Five Tips for Moving from Intention to Action

The intention to make a change can come from many places—our life experiences, our surroundings, or even the example of others who’ve taken action. Sometimes, we notice something that must be addressed and feel compelled to step in. Other times it’s a simple gut feeling that prompts us to ask, “What can I do?” or “How can I help?” But while the urge to act may strike immediately, obstacles often creep in over time. Fear, procrastination, and not knowing where to begin can quietly stall our progress, keeping powerful intentions from becoming meaningful action.

So, how can we begin to move from our good intentions to tangible action? Below are some tips to start your process:

Set your goal 

What do I want to achieve? What do I want to do in my community? With so many things going on, it’s hard to work on everything simultaneously. Set your mind on one goal and think about the change you’d like to see, focusing on one immediate action that will start you on your path. It’s helpful to write down the goal and determine how you will complete it using the SMART acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Creating a SMART goal will allow you to see the steps required to move forward. Some questions to consider include:

• Specific: What is the definite action that I want to take? Should I invite others to help me achieve this goal? What materials or resources will I need?
• Measurable: How will I know that I am making progress with my goal?
• Achievable: How can I accomplish my goal? Are there any limitations to consider?
• Relevant: Is this something that I’m really passionate about? What impact am I hoping to make for the community at large?
• Time-Bound: How much time will I commit to achieving this goal?

Here’s an example of a SMART goal:

I will ask five people to help me collect signatures in support of a neighborhood composting program by September.

Set a specific time frame 

Understanding that taking action may require time and consistency can help you set up a time to achieve a set goal. As stated above, you want to ensure that the action you decide to take is within a reasonable time frame. For instance, if you choose to make a change by volunteering for an organization, consider how much time you can dedicate to volunteering before making a commitment. Or, if you’re planning on organizing a local park cleanup, think about when you’d like to host it. Is this something you want to do monthly? Or is it a one-time project? Setting a time frame will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Invite others to join you 

Share your idea for action and invite friends to join you in your effort. Enlisting the help of others can help you stay accountable to your goal and inspire others to incite change.

You can start a group with people who are just as passionate as you are about the action you’ve decided to take. When forming a group, plan to meet informally with members to discuss the goal and invite feedback. Keep your get-togethers lively by starting your meeting with a fun activity that helps newcomers get to know the group. Make sure to have an agenda with discussion items you’d like to address and encourage members to chime in to get their insights. You may need to meet a few times after the initial gathering, so decide how often to meet as a group and see if others would like an opportunity to facilitate future get-togethers. Finally, group members should decide which tasks they will take to ensure everyone can contribute. 

Take action 

After the initial planning and getting people on board with you (or even deciding to go solo), the next step is to take action. To ensure follow-through, take an initial, smaller step before diving into all the details. Having an accountability partner who will help keep you to your word can be helpful. Self-reflection will also be very beneficial in this process. Ask yourself, “How will I feel if I don’t commit to this needed action?” or “What will be the benefits of seeing the results in the end?”

If other individuals are joining you or you’ve decided to form a group, be sure to check in throughout the process to ensure that everyone is still on the same page and that you all support each other. Be flexible with everyone’s schedules and any other missteps or challenges that may arise. As things come up, decide together what changes may be needed to ensure that results are met.

Lastly, remember that whether you’ve decided to volunteer, donate needed items for a cause, organize a local community initiative, or even help a neighbor with a kind gesture, your act is an excellent contribution to the world at large. Take it in because you’re helping to make a difference.

Celebrate! 

Once you’ve taken the first step, it’s time to celebrate with your community. 

***

Narrowed down your great ideas into one, and now want to move forward with planning your first step? Meet with one of our expert coaches for a free one-on-one session. 

Have you already taken your first step to the finish line and want to inspire others? Share your Recipe for Action with us and help others move forward with their good intentions!