The Creative knows the great beginnings.
The Receptive completes the finished things.

~I Ching

“And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?”

~Pink Floyd

We have been discussing what it takes to get out of the box that our mind puts us in. It is that box that makes us feel safe and yet keeps us small.  We discussed some of what it takes to operate beyond the limits of our box. This is predicated on the commitment to something bigger than we are, something that calls forth our re-invention of ourselves—in fact, what we are looking at is a commitment that demands that we re-invent ourselves.

Another correlated ingredient to great accomplishment is intention. Webster’s defines intention as: “a determination to act in a certain way”, but we are going to toughen it up a bit to read: “a relentless determination to achieve a certain goal or task—no matter what.”

Being intentional is a determination to act in a certain way. It is this intention that allows you to succeed despite all the challenges that would seem to indicate otherwise. It is intention that keeps you moving forward. It is intention that allows for brilliant actions that defy reality—your reality.

So, where is this intention, and where can you buy it?

Fortunately, we have intention at hand at all times. Reflect on your life. You can see, in hindsight
that you have been living an intentional life all along. You learned to walk,
dance, sing, talk, read, and ride a bike with your reserve of intention.
Unfortunately we are also very intentional about staying safely within the
walls of our box.

It is almost impossible to re-invent ourselves alone. Anything you do alone is inside the box. Great people don’t act alone. They may spend most of their time alone, but they have a world around them that is demanding they be great. How is this? They say what they are going to accomplish—before it is possible—and then they act. Specifically, they tell the people around them—but not just anybody—they tell people who will hold them to account for what they said they are going to do, people who won’t let them quit when the going gets tough. And it will get tough. That is what a coach is for.

In the comments below, please share an instance where your intentionality overcame the obstacle that you were facing.  I look forward to hearing from you!