How to Embrace Intentional Living

Sep 17, 2025

Discover the transformative power of intentional living and how it can lead to a life of significance. Learn how small, deliberate actions can create ripples of change, enhancing both personal growth and leadership. Hear inspiring stories illustrating the impact of prioritizing others and meaningful goals. The hosts discuss creating deeper connections through kindness and ethical practices. Plus, practical advice is provided to help integrate these teachings into your daily life, making every moment count.

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INSIGHT

Ripples Of Intentional Living

Intentional living creates ripple effects beyond small actions and leads to a life that matters.
You become significant by making daily differences with whatever you have, wherever you are.

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ANECDOTE

Childhood Basketball Lesson

John C. Maxwell recounts dribbling on a driveway without a rim as a child to show purposeless practice.
He learned it's no fun to play without a goal and needs purpose to enjoy progress.

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ADVICE

Commit To Doing Not Trying

Stop saying "I'll try" and commit: say "I'll do my best" and act decisively.
Accept initial failure; practice builds competence over repeated attempts.

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Exploring the Power of Intentional Living

02:09 • 4min

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The Power of Intentional Living and Small Actions

06:30 • 3min

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The Power of Intentional Living

09:31 • 5min

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Embracing Intentional Living

14:55 • 17min

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#11376

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From Drift to Drive

Chris Robinson

In 'From Drift to Drive,' Chris Robinson introduces a seven-step framework designed to help leaders identify and overcome success-induced complacency. The book emphasizes the importance of clarity, gathering the right resources, and filtering information effectively. It also highlights the significance of mentorship, building strong relationships, and taking decisive action. The framework encourages continuous evaluation and adjustment to ensure sustainable growth. Robinson challenges readers to move beyond comfortable success and strive for significance in both their professional and personal lives. This guide provides actionable insights for leaders in various fields, promoting intentional growth and a lasting legacy.

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25 Ways to Win with People

John C. Maxwell

Les Parrott III

In '25 Ways to Win with People', John C. Maxwell and Les Parrott provide a comprehensive guide to enhancing interpersonal relationships. The book outlines specific actions, such as complimenting others publicly and encouraging their dreams, to foster a supportive and uplifting environment. It emphasizes the importance of self-improvement and genuine interaction to create meaningful connections.

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How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie

First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations.

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Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

Your Foundation for Successful Leadership

John C. Maxwell

In this book, John C. Maxwell emphasizes the critical role of questioning in effective leadership. He discusses how leaders can use questions to their advantage, including asking themselves and their team members the right questions. Maxwell addresses various topics such as discovering one's unique purpose, daily habits for leaders, motivating unmotivated individuals, and working with difficult leaders. The book is divided into two parts: 'Questions I Ask' and 'Questions Leaders Ask Me,' where Maxwell shares insights from his own experiences and responses to questions from his followers. He highlights the importance of continuous learning, mentorship, and adaptability in leadership, and provides practical advice on managing challenges and fostering a culture of collective learning.

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Developing the Leader Within You 2.0

John C. Maxwell

First released in 1993, John C. Maxwell’s now-classic work revolutionized the way leaders are made. This thoroughly revised and updated edition includes two new chapters with leadership insights and practices learned over the decades. The book outlines principles for inspiring, motivating, and influencing others from any leadership position, including business executives, church leaders, teachers, and parents. It covers key areas such as influence using the 5 Levels of Leadership, character through good ethics and self-leadership, service by asking eight questions to serve others daily, and vision by including eight components to paint a vision for your people.

#8829

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

EVERYONE COMMUNICATES, FEW CONNECT

John C. Maxwell

In 'Everyone Communicates, Few Connect', John C. Maxwell provides five principles and five practices to help leaders and individuals build strong relationships and enhance their communication skills. The book emphasizes the importance of genuine interest, simplicity, and authenticity in connecting with others.

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• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Intentional Living

Choosing a Life That Matters

John Maxwell

In 'Intentional Living,' John C. Maxwell helps readers understand that achieving significance is not dependent on having an amazing idea, being a certain age, having a lot of money, or being powerful or famous. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of being intentional and taking the first step towards making a contribution and being part of something noble and purposeful. Maxwell guides readers on how to start and continue on their personal path to a life that matters, highlighting that every major accomplishment begins with a first step.

If you want to achieve significance and success in life, you have to be intentional! In this episode, John C. Maxwell teaches a lesson on how you can embrace intentional living and make a difference in the lives of others.

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson sit down to talk about what John has shared and offer practical advice that will help you apply what you’ve learned to your life and leadership.

Key takeaways:

Intentional living is the bridge that will lead you to a life that matters. 
Choose a life that matters by becoming an intentional person.

Make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How to Embrace Intentional Living Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/IntentionalLiving and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.”

This episode is sponsored by BELAY:

Leaders, stop trying to do it all yourself. The best leaders know their limits, operate out of their strengths, and set others up for success. Find freedom with BELAY — pairing you with vetted U.S. virtual assistants so you can focus on what matters.   

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References:

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Check out this episode’s featured books...

Chris Robinson’s From Drift to Drive

John Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

John Maxwell’s 25 Ways to Win With People

John Maxwell’s Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

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