Intent vs. Purpose

Kolp and Rea speak briefly on intentionality on page 181, but is a far bigger concept.  Last Friday and Saturday, I had the privilege of attending a leadership conference held by Oregon PTA.  What struck me in the last couple workshop I attended was the question of intent.  The topic of the workshop was "Effective Practices for PTA Boards."  The facilitator stressed purpose over and over again (which I agree is important), but I believe there should be an equally strong emphasis with the concept of intent.  Purpose is defined as "something set up as an object or end to be attained."  While intent is "the state of mind with which an act is done."  

For example, one woman was frustrated with some of the teachers at her school who left a pricey technological gift unwrapped in the corner.  "They were expensive and now a waste of money," she lamented.  I asked her what her intent was - "to give the teachers a valuable teaching tool."  She laughed when she realized that her intent had been satisfied, but that she could not force the gift to be used. 

Many of the participants of this conference were concerned with meeting attendance and membership increases.  When asked what their purpose was the answer was often "to make parents better parents" or "to raise lots of money for education."   This is all well and good, but one must also question his/her intent within this process.  While they may go hand in hand, quite often they don't.  "Intentionality is our way of stretching between what is and what will be, or could be." (Kolp & Rea, p. 181)  We must honestly and prudently, with wisdom, look within and ask ourselves of our intent.  Purpose will then follow. 

Comments

[Heidi Marmen]

Derecus,
I can see you point completely, but for me it is the state of mind which creates purpose.
Maybe I'm looking at it wrong - I know my intent in life, but am lacking in goals. Perhaps I need to find purpose first?
Chicken or the egg?

[Derecus Slade]

Heidi, I enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you on the need to look at both intent and purpose.

Have a question for you though, in your last sentence you say "We must honestly and prudently, with wisdom, look within and ask ourselves of our intent. Purpose will then follow." Wouldn't intent grow out of purpose? For instance I know that the purpose of my life is to help others find the purpose of their life. So when I meet people and talk with them, I always have the intent of keeping true to my purpose. For me intent is the steps toward the road to purpose.

Just wanted to get your thoughts on that.