Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters

by John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author, helps readers take the first steps to living a life that matters in INTENTIONAL LIVING. We all have a longing to be significant. We want to make a contribution, to be a part of something noble and purposeful. But many people wrongly believe significance is unattainable. They worry that it's too big for them to achieve. That they have to have an amazing idea, be a certain age, have a lot of money, or be powerful or famous to make a real difference.
The good news is that none of those things is necessary for you to achieve significance and create a lasting legacy. The only thing you need to achieve significance is to be intentional. And to do that, all you need to do is start. You can't make an impact sitting still and doing nothing. Every major accomplishment that's ever been achieved started with a first step. Sometimes it's hard; other times it's easy, but no matter what, you have to do it if you want to get anywhere in life.
In INTENTIONAL LIVING," " John Maxwell will help you take that first step, and the ones that follow, on your personal path through a life that matters.

Genres: Leadership, Personal Development, Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Personal Growth, Christian

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

John Calvin Maxwell is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Some of his books have been on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Reviews

[Rachel Blom · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Maxwell is the leadership guru of the Christian world, there’s no denying that. He’s also an incredibly prolific writer, who keeps popping out one book after another. His latest book is Intentional Living—and it’s another inspiring book, though slightly different from his previous works.

First of all, Intentional Living is not explicitly Christian, as many of his books are. It’s aimed at the general market (it’s categorized as ‘business leadership’), while at the same time making no secret of the deep Christian convictions Maxwell has.

More importantly however, this is one of Maxwell’s most personal books. In the various chapters, he shares more of his life story and the choices he has made in his career over the years than before. It gave me a new level of understanding for the man from whom I have learned a lot over the years.
Intentional living is above all a book that aims to inspire—which is both the strength and the underlying weakness. Maxwell is inspiring for certain; his level of passion, commitment, and purpose is contagious. After finishing it, I was determined more than ever to make a difference through my life (or my story, as Maxwell refers to it).

His line of reasoning is solid, as ever. To make a difference, you have to live intentionally, meaning you find your ‘why’ and start doing instead of trying. The chapters on connecting and partnering with like-minded and like-valued people resonated with me especially, since Maxwell makes a convincing point about the true synergetic effect of a great team.

He also keeps stressing how intentional living is about serving others more than anything. Find your ‘sweet spot’, he urges’ and start adding value to other people’s lives. I couldn’t agree more.

Yet after reading the book, one nagging thought kept crashing my ‘high’ of inspiration: where’s the suffering? The whole book is full of positive examples, of ‘if you will it it will happen’, of making your dreams come true and not stopping until they do. There’s no or little room for struggles, for suffering, for taking up your cross and following Jesus despite it all…

Admittedly, this is a theological push back, even a psychological one, but I cannot fully embrace the positive thinking Maxwell embraces here more than ever. In quoting influences like Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, and others, it’s clear where Maxwell is coming from. He believes in positive thinking, in the abundance mindset. I understand where he’s coming from, but I can’t quite get there myself. No amount of positive thinking can counter Jesus’ words that we would suffer for following Him.

So by all means, read this book. It will inspire you, help you to stop dreaming and start doing. But be aware that the theological dish John Maxwell is serving in this supposedly ‘neutral’ book may not be according to your theological taste. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat it—but it does mean that you should test, and hold on to what’s good and real.

[A. Reiter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A man I deeply respect once told me to pay attention to the personal pronouns someone uses. Are they mostly talking about "I" or "my", or "we" and "our"?

Friends of mine think very highly of Maxwell. As this is my first encounter, I can only comment on the premise of this book, and I was left highly disappointed.

Such a great concept, and yet the narrative executed felt so self-lauding and vague. It was lazy. Every sentence had multiple "I"s, every example one of Maxwell's successes.

This topic could have been so much better communicated had it been backed up with external articles, research, content, and a variety of others' perspectives/stories.

