prepare for your examinations.

Those are the actions connected to the intention.

The same principle applies if you want to become a teacher, electrician, mechanic, farmer, chef, accountant, hairdresser, carpenter, writer, or entrepreneur. Every intention has a pathway, and that pathway requires action.

What If You Want to Become a Soap Maker?

Perhaps your intention is to make soap.

You might see beautiful handmade soaps and think, “I would like to do that.”

Good. That is your intention.

But what comes next?

You start researching.

What is soap? How is it made? What ingredients are used? What is the difference between melt-and-pour soap and soap made from oils and alkali? What safety precautions are necessary? How do different oils affect hardness, cleansing, conditioning and lather? What equipment will you need?

You don't simply buy a few ingredients, mix them together and hope for the best.

You learn first.

Then you might make a small test batch. Maybe it comes out beautifully. Maybe it doesn't. If it doesn't, you investigate what went wrong. You adjust the formula and try again.

Eventually, you may begin thinking beyond making soap for yourself. If your intention is to sell that soap, another set of actions begins. You have to think about packaging, labels, pricing, consistency, customers, record keeping and how you are going to market what you make.

Notice what happened.

One intention created a series of actions.

Intention Without Action Remains an Idea

This is where many of us become stuck.

We can have wonderful intentions.

One day I am going to start my business.

One day I am going back to school.

One day I am going to write that book.

One day I am going to learn that skill.

There is nothing wrong with dreaming. Dreams can give us direction. But eventually we have to ask:

When does “one day” become today?

You don't necessarily have to accomplish the entire goal today. You may not even be able to.

But perhaps you can research it today.

Perhaps you can make the telephone call.

Perhaps you can find out what qualifications are required.

Perhaps you can price the equipment.

Perhaps you can enrol in the first class.

Perhaps you can write the first page.

That is how intention begins becoming action.

Your Actions Should Match Your Intentions

This is another important question to ask ourselves.

Are the things I am doing actually taking me towards what I say I want?

If your intention is to become a nurse but you never investigate nursing programmes, never study and never apply, then the intention has nowhere to go.

If your intention is to become a soap maker but you never research soap making, never learn about ingredients and never make your first batch, you remain someone who intends to make soap.

If your intention is to save money but every dollar that comes into your hands is spent, then something has to change between your intention and your behaviour.

That doesn't mean everything will happen immediately. Some goals take years. Circumstances can delay us. Money can be limited. Family responsibilities can intervene. Opportunities are not equally available to everyone.

But even when the destination is far away, we can begin identifying the actions that point us towards it.

Start Asking Better Questions

Instead of only asking:

“What do I want?”

Ask:

“What does it take to get there?”

Then ask:

“What part of that can I begin doing now?”

Those questions turn a vague intention into something you can work with.

You may discover that the road is harder than you expected. You may even discover that what you thought you wanted isn't really what you want after all.

And that is useful knowledge too.

Because the purpose isn't simply to be busy. It is to make sure your actions have direction.

So think seriously about your intentions.

What do you want to become?

What do you want to accomplish?

What do you want to change?

And once you have answered those questions, ask the most important one:

What action am I prepared to take to get there?

Because an intention can show you the destination.

But only action can begin the journey.