BEING INTENTIONAL!

54 Comments / Faith, Leadership, Life & Development

Greetings to you there, and a very happy new February to you.
So some useful questions came in as to what the theme “Being Intentional” really means. And you know, it made me realise that just because the theme plainly says “Being Intentional”, doesn’t mean everyone
understands it as ought, and thus with the intent of making it understood to everyone as much as is possible, I need to keep defining and redefining the theme as I received/conceived it.
So what does “Being Intentional” mean?
The word ‘Intentional’ derives from the word ‘Intention’ which means ‘what one wants to do or bring about’. And the word ‘Intention’ comes from ‘Intent’. Intent as a noun from Merriam-Webster dictionary means ‘the state of mind with which an act is done’. And as an adjective from same dictionary, means, ‘having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose’. Let’s quickly jump to the meaning of Intentional from same dictionary: ‘done by design’.
So you see, the word Intentional comes with two implications:

An intention, a goal, a purpose, a vision, an end, or a target, etc. That is, if someone is said to be Intentional, he/she must have something that they’re aiming at to get, do or achieve.
Secondly, he/she must actively engage the perceived right actions to put in place in order to get, do or achieve their aim.

You see, between March and June 2020, so many governments of countries including Africa’s, declared a lock down of their country. Although, the decision affected the economy of some African countries, the intention of these countries’ governments was to contain or control the spread of the COVID-19, using their perceived right ways. The governments were Being Intentional as regards the problem that
faced them.

If we remember somewhere in 2019, everyone was surprised and wondering why the Nigerian government didn’t seem to want to sign the AfCFTA Treaty. Now whether or not the government was working on it, we all must have assumed that the government was not Being Intentional as regards the state of our economy because, signing the treaty will surely help our economy and the African economy at large. Read more about AfCFTA https://www.tralac.org/resources/infographic/13795-status-of-afcfta- ratification.html.

If I fall to the ground, and realise that I can’t stand again maybe because of a fracture or my weight, I will call to you: “please help me up, brother or sister”. I wouldn’t wait there, hiding my inability, wishing that somehow you will pity me and help me. I will call out to you for help. I am Being Intentional with my aim of standing up from the ground.

If I need a job, and I understand the system that I’m in – one that needs a connection and adequate competence to get a job. I will build my competence, publicize my skills through LinkedIn and other platforms/means, and while doing so, I will put call through to some of the influential people on my contact list, and then I will keep reminding them.

If I have a product but no customers, I will reach out to you, with the product so that you’ll buy or help me market/advertise it, and then I’ll keep disturbing you (in the very reasonable sense of that word to give me feedback of when and where to supply. I won’t just assume you’ll pick it up without forgetting, I will keep reminding you. Meanwhile, I won’t put the whole of my survival on you, I will call the other person too, and I will take the product to retailers and other people that I don’t know before now.

If I feel down, disconnected from my faith. I will fast, pray, study the scriptures, as I wait to hear what my Creator is saying to me so that I will be strong again. No, I will not wait or over worry or get depressed. I will do the necessary to get connected again.

When I keep this attitude continuously in every area of my life – that is, to intend for something and actively take necessary actions to achieve those intentions – I am Being Intentional.
When I take good inventory of my situations, perceive rightly, take decisions to change those situations (i.e. aim), and then actively engage necessary and right actions to change those situations, I am Being Intentional. You see, the direct opposite of Being Intentional is passively hoping that your aim will become realize
without your active participation. That participation might be involving someone, asking for counsel, asking for help, doing it yourself, taking decisions, setting goals, etc. You know it. Just do it. Be Intentional
Blessings!