As it stands, it reads as a charismatic salesman saying, "This is how you live the most productive meaningful life: be intentional, the why the who the what---and here, what better examples could you find than my own wildly successful life! See? It's so easy/not easy."

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "Intentional Living" by John Maxwell as part of my church's bible study. I have read many books by Maxwell so I knew that his text would encourage my life. Maxwell uses a lot of personal stories to incorporate his message. This book is basically about finding your purpose, living with Intention and being focused with your calling. He encourages the reader to live a life that matters. There is application questions at the end of each chapter. I would recommend reading this book in a group like I did. We were really able to talk about our own unique purpose and how to expand on our individual callings and how to improve the present as well as fulfill future goals. Maxwell has an entire chapter on finding YOUR WHY...why you were put on this earth... defining your passion, interest and goals. Maxwell also encourages the readers to do something that makes a difference: think outside of yourself, be a part of the greater good, think about ways to serve others, etc. There is an entire section about connections, partnerships and finding the right people to work with you towards your dreams. I would recommend this book to anyone who chooses to live a life that matters!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our lives are like a story, there is often the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly that we often want to hide, but overall, the way that we live and what we do is our story. Honestly I had never thought about it in such simple terms until picking up Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell. The great thing is as long as we are alive, we have the ability to shift our story to who we want to be instead of who we might be right now. Instead of living an unintentional life where things just sort of happen, we can begin to live intentionally, and choose to make a difference, then it becomes like a ripple effect where we might just influence someone else. Reading Intentional Living will show the reader the simple steps they need to make to start living life with purpose, and one of the simplest steps is changing ones mindset!

This is the first book I have read by John C. Maxwell and if I had to describe it in one word it would be POWERFUL! There is no way to read this book and not be inspired to live the best life you can live. A life without regret, a life where you make a difference. This book motivates and inspires but it also touched a place deep in my heart as I read the stories the author shared. The writing style is so easy to comprehend, and I truly felt like I was listening to Mr. Maxwell speak as I read the book. There were so many favorite passages that i underlined, but the one line that jumped out at me was this " If you give with no expectation of return, you can make a difference and live a life that matters," and honestly isn't that what we all want. Truly a timely book for today's society one that everyone should read. I have found myself rereading certain passages because I truly want to live a life that matters and this book holds the keys to help unlock the potential that lives inside all of us!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.

[Bob Wallner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intentional Living is another great book from John Maxwell and might be his most reflective title to date. He admits in the beginning this was the most difficult to write and with so many personal antidotes, I understand why.

Intentional Living doesn't take on as much of the "leadership topic" as some of his other books do, but rather approaches leadership through personal growth and inflection. He provides solid examples in his life of how he changed from simply walking through, to being deliberate and making choices that will impact people way beyond his immediate spear of influence. His sincerity when he talks about the lives he has impacted and lives that have impacted him is sincere and heart-felt.

I loved this audiobook, but I am going to be honest...I will have to read this one. I did not understand when I first started listening to this book that it is an action book. It is not a common book about leadership where you can listen to a chapter and stop and reflect on, jot some notes and then continue listening. Intentional Living is geared towards deep reflection and action and making life changes. If you are a fan of John Maxwell, plan on purchasing a hard copy as this is definitely a book that will require notes in the margin and Post-it notes throughout.

I do love the message and the content and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to make improvements in their own lives and the lives of others. Be warned...if you are easily put off by "faith talk" this book does contain a lot, but as someone who is recently found his way back into his faith I did find discussion on faith relevant.

[Edward Bartone · Rating 1 out of 5]

O......... M......... G........

While Im sure that Johns first 400, best seller, 300 page books that enlighten you by informing that you should be "kind to others" over and over and over again, may benefit some, I really need to suggest that he comes up with a new message. Sentence 1 "I really have no ego" sentence 2-4 million "let me tell you about myself". I don't know, maybe just not for me. He spouts common sense in a self centered way in endless repetition. Maybe he should patent that and call it "Fame in book writing, by following my patented CCSCER plan". Hey , that sounds like material for at least three more self help books! He owes me man! :)

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first John Maxwell book I read, and I probably should have read some of his others first. This book reads like a catalog of his accomplishments, heavy on the ego and the "I," and offers myriad common sense platitudes. There was no big "a-ha," earth-shattering idea in any of the pages.

