The Power of Purity of Intent: Success Starts Within

General description of ‘Purity of intent’ is having only God as the object of our love, desires, thoughts, and actions. Since Lord Krishna’s advice is on ‘mind development’, We can infer that he meant single minded focus with good intention and tuning the thoughts and actions well aligned to the purpose.

"When your focus is singular and your intention pure, the fragrant flowers of success blossom naturally."

‘Purity Of Intent’ need not always allude to notions of nobility or morality. ‘Purity of Intent’ can include materialistic intents including maximizing profit as well. No need to be ashamed of materialistic intents.

I heard some businessmen mentioning that the purpose of their business is to increase employment opportunities, help others, etc, etc. This is a noble thought but may not be an ideal example for ‘purity of intent’.

Sustainable businesses are not built with the intention to help others. They are built with the intention to add value to the lives of those buying [or using] your goods or services. From such value, you generate income which you may then utilize to help others. Generating value through your offering has to be the primary intention of every business or it has no hope of ever becoming profitable.

No matter what you undertake, if you want to succeed, you must acquire the most fundamental ingredient of success and that is, purity of intent. If your intention is pure, you will gain determination and inner strength naturally. This universe has abundant resources. The universe can align resources for you easily, if you can show ‘purity of intent’.

In simple terms, ‘purity of intent’ means ‘Being true to your cause and being honest with yourself’.

All resources we require to do anything at all in life are already there in this universe in one way or the other. It’s the purity of intention that brings those resources together. If you are not confused about what you want and your actions align with your intention, you are well on your way to success.

Being honest to yourself includes living as a role model to demonstrate what you preach. Vivekananda gave a clarion call “Arise, Awake” and demonstrated the same spirit by swimming in the ocean to reach the rock which eventually became Vivekanandar Rock. Imagine the call being given by a wobbling old man who could not stand steady. Would anyone arise?

Gandhiji practiced what he believed and preached what he practiced. That is the essence of ‘being honest with yourself’. A leader cannot expect commitment from the staff if he/she does not practice commitment.

Recall the story related to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa covered in my book Grandma in the Boardroom. Ramakrishna bought time to advice a young boy on the perils of eating too much of sweets because he used the time to change his habit of eating sweets.