Better Doesn’t Happen by Chance

Have you ever noticed how things tend to fall apart when left unchecked? A clean desk becomes cluttered, relationships grow distant, and goals slip further out of reach. This is the concept of entropy at work—a natural tendency for things to drift into disorder when there’s no effort to maintain them.

This concept holds true for our lives. Without intention, life doesn’t just stand still, and it doesn't magically get better. It unravels. Better doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by design, by effort, and most importantly, by intention.

Intention is the antidote to entropy. It’s the driving force that keeps us aligned with our goals and moving toward the life we want. But intention isn’t just about deciding what you want; it’s about building the clarity, systems, discipline, accountability, and grit to make it real.

When you think about living a life you love, hitting your goals, or reaching new heights, it’s easy to imagine that success just happens—that one day, you’ll wake up and everything will be different. Wouldn't that be nice. But in my 40 years on this planet, I feel confident in saying that’s not how it works. You don’t drift toward better. You drift toward chaos.

5 Concepts That Create Intention

Clarity is the starting point of intention. Without a clear direction, you’ll wander aimlessly, reacting to whatever life throws your way. Think of it like a GPS: if you don’t know your destination, even the best tools can’t help you get there.

But clarity alone isn’t enough. You need systems—structures that support your efforts and keep you on track. Systems take the guesswork out of progress. They ensure that every step you take is moving you closer to your goals. Without them, even the best intentions can falter under the weight of daily distractions.

And then there’s discipline—the unsung hero of intention. Discipline isn’t glamorous, but it’s what keeps you showing up when the excitement fades or when life gets hard. It’s doing the work even when you don’t feel like it, trusting that every small action compounds into meaningful progress over time.

Accountability is another critical piece that goes hand in hand with discipline. We like to believe we’re self-sufficient, but the truth is, we all need support. Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or even a friend who holds you to your word, accountability keeps you honest about your goals and reminds you why you started when things get tough.

We can't forget grit—the resolve to keep going when the odds are against you. Success is rarely a straight path. Grit is what helps you weather the setbacks and stay focused on the bigger picture.

Without intention, entropy wins. Period. I see it every day. Relationships grow distant, habits fall apart, and dreams remain just that—dreams. But with intention, you can chart a course toward the life you want, one step at a time.

The beauty of intention is that it’s within your control. You don’t have to wait for the perfect time or the perfect circumstances.

You just have to decide. Decide to get clear on what you want. Decide to build systems that support your goals. Decide to show up with discipline, lean on accountability, and dig deep with grit.

Better doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by design.