Key: Think ahead, foresee challenges, and create a winning strategy.
We think ahead, considering our next step before it’s time to take it.
We look ahead, foresee danger (or change, challenges, etc.), and take precautions to stay ahead.
“A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Prov 22:3 TLB
“Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later” Prov 22:3 GNT
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein
Proper preparation prevents poor performance.
“We are purpose-driven and values-led.”
You either lead change or change will lead you.
We dream big and start small.
Definition: What does it mean to be intentional?
to intend (v) = to have (a course of action) as one’s purpose or plan.
intention (n) = a thing intended; an aim or plan.
intentional (adj) = “Done deliberately; Planned, weighed, or estimated in advance.”
To be intentional means to do things on purpose. That involves thinking ahead, planning, and doing them. It means evaluating our decisions in the present based on how they will affect the future (Cloud 2006, Ch.3). Our God is very intentional. He planned all of human history, in advance. The book of proverbs gives a lot of sound advice about being intentional–i.e., thinking ahead and planning. Those who are wise, live intentionally.
Think-ahead = to think carefully about what might happen in the future, or to make plans for things you want to do in the future; also, to prepare for a future event or situation by thinking about what might happen and then taking steps to improve outcome.
Related article: The Price of Not Being Intentional.
Sample Behaviors for this Value:
- Thinks ahead, always considering our next step before it’s time to take it. “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (Prov 22:3 and Prov 27:12 NLT). We evaluate our decisions in the present based on how they will affect the future.
- Lives out our culture daily; Lives according to our core values and uses them to direct their performance and guide their actions.”
- Prioritizes and Focuses on the one thing that matters. Focus removes distractions.
- Intentional leadership: Envisions the future and takes proactive steps to bring it about. Has a clear vision of where they are going. And every day, they do work towards accomplishing that purpose. They are like people who are on a journey sailing to their destination. They consult the map (their mission, vision, core values) daily to make sure they are moving in the right direction towards reaching their goal.
- Base every decision and action on our core values.
- Embraces and leads change. Looks into the future, anticipates positive change, and stays ahead of it by proactively leading and embracing change. You either lead change or change will lead you. Experiment with new ideas on a small scale before going all-in; Is comfortable with uncertainty, chaos, and messy situations.
- Innovates. One of the best ways to stay ahead of change is through intentional innovation.
- Lives every day and does everything on purpose. What purpose? God’s calling for our ministry, which should align with God’s calling for your life.
- Writes a life story of significance for self through intentional daily activities. When we wake up every day, we are given a new blank page to write our life story. This story is written by the choices we make and the things we do that day. Intentional people chose to write their best stories possible each day.
- Does work that matters to those they feel called to serve; Makes the most of every moment. Even though they are mission and vision-driven, they intentionally live mindfully in the moment.
- Creates and follows OKRs that align with the organization’s OKRs.
Intentional living is living on purpose. In the words of K.P. Yohannan, It is living in the light of eternity. It is prioritizing God’s will and his calling for us daily. It is both strategic and inspired living.
Core areas of intentionality
Below are some core areas of intentionality for our ministry.
- Intentional with vision and strategy; thinking head and considering our next step before it’s time to take it. This is not limited only to global organization vision but to every task worth doing.
- Intentional with living out culture.
- Intentional with innovation and simplification. Invent and simplify. We “expect and require innovation and invention from teams and always find ways to simplify.” Leaders “are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by ‘not invented here.'” [Amazon]
- Intentional with prioritization and focusing (on the one thing that matters).
- Intentional with leading change (stay ahead of change).
- Intentional about walking with the Spirit.
Q: How am I thinking ahead and considering our next step before it’s time to take it? Am I regularly evaluating my decisions in the present based on how they will affect the future?
Some Bible Verses
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Prov 22:3 TLB
“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12 NLT
“We should make plans—counting on God to direct us.” Proverbs 16:9 TLB
“Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.” Proverbs 16:3 MSG
“Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.” Proverbs 21:5 MSG
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5 ESV
“Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.” Proverbs 24:3-4 TLB
“Don’t go ahead with your plans without the advice of others; don’t go to war until they agree.” Proverbs 20:18 TLB
“It’s better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.” Proverbs 24:5-6 MSG.
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” Luke 14:28-30 NIV
“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained. But happy is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18 NASB
Helpful Resources
Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters by John Maxwell.
Bibliography
Cloud, Henry. 9 Things a Leader Must Do: How to Go to the Next Level–And Take Others With You. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006.
