Being Intentional and Taking Purposeful Action

There is an expression that states: “if you pass by something three times; you become unaware of it.” This saying emphasizes the idea that when we repeatedly encounter or observe something without paying attention or actively engaging with it, we might overlook its significance or fail to notice important details. This is often used to highlight the importance of mindfulness, which is, being present in the moment and paying attention to our surroundings. It suggests that when we are preoccupied or distracted, we may miss out on valuable experiences. Notice this as you walk throughout your day. Consider a piece of artwork or decorative item in a familiar space in your home. When you first place a new piece in your home, it may stand out prominently, catching your eye with its colors, shapes, or unique characteristics. However, as time goes on and you repeatedly pass by it in your daily activities, the initial allure starts to diminish, and eventually you don’t even notice it. I recently took a moment to reflect on a piece of artwork in my space and realized how outdated it had become. It made me wonder how long it had been there without me noticing that it was time for a more updated replacement. I don’t seem to do this with family photos, I am always actively engaging with personal photos. Admiring the people and places in the photos and cherished moments shared with loved ones, even if the photos are older, for me, it still holds value and importance in my life.    

Intentionality includes an attitude of purposefulness, with a commitment to deliberate action. 

Being intentional and taking action is the bridge between ideas and results. 

I want to share with you a story of How a Forgotten Monk Helped Conquer Chaos:

Everything was a disaster zone. Just when I was about to drown in sticky notes and to-do lists, a book I saw Intrigued me, I cracked it open and found myself in the 13th century, learning about the life of Brother Thomas, a reclusive monk renowned for his organizational skills.

Turns out, Brother Thomas wasn’t your typical puritan. He was a productivity ninja, a master of efficiency who could calm the chaotic mind. And wouldn’t you know it, his wisdom held the key to unlocking our inner organized safe haven. Most blogs preach the gospel of to-do lists, color-coded calendars, and label-happy organizers. But Brother Thomas would offer something different: intentionality. He would have believed that true organization wasn’t about external systems, it’s not about pretty organizational baskets and streamlined containers, but about aligning your actions with your deepest desires. 

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology backs this up. Researchers found that when people connected their tasks to their core values, they were more likely to stick with them, even when motivation declined. So, instead of just whipping out tasks like a hamster on a wheel, start asking yourself: Why are you doing this? How does it fit into the bigger picture?

Completing that overdue project becomes an act of honoring your commitment to intellectual growth. I often feel like I need to fully understand every detail of a project before I can begin. In starting my business, I procrastinated thinking I had to know everything about marketing, selling, social media, website information, posting to social media, manufacturing, fulfillment, business processes, business taxes and insurance, but it is in the process that we learn. Completing my project signified not just the fulfillment of a task but also a deeper alignment with core values of perseverance and accountability. By completing this process of my business, I was able to build trust in myself, reinforcing the belief that I am capable of seeing things through to the end. It developed my intellectual curiosity, as it allowed me to close a chapter and reflect on what I had learned in the process opening doors to new opportunities.  

With intentionality as our compass, we can set off on our project. When we focus on doing things on purpose, we can handle our projects one step at a time. The messy inbox? We sort it out, little by little. The busy calendar? We organize it so each thing has its own spot, and nothing feels jumbled. It’s all about taking control and making things simple.

A 2018 study in the Harvard Business Review found that organized workers reported 15% higher job satisfaction and 23% greater productivity.

This is  a timeless recipe for achieving calm. So, put down the label maker and step away from the matching organization containers. Instead, ask yourself: What truly matters to you? What are the values that guide your life? Then, let those values be the guide to your organization.

Remember, it’s not about external systems, but about the internal compass that points you towards a life of intention and focus. And believe me, that’s a state of mind far more valuable than any perfectly labeled drawer could ever be.

This is research-based evidence supporting the idea that intentional behavior is linked to increased productivity and achievement. This concept repeatedly aligns with goal setting and purposeful action. Research in psychology and organizational behavior emphasizes the positive impact of setting clear intentions, as they tend to have a more defined sense of direction, increased motivation, and a greater chance of achieving success. Studies on goal-setting theory, pioneered by psychologists like Edwin Locke, suggest that setting specific and challenging outcomes lead to higher performance especially when they are approached with intentionality, they are more likely to persist when the going gets tough, keeping their focus on the prize. 

Success stories of those who are intentional and purposeful are plentiful. Emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, planning, and deliberate effort in reaching your actionable habits.  . When we approach our decisions and actions with intention, we align them with our core values. 

Purposeful action gives direction to our efforts, preventing us from being overwhelmed by life’s distractions and demands. It helps us to  make deliberate choices and invest our time and energy in activities that bring us joy. Intentionality means taking control of your actions rather than merely reacting to your circumstances. It’s about directing your energy and efforts towards what truly matters to you, rather than leaving things to chance.  A project’s completion may seem distant, but the act of starting it brings that completion within reach.

Being intentional changes what might have once been viewed as a series of chance events gain meaning and significance, we are able create our organizational structure, being able to rise above the passive role of bystanders and step into the role of active participant. Embrace the power of purposeful action, for it is through these conscious steps that we can create a deeper sense of accomplishment. 

Over the long term, the small achievements we make every day have greater significance than the bigger infrequent accomplishments we achieve from time to time.  

Intentionality helps us focus attention on the task, making us aware that we have to initiate action during the activity or in short; Doing makes done.

So, go forth, my friends, and channel your inner organizational monk. Let intentionality be your guide, and watch the madness transform into clarity and calm.