🕺🏻 The role of intention in the outcome of our actions

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the role of intention in shaping the outcome of our actions. It’s interesting how the same action, done with different intentions, can lead to different results, both externally and internally.

Consider work. Imagine working twelve-hour days without weekends at your startup. If you aim to solve a real problem for your clients, create something beautiful, and enjoy being creative, those long hours can become a source of energy and meaning. Even if the startup fails, your time wasn’t wasted; you grew, built, and enjoyed the process. But if your intention is to prove your worth and seek validation, the same schedule inevitably leads to burnout. In one case, curiosity leads you, in the other, fear.

This difference is clearer in relationships. Imagine telling a friend or colleague a hard truth. If your intention is to help them grow or share something out of care, they’ll feel your kindness even if your words are difficult. But if you want to punish them for annoying you, even with the same words, the conversation will likely end in a fight. People can read between the lines, hear your tone, feel your energy, and sense what’s behind your words. In one case, you’re led by empathy, in the other, by frustration.

Another relationship example: helping someone because you genuinely want them to be happy is beautiful. But doing the same act out of fear of being seen as a bad friend or being shamed feels different. It builds hidden resentment and creates invisible debts that weigh both sides down.

I’ve been learning to notice my intention before speaking or acting. In theory, it’s simple. In practice, it’s hard. It requires slowing down, paying attention, and being honest with yourself. But it’s worth it. Since I started practicing this, I’ve discovered a lot about myself and my real motivations. Some realizations were painful. Some were liberating. But all helped me untangle parts of my life that felt stuck.

Humans excel at self-deception. We often do good deeds driven by fear, pride, or guilt. These mixed intentions weave into Gordian knots in our lives, complicated problems that can’t be solved by pulling harder on the same ropes. If we find the courage to look at our true intentions honestly, we can begin cutting these knots. With each cut, we create more space for genuine freedom, joy, and authenticity.

Until next Sunday,
George Levin
^{LinkedIn | Consulting}