Intention: The Surprising Psychology of High Performers Hardcover - 2024

From the jacket flap

Society is more productive than ever, yet as individuals we have never felt so powerless and unengaged, living in a state of languish--neither mentally healthy nor mentally ill, just in a generalized 'blah-ness'.

How did we get here? How is it possible that in an era that has blessed us with longer life expectancy--as well as unprecedented comfort and security--we find ourselves grappling with escalating depression, anxiety, and suicide rates? Why is it that the same modern technology and tools that have made us almost godlike compared to our ancestors leave many of us feeling powerless? How is it that workplaces that have never cared so much about fostering purpose and meaning feel more meaningless than ever? And why is it that more and more people express a sense of disengagement and loss of interest and motivation?

As pervasive as it seems, not everyone is trapped in the gravity of languishing. The ones that have broken free aren't necessarily the richest or the most traditionally successful.

What sets them apart from the rest of us is their ability to act with intention. These aren't just CEOs and top athletes; they're students, stay-at-home parents, minimum-wage workers and artists. Despite the limits of their circumstance, these individuals harness the power of intention and--in some cases--are able to radiate that feeling of intention to others.

Reading this book will give you the tools you need to build your intentionality muscle, and help you overcome the languishing of modern life. This isn't a set of rules for how we should live. It's a call to action to choose to live the way we were meant to--and in doing so, realize our potential as high performers while enjoying the satisfactions of an intentional life.