Day 4: Why “Good Intentions” Aren’t Enough
You can’t out-care a bad decision.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
KEY INSIGHT: We tend to think that if our heart is in the right place, the outcome will be too. But good intentions don’t protect us from bad results. Most poor decisions don’t happen because people didn’t care – they happen because people didn’t stop to think critically, question their assumptions, or use a sound process. That’s the difference between acting on hope and acting with clarity. If we want better outcomes, we need more than just a strong mindset – we need a reliable method.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Think about a time you had the best of intentions – but the outcome didn’t go the way you hoped.
• What were you trying to accomplish?
• What did you overlook or underestimate?
• If you could go back, what process or structure could have helped you see the blind spots?
TODAY’S EXERCISE: Pick one recent decision—personal or professional. Step 1: Think about what your intention was when you made it. Step 2: Now consider what actually happened. Step 3: Ask yourself: Did I slow down enough before making this call? Did I seek outside input or challenge my own thinking? Was I reacting or responding?
This practice helps reveal gaps between your intentions and your execution – and how to close them moving forward.