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Over the last few weeks, I’ve had some truly powerful coaching sessions, received amazing questions from many of you, and reflected deeply on a core theme that keeps surfacing—intention.
It’s a simple word with profound implications, and today I want to unpack what it really means to set an intention, why it matters so much, and how it can radically change the way you live and lead.
Let me start with a question . . . Do you create your own reality, or do you let your reality create you?
Another way to put it is:
Are you setting intentions for your life, or are you drifting along with whatever life throws at you?
This distinction might sound philosophical, even abstract. But from years of coaching overworked, overwhelmed managers—leaders who deeply care about their growth, their teams, and their impact—I can tell you that the intentions you set are one of the strongest predictors of your success. And more than that, your fulfillment.
Intention Is Not a Wish
After a recent video I shared, I received a message from someone who said, "Well, I set the intention to win the lottery—and guess what, I didn’t!"
Let’s get one thing straight: intention is not a wish.
It's not magical thinking. It’s not “manifestation” in the casual, Instagram-able sense. Intention is commitment. It’s clarity. It’s aligning your energy, your actions, and your mindset with a clear purpose.
If you intend to “win the lottery,” the real question is: Why?
What’s behind that desire? Is it financial freedom? Peace of mind? The ability to support a loved one or make a meaningful impact? Until you get radically honest about the why beneath the wish, you won’t be able to move toward a life that truly reflects your values.
When I coach clients, one of the first steps we take is peeling back those layers—getting from surface wants to deeper truths. Once you’re clear on the what and the why, the how becomes flexible. The tools, tactics, and even the timeline might shift, but your destination remains firm.
Stop Being the Obstacle
Here's a powerful (and very human) truth: We often get in our own way.
I’ve had clients who, despite all their commitment to growth, were unintentionally self-sabotaging. Not because they didn’t want to succeed, but because something deep down was whispering, “You’re not good enough.” Or, “People like you don’t get that kind of success.”
Sound familiar?
Maybe you’ve said to yourself: “I really want that promotion, but I probably don’t deserve it.” Or, “I wish I could start something of my own, but I’m not the kind of person who succeeds at that.”
Let me tell you something: That’s just a story. A story you’ve been telling yourself. One that might have roots in your past, in limiting beliefs, in fear or trauma—but a story nonetheless. And the beautiful thing about stories is that they can be rewritten.
When my clients confront those internal blocks and reframe their narratives, their energy shifts. They stop sabotaging and start showing up with clarity, confidence, and purpose. They become the kind of leader who creates momentum instead of waiting for permission.
Intentional Living Requires Accountability
Another great piece of feedback I received was: "Well, I might have an intention to grow in my career, but ultimately, my boss is the decision-maker. What can I really do?"
A totally fair question. And here’s my answer. . . Intention is not about controlling the outcome—it’s about taking radical responsibility for your path. It’s about refusing to give your power away, even when the external situation isn’t ideal.
Setting an intention means saying: “I am clear on what I want. I know why I want it. And I will do the work—rework my plan, adapt my approach, shift strategies—as many times as needed until I get there.”
Sometimes, that means realizing that your current environment isn’t going to give you what you need—and making a brave move to change jobs or industries. Sometimes, it means developing new skills, learning to advocate for yourself more effectively, or building alliances. The point is: You don’t surrender just because the first door doesn’t open.
The Hard Work That Changes Everything
Let me be transparent: This isn’t easy work.
Digging into your mindset, identifying your real desires, confronting your limiting beliefs, and doing the work required to move through them—that’s hard. But it’s worth it. Because when you operate from a place of clarity and intention, life doesn’t just happen to you—you create it.
Your leadership becomes more authentic. Your communication becomes more purposeful. Your presence becomes magnetic. Not because you're faking confidence, but because you're grounded in your truth.
And here’s the secret . . . When you stop focusing on the “how” and start getting crystal clear on the “what” and the “why,” new possibilities start to emerge. Detours no longer feel like failures. They’re just alternate routes to the same destination.
Final Thoughts
So let me ask you again:
What intentions are you setting today, to be better off tomorrow ?
What limiting beliefs are you willing to confront and rewrite, so you can move out of your own way ?
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