Little Red Riding would have had all sorts of cues that something was amiss – a strange smell, things arranged differently, maybe hair stood up on back of her neck, of a chill ran down her spine. Feelings such as these are there to help us; they keep us alive. They’re strong, because they’re designed to over-ride “thinking” and impel immediate action. Little Red Riding did exactly what she shouldn’t have in a possibly dangerous situation – she started asking questions.

As adults, we receive same cues and need to learn to heed them. If something “smells fishy” it probably is, no matter what you’ve been told or led to believe. If you “get creeps” getting out of your car in a dark, empty parking lot, pay attention to this signal. If someone is promising you something and it doesn’t “feel” right, you’re getting a message for a reason.

Intuition is an emotional intelligence competency we’re all born with, but we can learn to pump up volume, invite it into our life for guide it can be, and heed its messages. It’s important all time, but if you have a dangerous occupation (such as nuclear engineering), it’s especially important.

Don’t get caught staring into a mouth of wolflike teeth and starting to count molars!

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” and so we add “ality” on end, which is a commitment to action. It means following through until “intention” becomes a reality.

WORK

Intentionality is work. Here’s a picture of work horse all hitched up and ready to go: http://www.ranchgallery.com/Team.jpg. Notice harness and blinders. When farmer gets ready to go to work, he puts harness and blinders on horses. This is their signal it’s time to go to work. The blinders keep out any peripheral distractions.

When you’re ready to get intentional about your life, keep this picture in mind. Get serious. Put on harness and blinders, figuratively. Then you can only see what’s in front of you – your row to hoe, as it were – and you’ll likely finish task.