Intentional for Dummies

Intentional is a word that we often use to describe actions that we do on purpose, ones that we plan and think about beforehand. It's a bit like when we decide to eat an ice cream cone because we really want it and we know that it will make us happy. We choose to do it, and we know exactly what we're doing and why we're doing it. That's being intentional.

But let's dive a little deeper into the different meanings of this word. Sometimes we use "intentional" to talk about something that was done deliberately or consciously. It means that the person who did it had a clear idea in their mind about what they wanted to achieve or what effect their actions would have. For example, if someone bumps into you on the playground, and you later find out that they did it on purpose, with the intention of getting a reaction out of you, that's when we say it was an intentional act.

So, being intentional means doing something on purpose, with a clear idea of what you want to achieve or the effect you want to have, whether it's on yourself or on other people.

Let me give you another example. Imagine you are a basketball player, and you want to score a three-point shot in the game. You know that if you shoot the ball from a certain distance and angle, it has a better chance of going into the net. So, you focus all your attention, aim carefully, and shoot the ball. And guess what? It goes right through the hoop! That's an intentional shot because you planned and thought about it before you did it.

Now, think about a time when you were doing homework. You were solving a math problem, and you needed to find the answer. You thought about different strategies you could use and then decided on the best one. You intentionally applied that strategy to solve the problem. And when you finally got the correct answer, you knew it was because of your intentional effort to solve the problem.

So, being intentional is like being the captain of your own ship. You are in control of your actions and decisions. You have a goal in mind, and you make choices that help you reach that goal. It's about being thoughtful, purposeful, and aware of what you are doing.

So, to sum it up, intentional means doing something on purpose, with a clear idea of what you want to achieve or the effect you want to have. It's like making a plan and putting that plan into action, whether it's to score a basketball shot or solve a math problem.