The Importance of Being Intentional

Happy Monday,

Over the last few weeks I’ve had one point or idea that has seemed to be popping up all over the place. It has come from sources that are not connected as far as I know, but all speak to the same point as if in unison. The idea is intentionality, and the importance of it. Intention is defined as “a determination to act in a certain way” or “done on purpose; deliberate” and “performed with purpose”.

The three places I’ve heard it has been from a C.E.O, a mother and from a pastor. Each had their own angle that they talked about it from, and for different purposes, but it struck me that it is something that I need to focus on in my own life.

The C.E.O. was Gary Vaynerchuck, some of you have heard of him. Gary Vee is a C.E.O. author, speaker and social media aficionado. Gary is a different breed of corporate officer and boss, in fact if you saw him walking down the street or saw one of his vlogs on mute, you would be hard pressed to know exactly what he did for a living. On his Vlog which is called “The Daily Vee” he has a few days that are dedicated to the idea of being intentional, but woven throughout his books, talks and videos he talks about the importance of being intentional, and the difference it makes in your business relationships and your business period.

It really is the little things that require uncover if you are intentional or not. Little things like saying thank you to your staff, or to a vendor or who ever it may be that walks in your door. If you aren’t intentional about the little things with your staff, big overtures’ to them will fail, because they don’t see you doing the little things, and just trying to make up for them with something big. Another example is in your business relationships, if you only call your rep when you are in dire need, that relationship won’t be as strong compared to one in which you actually talk to them when they visit your place of work, or if you call them to say thank you for finding you a solution or a part or whatever it might be.

The mother was my friend Renee’s mom, who among many other things is hilarious. In her toast, and a conversation I had with her, she pointed out how important being intentional was, whether it was listening to another person talk to you, or showing kindness, or planning a wedding. Her point was if you aren’t intentional about what you are doing, at some point others will notice and it won’t seem like you are genuine in your actions.

The Pastor was Jeremy Anderson, in his walk with God, and how when he wasn’t intentional he strayed away from God and how he had to be very intentional to get back to God. He said “when I wasn’t intentional I made small compromises, and found myself a long ways from God.” I really liked this point, for me I know I have gone through similar experiences, and many others have too. You don’t simply just make a jump one day out of your relationship with God; it takes time and erosion to get there. The erosion is made possible by not being intentional, and allowing yourself to make those small compromises.

I hope this week you will make it a point to be intentional in whatever you are doing. For me this week I want to be patient, thankful and understanding to who ever I come in contact with.

Hope everyone has a great week!