It was a Sunday afternoon, and I had just settled in after lunch with a good book. Thirty minutes in, I suddenly realized—I had been reading the words, but nothing was sinking in.
What the hell? I thought. What am I doing?
I couldn’t recall a single thing I had just read. I had completely zoned out, just going through the motions.
Then it hit me—I didn’t actually want to read. I was reading because I told myself I had to. It was as if there were two versions of me battling it out—one forcing the action, the other reluctantly obeying, detached and uninvested.
I was doing something without intention. I wasn’t fully engaged. And that? That’s half-assed.
Intentions are the why behind what we do. While action is essential, action backed by clear and purposeful intention creates more meaningful results. When you act with intention, you move with focus, clarity, and alignment, rather than just going through the motions. Here’s why the power of intention makes such a difference.
1. Intention Gives Your Actions Purpose
Without intention, actions can feel random or forced. Setting an intention gives your actions meaning and direction, helping you understand why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Example: Working out because you want to feel strong and energized, rather than just “burn calories,” creates a deeper connection to the habit.
2. Intention Helps You Stay Focused
When you have a clear intention, distractions are easier to avoid. It’s a way of re-centering and focusing on what matters most, instead of getting sidetracked.
Example: If your intention is to be present during family time, you’re more likely to put your phone away and truly engage.
3. Intention Increases Motivation and Drive
Knowing why you’re taking action builds stronger motivation. It fuels you on days when discipline feels hard, because you have a bigger reason guiding you.
Example: Eating healthy because you want long-term vitality makes it easier to skip quick-fix junk food.
4. Intention Aligns Actions with Core Values
When you act with intention, your choices reflect your personal values and beliefs. It creates integrity between your thoughts and behaviors.
Example: If one of your values is health, setting an intention to move daily aligns your actions with who you want to be.
5. Intention Enhances Mindfulness
Intentional actions naturally promote mindfulness. You become more aware of what you’re doing and how it makes you feel, rather than rushing through tasks on autopilot.
Example: Practicing mindful eating by setting the intention to slow down and savor your meals.
6. Intention Strengthens Resilience
When challenges arise, a strong intention can help you stay grounded. It reminds you of the bigger picture and keeps you committed, even when things get tough.
Example: If your intention is to become financially independent, you’re more likely to stick to your budget, even when tempted to splurge.
7. Intention Leads to More Fulfilling Results
Actions without intention can feel empty, even if they’re successful. But when your actions come from a place of clear purpose, the outcome is often more rewarding and fulfilling.
Example: Pursuing a career that aligns with your purpose, not just for the paycheck, leads to deeper satisfaction.
Final Thought
Action moves you forward, but intention gives your movement meaning. When you align the two, you create powerful momentum toward your goals, grounded in clarity, purpose, and authenticity.
In that moment, I did none of it. I simply put the book down and moved on to something else. For me, it was okay that I didn’t do something I wasn’t truly ready for. I realized I wasn’t in the right headspace to read that book—not yet.
The time will come when I want to pick it up again. And when I do, it will be driven by intention, not obligation. That intention will fuel the action, and the experience will be entirely different—more focused, more meaningful, and more productive.
I think this applies to so much in life. Timing matters. When your intention aligns with your action, the outcome is always better. More engaged. More impactful.
That book and I have a date. It’s just not today.