Intentions vs. Actions

How often do you want to do something—even make plans to do it—but never follow through with it??

Let’s say you’re finally ready to start exercising. You get some snazzy new workout clothes and sneakers, maybe one of those fancy water bottles, with the aim of taking a walk every day.?

But then what happens? Maybe it’s too hot or cold, or you didn’t sleep well, or you’re just not feeling it that day.?

You’ll just go tomorrow, right? Sure you will.

While your intentions were good, it was your follow-through that was the problem, which is the crux of the intention-action gap.?

Common with people, this can also plague businesses, even nonprofits. The intention-action gap within an organization refers to the difference between its stated values and goals and its actual actions.?

Basically, they don’t do what they say they’re going to.

You may remember this, but one example is Wells Fargo, which claimed to focus on ethical banking but instead defrauded customers for years and ended up having to pay back billions after settling a lawsuit. Talk about an intention-action gap.

So, I pose the question: Are your organization’s intentions aligning with your actions?

Common Challenges Nonprofits Face

If you’ve discovered that your nonprofit has fallen into the gap, you first need to figure out why.?

Lack of visibility and transparency into your actions can hinder your efforts and their impact.?

Another reason could be due to donor retention. You may want to foster better relationships but simply aren’t doing enough to maintain them.?

In addition, your goal could be to engage with younger audiences, but a lack of a clear and actionable strategy contributes to your intentions falling short.?

Turning Intentions into Actions: Practical Tips

So, how can you do what you say you’ll do??

By:

• Leveraging technology and digital tools for better engagement.
• Building accountability systems to track metrics and measure success.
• Prioritizing transparency in which you share outcomes, not just promises.

Leadership Accountability

You know what they say about fecal matter and the direction in which it rolls, right??

If you want to close the intention-action gap, this has to start from the top.?

It is leadership’s job to foster a culture of responsibility. Leaders also need to create alignment between organizational goals and daily actions, and they can do this by:

• Setting clear goals.
• Creating detailed action plans.
• Establishing routines.
• Implementing accountability measures.

Reflection and Next Steps

Think about your organization's current practices. Are you measuring success effectively? Are you prioritizing action over good intentions? Are you actually doing what you say you will??

What could you start doing right now to bridge the intention-action gap?

For your nonprofit to do good (and also be profitable), your actions have to align with your intention. The key to creating lasting impact is consistent, intentional action.

Liked what you read today? Let me know what else you’d like me to talk about in the comments!?