[Chad Manske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living intentionally means living a life of significance according to Maxwell. It means never living with regret and methodically building your leadership skills in order to bring value to the lives of others. A Very good read!

[Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

تقريباً كل شي نريده أنا وأنت هو على الجانب الآخر من الخوف . كيف تتعامل مع هذا الأمر؟ كيف تتخطى مخاوفك ؟

بالنسبة لي فهي مسألة إيمان [ أحاول ترك كل شيئ بين يدي الله ، وعادة أرى أن لله يداً في كل شيئ ] . وأؤمن أن الله لم يهبني الحلم ليوترني، يهبني الحلم لألبيه .

هل تريد معرفة شيئ مذهل؟
الخوف هو أكثر الأسباب المنتشرة لتوقف الناس. والإيمان هو ما يجعل الناس يبدأون . الخوف هو المفتاح الذي يغلق الباب المؤدي إلى الموارد . والإيمان هو الذي يفتح ذلك الباب .
عندما يكون حلمك ذو المغزى صحيحاً ، يجب أن يزيد إيمانك . يجب أن تؤمن بأن حلمك يمكن تحقيقه .

عامل الإيمان يشجعني على البدء بالمشي وعلى تصديق أن الموارد ستأتي إليّ أثناء مشيي . أعرف أنها لن تأتي إذا بقيت ساكناً . إذا توقفت تتوقف الموارد . الموارد تأتي إلينا عندما نكون في مهامنا ، عندما نحقق دعواتنا .

الدرس الذي أدرسه في أغلب الأحيان عن الإيمان هو : [ غذ إيمانك وجوّع خوفك ] لتفعل ذلك يجب عليك أن تعطي إيمانك طاقة أكبر من خوفك . لا تستطيع تقليل الخوف بالتفكير به ، يمكنك تقليله بالمبادرة بالفعل بعيداً عنه . كيف ؟ بالتقدم نحو الإيمان .

الإيمان لا يجعل الأشياء سهلة ، لكنه يجعلها ممكنة ، لأنه يضع كل شيئ بما في ذلك الخوف ، في منظوره الصحيح . لذلك إذا أردت أن تتعلم ، وتنمو ، وتحقق أحلامك ذات المغزى ، وتحدث فرقاً ، فتحلَّ بالإيمان .

[Scott]

Awesome

Must read for everyone. It should be mandatory for schools and teaching to kids. But it is also important for adults to read.

[Máté · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book would have benefitted if it was half of the page length that it is. There are good and important messages here, but also a lot of filler and repetition.

[Tim Chavel · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Maxwell always writes so wonderful, thought provoking books. This one on Intentional Living is excellent. I hope you will be challenged by the quotes below.

To be significant, all you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day. ~ John C Maxwell

When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters. ~ John C Maxwell

If your story isn't as meaningful or significant or compelling as you want it to be, you can change it. ~ John C Maxwell

To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself. ~Soren Kierkegaard

Be the change you want to see in the world. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. . . . Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. ~ Steve Jobs

If you want to live a life that matters, don't strike when you get good; start now so you can become good. ~ John C Maxwell

What is the number one catalyst for change? It's action. ~ John C Maxwell

In life, it is not what we get that makes us valuable. Is what we become in the process that brings value to our lives. Action is what converts human dreams into significance. It brings personal value that we can gain from no other source. ~ John C Maxwell

A butterfly cannot go back to being a caterpillar. When you start living the significant story, you get a taste for making a difference and you won't go back. ~ John C Maxwell

When I die, I cannot take with me what I have, but I can live in others by what I gave. ~ John C Maxwell

