Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7 ESV)

In his book The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player, John Maxwell defines being intentional as working with purpose and making every single action count. Successful leaders are intentional. They know what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Here are a few principles to help you become more intentional:

1. Have a purpose worth living fore. Willis R. Whitney, the first director of General Electric’s research laboratory, observed, “Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to do, when all they need is ONE reason why they can.”

• What is that ONE great reason WHY you need to stay the course?
• What idea, cause, or mission are you willing to go bankrupt for?
• What, perhaps WHO, would suffer if you gave up now?

2. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Playing to your strengths rekindles passions and renews your energy.

• What are your current strengths?
• How can you play to them with greater precision?

3. Prioritize your responsibilities. Once you know the “why” of your life, it becomes much easier to figure out the “what” and “when.”

• Define WHY you exist, and then determine what it takes to fuel that.
• What are your core values, principles, and convictions?

4. Learn to say no. You can’t accomplish much without focus. If you try to do every good thing that comes your way, you won’t excel at what you were made to do.

• What good thing are you doing right now that pulls focus away from the bigger picture?
• Your energy is limited. Define boundaries on how you will invest your energy emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.

5. Commit yourself to long-term achievement. Most victories in life are achieved through small incremental wins sustained over time. You don’t necessarily need a touchdown right now, just move the chains with a little first down here and there. Do the little things that build momentum.

• What little things can you implement today that will move the chains and sustain a drive toward the preferred outcome? Focus on those little things and you will make progress toward the long-term achievement without getting so discouraged with the bigger picture.
• Don’t forget to employ thanksgiving in this season of your life. Thank God for what you have right now. Gratitude fuels your vision and your energy. Fuel up often!