Pulling It All Together ~ Intentionality

Over the last 5 weeks I’ve been laying out the six pillars of my personal philosophy - Intentional Optimism. This final one pulls it all together - for me, and for you.  

People have commented, for years, that my husband and I are very “intentional” in the way we go about our lives. There’s a reason… Intentionality makes a difference.  

In fact, I’m convinced it’s the difference between growth and stagnation, success and failure, happiness and dissatisfaction.  Obviously, this isn’t the false pretension referenced in the well-known adage about where the well-intention paved road leads… this is the real deal.  

Think of it like setting your Maps app and following the instructions. You have a specific destination, know where you’re going, and while you can always make turns independently, "Mr. Maps" will keep redirecting you back on track, in order to arrive at the coordinates you set.  Therefore, the accuracy of those coordinates matters, right? 

That’s Intentionality. 

It takes the other 5 pillars (Optimism, Presence, Courage, Energy and Wisdom), packages them up for you, and sets you on a path of accomplishment and fulfillment while benefiting others and honoring our Creator.

So ~ here’s one last list for you.  This is what being Intentional looks like in my life, and how you can cultivate it in yours.

1. Know your purpose - It’s not a cosmic mystery ~ you were wonderfully, carefully and personally created ~ with purpose. Therefore, everything you do has a purpose. 
2. What’s your “Why?” - You need to know why you do what you do ~ your values. This gives you guardrails within which to operate, and make decisions.  It ensures you’re focused on what is important, not just on a goal for the sake of getting ahead. 
3. Care for others - A servant heart encompasses more than just doing things for others. It’s a humble mindset, putting the needs of others first, fostering unity and respect.  
4. Pick a direction - No need to wander aimlessly. Choose a point on the horizon, and move with confidence. You have the power to change that direction, if necessary.
5. Make a plan - Take the time to step back, evaluate and understand what you need to do. After all, failing to plan is planning to fail. 
6. Be prepared - The Scouts have it on this one.  You may not always know exactly how to prepare, but when it’s within your power to do so ~ DO. Even a draft plan alleviates anxiety, and a peaceful heart produces a clear mind. 
7. Consider your options - Knowing what your options are, allows you to be agile and flexible, setting you up to take advantage of opportunities and dodge obstacles.
8. Face the future - Forward, not backward. Forward is where life is. Think ahead to the next step, when you can.  Your future isn’t random. The choices you make today, become the realities of your tomorrows. 
9. Embrace expansion - We have been created by an infinite Creator ~ “in His Image” ~ therefore, the vastness of human potential will never be fully known.  Imagine what you could accomplish if you just keep asking “what if?”
10. Cultivate a growth mindset - Marie Forleo says “Everything is Figureoutable.”  This is the mindset that produced airplanes, telephones and rocket ships. They were all told “it can’t be done.” Believe it, my friend, there’s no limit to your ability to figure it out. No matter how “impossible” it seems.
11. Experience things - Embrace the idea that experience is a good teacher ~ even though some things are hard to go through or to learn.  All the hard knocks, bumps and bruises teach us who we are and develop character. When we commit to experiencing life, rather than avoiding it, we collect the  memories that enrich our tomorrows. 
12. Nurture change - Everyone ~ yes, EVERYONE ~ is scared of change. Be a catalyst and promote growth in others, organizations and institutions by fostering curiosity and new ideas. Create open and safe environments to work through the steps so that change is possible.  

Of all the pillars, this one is most authentically my mindset.  Right here is where my personal growth journey began ~ with intention. It’s the first word in the name of my business, and I want ~ always ~ to exemplify and lead from this perspective.  You can miss the mark in other areas, but without intention, you are just reacting to whatever comes your way.

So, what’s my big intention? 

To create a global community of women helping, mentoring and leading other women to reach for their potential, fostering collaboration and generating a beautiful sisterhood that reflects the lovely tapestry our Creator designed.

I know, that actually IS big. 

It happens one step at a time… one sister at a time… you, me… together, we can laugh at the days to come!

Head over to my to my Facebook page and tell me your big intention.  Perhaps we can work on ours together. 

Laughing at the days to come!!

~Andrea