They say the road to hell is paved with intentions.
Intentions alone maybe, but the road to maximizing your potential is paved with intentions plus action.
One of the definitions of intentions is "the act or instance of determining mainly upon an action or result," and that's where people stop short.
You want the result, but you take no action.
Here's the definition of intentions that I like better, "a purpose or an attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct."
What's the definition of effect? The effect is the power of one's action toward the result, so intentions are the power or influence towards one's actions.
Actions must align with intentions.
Many people have the intention to lose weight, but their actions say otherwise, which is why they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
But if you really want to change, you have to go through hell to get your desired results, and you will if your actions align with your intentions.
THE FIRST TWO WEEKS WERE HELL FOR ME when I was trying to lose weight because I had to say no to all of my indulgences.
No to beer.
No appetizers.
No to seafood platters.
No gumbo. (Kill me, please)
But strangely, my actions lined up with intentions, and my new identity began shaping.
When actor Matthew McConaughey heard casting director Don Phillips was in town, he went to have drinks with him, but he didn't go there just to have drinks; he went there with the expressed intention to let him know he wanted a role. It may have taken him 5 hours to work it into the conversation, but he did not leave until McConaughey let it be known.
The same thing happened when he was cast in John Grisham's book turned into a movie, "A Time To Kill." He expressed his intentions to director Joel Schumacher, "Hey, I should be cast in the lead role." McConaughey was an up-and-comer and knew Schumacher would say, "No Way!" Yet he said, "Hey anyway."
Hey. No way!
Because McConaughey expressed intentions, things beyond his control took shape, and he ended up getting the lead role even though he wasn't "qualified."
But what if he'd never expressed his intentions?
You expect people to know what you want, but it doesn't work that way. You have to express your intentions and back them with action.
You have to say, "Hey, this is what I want," and even if it's a "No way," you say, "Hey," anyway, and you act accordingly.
Most people lack conviction with their intentions.
I've had salespeople tell me they wanted to be in management, and I was surprised because their intentions didn't align with their intentions.
See, a 13-year-old can want to be a professional athlete, but if his actions don't align with his intentions of becoming best in the school, best in the district; best in the state; best in the country, he'll never become the best in the world.
There's a couple of things I want to leave with you today.
#1. Express your intentions. let it be known, and don't pull your punch.
#2. Even if you don't see how in the hell you're going to get there, lace-up and take action anyway because you'll pick up knowledge, clarity, and connections along the way.
I'm pulling for you. Let me know how your progress is going. You can find me at www.marshbuice.com. While there, you have free access to thousands of videos, blog posts, and podcasts.
Remember, the greatest sale you'll ever make is selling you on you. Stay amazing. Stay in The Sales Life.
