Intention is Everything
People want to know what the ultimate secret is to achieving their goals.  It isn't the particular skills, the contacts, or the strategy that you develop. That comes later. It's your complete INTENTION to achieve your stated goal. This is true whether you want to quit smoking, lose weight, change careers, or become a world-famous filmmaker. (hold that thought)

What is intention?
Intention is knowing in your heart that you are dedicated to the outcome. That it's right, that it's in harmony with your nature, your essence,  and your destiny. That you will succeed no matter what. You believe fully, with your whole being, that you will succeed. Once you are in that place, nothing can stop you. From there, all the goal setting, the skill development, your strategies, will follow. You are in the zone. And you can't force intention.  If you find yourself trying to force intention, it won't work. Something is wrong--you either aren't ready to go forward for whatever reason, or what you're trying to do is simply not right for you.  

George Lucas had it right. Remember the scene in Star Wars when Luke fails  to lift his jet out of the swamp using only the power of his mind?  Master Yoda then does it effortlessly.  A dumbfounded Luke gasps, "I don't believe it."  And Yoda wisely replies, "That is why you failed."  (proving you can find truth in unlikely places)

Trying Isn't Good Enough
You can tell when people don't have the intention to succeed. It's easy to spot. They say, "I'm going to try to quit smoking."  I'm going to try  to lose weight."   Try to start a business. TRY is the key word here. "Try" reveals doubt. The person does not fully believe they will achieve their goal.  The "try" people usually say this with a slump in their shoulders.  You know right away that person is not going to make it.

Compare that with the people who stand up confidently and state, "I'm going to quit smoking."  "I'm going to lose 20 pounds by summer." Better yet, they speak in the present tense: "I'm a non-smoker." "I run marathons." They believe it. You believe it. They do it.  Remember what else Yoda says? "Do or do not. There is no try." 

Film Rat to Famous Filmmaker
I have a memorable story that demonstrates this. Years ago I worked as a publicist for what was then called the Northwest Film Study Center.The non-profit promoted independent filmmakers. One day a young man came to the office. He was dressed poorly, and his hair was disheveled and shaggy. He nearly looked like one of the homeless people in the neighborhood.  But he marched right up to me and stated, "I'm a film director."  He handed me a business card that said, "Film director."  I knew his name. He had just finished a short black and white film.  I chatted with him for a minute, thinking of him as just another one of what we called the local "film rats."

But I was impressed by how confident he was. He didn't say, "I'm trying to become a film director." He said "I AM a film director." And he had a business card stating it. None of other film rats did that.

The name of that guy is Gus Van Sant. The now world-famous, award-winning film director, Gus Van Sant.  

What's Your Intention?
Take a moment to examine the level of your intentions. Are you at the "try"  level or the "I'm already there" level? Once your intention is clear, the path to achieving your goal will be clear too. It will be as though it's already done.


(Have your own story about trying vs. intention? Post a comment!  If you like this blog, tell your friends and associates about it.)