Six Steps of Intentionality to Achieve Goals
Achieving the change or outcome you desire normally demands heightened focus and a willingness to try different approaches: It requires intention. Being intentional is more important today as we constantly face the dichotomy that comes with contrasting goals, such as:
- Managing performance issues while increasing employee retention
- Improving employee engagement while working in a hybrid environment
- Doing more with less
Any of this sound familiar?
Oftentimes, leaders view the items above as either/or situations rather than both/and scenarios. Approaching goals with intentionality is the difference maker.
When facing what looks like competing choices, I’ve found that the following six steps of intentionality help in creating positive outcomes and achieving goals:
- Write down your goals. Studies show that the act of writing down goals makes them more real; it increases the desire to pursue them and the opportunity to achieve them. This is often the first act of intentionality. Writing down your goals moves them beyond the thought or dream stage.
- Prioritize. Know what is urgent compared to important. Recognize things that can be delayed or eliminated based on the value to the desired goal. Intentionality requires prioritization. Determine what’s imperative and get uncluttered by dismissing nonessential elements that detract and don’t add value.
- Involve others. The days of the superhero leader are over. Most things get accomplished through teams and collaborations with others. People want to know how they can contribute to group or organizational goals. Sharing your intentions by providing a vision and gaining alignment on the goals and outcomes also invites new ideas and solutions from others.
- Learn and adapt. Modify plans while remaining steadfast to your intentions. Course-correct to what works and drop what doesn’t. Intentionality requires continuous learning and willingness to change and adapt tactics to deal with situations.
- Invest in the outcome. It often takes additional resources and investment to bring about notable change or higher-level outcomes. Invest in yourself, your team and/or your organization by dedicating focused resources to goal achievement. Bringing in the right consultant or coach can often make a significant difference in the outcome.
- Persevere. Setbacks and unforeseen barriers are common when pursuing any major goal. Often, the original goal or timeline needs modification based on information gained as we learn and adjust. People who persevere believe in themselves and their visions; they overcome obstacles and explore new paths to achieve their objectives. Intentionality inspires the perseverance necessary to learn from previous attempts or failures and brings new understanding to the continued pursuit of goals.
“Intention fills the car with gas” – Jay Shetty
The intentional person attaches purpose to their work. Purpose fuels the engine. It drives the understanding of what the stated outcome can achieve; often, it creates followers who admire the vision and determination demonstrated by the leader.
How can coaching help you or your organization become more intentional so you can achieve the outcomes you desire?
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Lance Hazzard, PCC, CPCC, is a certified Intelligent Leadership Executive Coach helping people and organizations achieve success. Lance and Eric T. Hicks, Ph.D., co-authored Accelerating Leadership, published in June 2019. Lance is Executive Coach and President at Oppnå® Executive & Achievement Coaching. More information on the book, Lance and Oppnå® Coaching can be found at the links below: