The Hidden Secret to Crushing Your Goals: Intentionality

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Define what success looks like before you start any task to create focus and purpose.
Anticipate obstacles early and prepare systems to remove them before they interfere.
Intentionality is the productivity hack that turns effort into consistent, predictable results.

There’s a power few talk about when it comes to success—but it’s the difference-maker between grinding and winning. It’s called intentionality. The simple act of setting a clear intention before you start a task is, in my experience, one of the biggest hidden secrets to getting real results.

Too often, people dive headfirst into work without pausing to ask themselves, “What does success look like for this?” That lack of clarity sets you up for distractions, wasted effort, and ultimately, failure to hit the mark. Before you launch into your next project—whether it’s creating content, closing a deal, or building a system—take a moment to define your ideal outcome.

What will success actually look like when you’re done? How will you know you’ve achieved it? Having those answers before you start gives your work purpose and focus.

But it doesn’t stop there. You also have to anticipate obstacles. What’s going to get in the way? Maybe it’s time, energy, a tool that doesn’t quite fit, or your own tendencies to procrastinate. And here’s the critical piece: how are you going to get out of your own way before you even begin?

For me, that looks like automating what I can and anchoring my process with systems. For example, when I’m creating content while walking, I realized early on that the tool I was using—Whisper—only records 15 minutes at a time. But my walks are often 45 minutes or more. That means I’d have to set multiple timers and manage interruptions, which breaks focus and wastes mental energy.

So I adapted. I looked for ways to anchor the process with better tools or workarounds before I started recording. That’s intentionality in action. Anticipating the challenge and solving it ahead of time, so nothing breaks your momentum.

Intentionality isn’t about over-planning or paralysis by analysis. It’s about clarity and preparedness. It’s about creating an environment where success is the default outcome, not a lucky break.

When you combine a clear definition of success with an understanding of potential roadblocks—and you prepare to remove those roadblocks before you hit them—you’re operating at a completely different level.

I challenge you to try this on your next task. Start with these questions: What am I trying to accomplish? How will I know I’m successful? What could prevent success? And critically, how will I prevent those obstacles from slowing me down?

Taking this kind of pause changes the game. It helps you cut through the noise, avoid the frustration of half-done projects, and build consistent momentum.

Remember, success isn’t just about working hard. It’s about working smart. And intentionality is the ultimate productivity hack that separates the winners from the wishers.