From Intention to Intentionality: How You Actually Close the Gap

A Quick Story (and a very real “back to reality” moment)

As you’re reading this, I’ll be on the road for a speaking engagement.

The talk itself isn’t the challenge — that part I love.

The message is dialed in.

The content is solid.

The delivery is ready.

What’s interesting is everything around it.

The coaching sessions that needed to be rescheduled.

The content that still had to go out.

The follow-ups that couldn’t wait.

The routines that needed to flex — without falling apart.

It would have been easy to say, “I’ll deal with that when I get back,” or “I’ll just figure it out as I go.”

I’ve said those exact words before.

And I’ve also learned — often the hard way — that those are the moments when momentum doesn’t crash loudly.

It slips quietly.

So instead, I paused and asked a better question:

What needs to be realigned so that my commitments don’t compete with one another — and my standards don’t drop?

That’s intentionality.

Not perfection.

Not overplanning.

But deliberate, aligned action — even when things are moving.

Why Awareness Alone Isn’t Enough

Last time, we talked about the difference between intention and intentionality.

You already know what matters.

You already want to follow through.

You already intend to be consistent.

But awareness alone doesn’t close the gap.

What closes the gap is a simple execution system you can return to — especially when life gets busy, momentum picks up, or energy dips.

Here's the mindset piece that most people miss: your brain is wired to conserve energy, not to help you follow through.

When life gets busy, uncertain, or emotionally full-your nervous system defaults to what feels familiar, efficient, or safe.

That's why intention feels satisfying in the moment.

Thinking about doing something gives your brain a small reward-without requiring effort.

But, intentionality requires something different. It requires structure that removes decision fatigue. It requires systems that don't rely on willpower. It requires actions that are simple enough to execute even when that motivational feeling dips.

This isn't a character flaw. It's human psychology.

Why is why closing the gap between intention and intentionality isn't about "trying harder". It's abut designing a rhythm your brain can actually sustain. 

And here's where the recipes comes in.

The Recipe for Closing the Gap (Consistently)

This is the part many people miss.

High performers don’t rely on motivation.

They rely on a repeatable rhythm.

Here’s the one I coach most often — and use myself.

Step 1: Decide What Deserves Intentionality (Not Everything Does)

Most people fail here.

They try to be intentional about everything — and end up consistent with nothing.

Ask yourself:

What is the ONE behavior that, if done consistently, would make everything else easier or unnecessary?

Examples:

• One daily outreach behavior

• One weekly partner conversation

• One morning habit that stabilizes your energy

• One system you finally commit to using

Intentionality starts with restraint.

Step 2: Define the Behavior So Clearly It’s Hard to Avoid

“Be more consistent” is not actionable.

“Work on relationships” is not executable.

Instead:

• When does this happen?

• How long does it take?

• What does “done” look like?

Clarity removes friction.

Friction is what kills follow-through.

Step 3: Attach the Behavior to an Anchor

This is where most people think they’re being intentional — but aren’t.

Intentionality sticks when it’s attached to something that already happens:

• After your morning routine

• Before your first meeting

• At the end of each workday

• Every Friday at the same time

No anchor = optional behavior.

Optional behavior = intention, not intentionality.

Step 4: Create a Simple Review Loop

Not tracking perfectly — just noticing.

At the end of the week, ask:

• Did I do it?

• What helped?

• What got in the way?

• What needs adjusting?

This is how intentionality becomes sustainable instead of rigid.

Why This Matters So Much at the Start of the Year

January doesn’t require intensity.

It requires alignment.

The professionals who win this year won’t be the ones who start the fastest — they’ll be the ones who build rhythms they can maintain when things speed up.

And that starts now-today!

This Week’s Challenge

Choose one behavior you want to move from intention to intentionality.

Then:

• Define it clearly

• Anchor it

• Execute it for one week

• Review with curiosity-not judgement

That’s it.

Small, intentional actions — repeated — are what create extraordinary results.

A Final Thought

Intentionality isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing what matters — on purpose — even when life gets full.

I’m glad we’re back together this year.

And I’m excited for what we’re building — one intentional step at a time.