Unlocking Personal and Business Growth: The Power of Intent
In the "Pursuit of Purpose" living out one's core values makes a proven difference. But it is important to understand it takes constant attention or intent to live out and write the life story that we desire. This year's MiPPA President, Tony Shereda MAS told me that this year he wanted our board to focus on "intention" - to understand that all of our actions need to be intended to align with our values and our strategic plans. It got me thinking about intent and was the muse behind this month's essay.
In the pursuit of success, whether on a personal or professional level, one of the most potent tools in our arsenal is often overlooked: intent. Defined as a conscious determination to achieve something, intent acts as the guiding force behind our actions, shaping our decisions and outcomes in both personal and business endeavors. It serves as the compass that directs us towards our goals, illuminating the path ahead and infusing our efforts with purpose and meaning.
Intent is more than just a fleeting desire or wishful thinking; it is a deliberate choice to pursue a specific outcome with unwavering focus and dedication. When we approach life with intent, we harness the full extent of our potential, channeling our energy and resources towards objectives that align with our values and aspirations.
At its core, intent empowers individuals and organizations to:
Set Clear Goals: Intent provides clarity of purpose, enabling us to define our goals with precision and specificity. By articulating what we want to achieve, we create a roadmap that guides our actions and decisions.
Maintain Focus: In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, intent serves as a constant reminder of what truly matters. It helps us stay focused on our objectives, filtering out noise and irrelevant detours along the way.
Overcome Challenges: Intent fuels resilience in the face of adversity. When confronted with obstacles or setbacks, individuals and businesses driven by intent exhibit a relentless determination to persevere and find creative solutions.
Drive Innovation: Intent fosters a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation. By striving to achieve our goals with purposeful intent, we are more likely to explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Numerous individuals and organizations have harnessed the power of intent to achieve remarkable success across various domains. Apple Inc., under the leadership of Steve Jobs, exemplified the power of intent in driving innovation and market disruption. Jobs' relentless focus on creating products that seamlessly integrate design, technology, and user experience reflected Apple's core intent to redefine the way people interact with technology. This commitment to excellence and purpose continues to shape Apple's success story to this day.
Intentional living is deeply intertwined with the concept of core values – the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide our actions and decisions. When we align our intent with our core values, we not only pursue success but also cultivate a sense of fulfillment and authenticity in our lives.
For instance, Patagonia, the outdoor apparel company, has built its brand around a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. By infusing every aspect of its business operations – from product design to supply chain management – with the intent to minimize environmental impact and support ethical practices, Patagonia demonstrates how living out core values through intent can drive both purpose-driven business growth and positive societal impact.
Intent serves as a catalyst for personal and business growth, enabling individuals and organizations to navigate challenges, achieve goals, and live out their core values with purpose and conviction. By harnessing the power of intent, we unlock untapped potential within ourselves and unleash a force capable of driving meaningful change in the world around us.
But don't only "Intend" to act. Write your story with intent and make it a good one!
Paul Kiewiet MAS+ is an industry speaker, writer, consultant and coach. He serves as the executive director of MiPPA. Kiewiet was inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame and the MiPPA Hall of Fame. He served as Chairman of PPAI in 2007. A former distributor, he founded Promotion Concepts, Inc in 1982 and worked with some of America’s most valuable brands including Coca-Cola, Kelloggs, and Whirlpool.