The Power of Intention: Declaring Boldly, Acting Daily
Goals without intention are like boats without rudders. They drift. Intention gives direction, focus, and energy. When you declare an intention and commit to it, your life organizes around it.
Chris Nikic gave us a vivid example. Before his first Ironman, he signed the wall at Lucky’s Lake Swim with the words “World Champion.” His father asked him what he meant. Chris replied, “Ironman.” That moment of intention changed everything. His training, his actions, and ultimately his historic achievement flowed from that bold declaration.
Intention in Community
Lucky’s Lake Swim is more than a fitness tradition. It is a community rooted in intention. “We don’t care how rich or poor, what color of skin, or what political affiliation. The uniting thing is we all love to swim, and somehow we make that all work together here.”
That intention of inclusivity created a space where tens of thousands of people, from Olympians to first-timers, could swim side by side. The intention shaped the outcome.
The Intention Framework
Choose one bold intention
It should excite you, stretch you, and give you focus.Make it visible
Declare it publicly or write it where you see it every day.Attach small aligned actions
Intention without practice is empty. Pair it with specific daily behaviors.Practice mental rehearsal
Visualize yourself living out the intention in real situations.Reflect and adjust
If you fall short, treat it as feedback. Realign and try again.
Weekly Tactic: One Intention, Seven Alignments
This week, select one bold intention and design seven small daily actions that align with it. For example, if your intention is to “lead with generosity,” your actions could include thanking a colleague, mentoring a junior associate, or supporting a community cause.
Each evening, rate yourself on a scale of 0–10. Did you live out the intention today? Write down why or why not. At the end of the week, reflect on how the intention shaped your focus and decisions.
Intention has power because it anchors your choices. When declared and practiced daily, it becomes the organizing force of your mindset. Like Chris Nikic declaring “World Champion” before his Ironman, your bold intention can turn audacious dreams into lived reality.