The Purpose

The first thing I want to write about is my purpose in keeping this blog. I've been told that a clearly defined purpose is one of the keys to success in any endeavor. As I start this, though, I am not sure exactly what I am trying to accomplish by blogging. I have recently found my purpose in life and keeping a journal of the things I am learning just seems to make sense.

It is most likely that there are others out there who are going through the same struggles I am and maybe something I learn can help them, too. That is how I have become who I am today -- I looked for others who had the same struggles as me and read what they wrote and tried to apply what they did. As I write that in past-tense, I realize that it should probably be present-tense because I am still young and it is a philosophy I live each day.

The title of my blog is Intentional Improvement. I have spent many hours in thought over this phrase. I first came across the idea when I heard an acronym for "life": Living Intentionally For Excellence. My parents taught me to work on myself and that in turn, someday I might change the world. I wanted to keep the title short but also packed with meaning. These two words can carry a lot of weight. 

Intentional: The dictionary I have on my Mac says, "done on purpose, deliberate." Wikipedia has some food for thought:

Intention is a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action or actions in the future. Intention involves mental activities such as planning and forethought.

Folk psychology explains human behavior on the basis of mental states, including beliefs, desires, and intentions. Mental mechanisms, including intention, explain behavior in that individuals are seen as actors who have desires and who attempt to achieve goals that are directed by beliefs. Thus, an intentional action is a function to accomplish a desired goal and is based on the belief that the course of action will satisfy a desire.

I don't know how to describe it better than they put it here: some words just have a feeling that is difficult to describe. What I think about is whether I'm being intentional about my thoughts, words, actions, etc. Am I working deliberately on myself, my marriage, my purpose -- the things I have control over.

Improvement: an advance... in excellence or achievement (dictionary.com); to make better; to change in a positive direction.

So the idea of intentional improvement is basically to purposefully or deliberately make advances in excellence or achievement -- to be working towards excellence for a purpose.

My sincere desire is to encourage others who are on this same journey towards excellence and to inspire others to begin the journey. I know we all have the seeds of greatness in us, I want to help you see that in yourself and BELIEVE it. Where are you on this journey? Are you well on your way? Are you just starting out? Are you thinking about it? Is this the first time it has ever crossed your mind?