What’s Your Intention?

Do you decide on your actions with a specific intention in mind? Or do you just “take action”?

The definition of an intention is, “a thing intended; an aim or plan.”

Now, I’m not one to always have a plan for EVERYTHING. But that’s because the concept of a plan is usually based on executing a list of things that have been decided based on an intentional RESULT, instead of an intentional WAY OF BEING.

Today, I want to demonstrate what a plan can look like when your plan is based on your VALUES instead of just an outcome…with your personal brand at the heart.

Knowing Your Values

I talk about this a lot, but it’s worth reiterating again (and again and again). Having clarity on which of your values are the most important to you is absolutely KEY; in many things, and also here.

If you look at building a plan around ONLY a result, the steps to get there aren’t necessarily based on activities that are aligned with your values.

Let’s look at an common example: the result of gaining a new client.

There are thousands of ways to go about getting a new client. A lot of people will even give you a list of tasks you can do to accomplish that. But that begs the question, is it really a list of tasks that will work for YOU?

Usually no.

When you include your values in your intentionality, you get to go one step deeper. You can look at a series of activities and tell whether or not they are something you WANT to do. If they aren’t, you either WON’T do them, or you’ll end up showing up inauthentically to do them. Neither of which is ACTUALLY going to get you to your result.

So now, you can easily say YES or NO to a plan. The next step is showing up to execute.

Intentional Ways of Being

Another thing that people often miss once they have a plan, is the consideration of HOW they are showing up to do the tasks.

So even if I’ve picked tasks that feel aligned with my values and my personal brand, if I don’t EXECUTE them in a way that feels authentic to me, the likelihood of me getting a result is low.

I’ll use myself as an example again.

I’m known for my enthusiasm. And when I choose an action to take, I have the ability to show up in enthusiasm, or not.

When I create an intention of showing up with enthusiasm, it helps dictate HOW I do the things. So, not only have I decided the steps too take, but I know the energy I need to show up in to make them happen (in a way that feels authentic).

And THAT is MY fastest way to getting results.

Getting A Result

Notice above that I say, “MY fastest way to getting results”.

There are lots of ways to get a given result. That’s why people can find the online environment so overwhelming. There’s always someone who’s accomplished what you’re looking to do. And the reason they accomplished it is because they did it THEIR way.

YOUR fastest way to get a result isn’t the same as someone else’s fastest way to get the same result.

Your way is different. And your ability to execute it is based on your values alignment.

So, they next time you think about setting an intention (or building a plan), try taking your values into consideration FIRST. Define how you want to show up in your activities, and do the activities that easily allow you to show up like that ;)

In can be that easy.

If you still can’t see it, let’s chat.