Having a heart to help people and add value to them make sure a better person. But if you don't act on it in an intentional way it won't make a difference. ~ John C Maxwell

If you're going to grow, you have to be intentional. ~ Curt Kampmeier

You need to put details to your dreams and attach deadlines to them. You need to examine yourself and where you are. You need to look at your strengths and weaknesses. You need to identify your goals every week. ~ John C Maxwell

An unintentional life accepts everything and does nothing. An intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional leaving always has an idea.
Unintentional living always has an excuse. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentionally living fixes the situation.
Unintentionally living fixes the blame. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional living makes it happen.
Unintentional living wonders what happened. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional living says, “Here's something I can do.”
Unintentional living says, “Why doesn't someone else do something?” ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional living turns the doubt-filled question “Can I?” Into the invigorating, possibility-inducing “How can I?” ~ John C Maxwell

When you know what you want and can't find what you need, you must create what you need, so you can get what you want! ~ John C Maxwell

Most people don't aim too high and miss. They aim too low in hit. ~Bob Moawad

If you will first help others get what they want, they will help you get what you want. ~ Zig Ziglar

Make every day your masterpiece. ~ John Wooden

Nobody finishes well by accident. ~ John C Maxwell

Once you find your why, will be able to find your way. Why is your purpose. Way is your path. ~ John C Maxwell

If the why comes before the way, your ability to make a difference will come more quickly and immediately be more effective. ~ John C Maxwell

Humans were made to have a meaning. Without purpose, life is meaningless. A meaningless life is a life without hope or significance. ~ Rick Warren

The sooner you know your why, the sooner you can shift your focus from yourself to others. ~ John C Maxwell

Purpose is the rudder of your boat. It gives you direction and keeps you going in the right direction when the wind is blowing and the waves are crashing against you. It provides calm and confidence in the midst of the storm. ~ John C Maxwell

Purpose is like a snowball rolling downhill-it builds over time. ~ John C Maxwell

Having a life that matters comes from the ability to add value to others. ~ John C Maxwell

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, power. These rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so our lives matter, so that the world will be at least a little different for our having passed through it. ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

People who matter most are aware that everyone else does, too. ~ Malcolm Forbes

Self-centeredness is the root of virtually every problem-both personally and globally. And whether we want to admit it or not, it's a problem all of us have. ~ John C Maxwell

Self-centeredness and fulfillment cannot peacefully coexist. They're incompatible. ~ John C Maxwell

People need to have found themselves, achieve something, and made themselves valuable before they have something to give to others. ~ John C Maxwell

Significance is always about others, serving them intentionally. ~ John C Maxwell

When you change your thinking from “What am I going to receive?” to “What am I going to give?” your entire life begins to turn around. ~ John C Maxwell

There isn't anyone you couldn't learn to love once you've heard their story. ~ Fred Rogers

As you start your day, are you wondering what you will reap, or are you wondering what you will sow? ~ John C Maxwell

John Wooden described an unselfish player as one who “showed an eagerness to lose himself to the group for the goal of the team.”

If you want to be significant and live a life that matters, you must add value to others. ~ John C Maxwell

You know you truly value yourself when each day you silently affirm that you are the type of person with whom you would like to spend the rest of your life. ~ John C Maxwell

If you want to connect with people you must make the conscious decision to embrace the following seven qualities and practices:
Availability-I will choose to spend time with others.
Listening-I will listen my way to common ground.
Questions-I will be interested enough in others to ask questions.
Thoughtfulness-I will think of others and how to connect with them.
Openness-I will let people into my life.
Likability-I will care about people.
Humility-I will think of myself less so I can think of others more. ~ John C Maxwell

If you have the heart to make a difference, there is always an answer, but if you have a heart of indifference, there is never an answer. ~ John C Maxwell

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step in your life. ~ John C Maxwell

Fear is the most prevalent reason why people stop. Faith is what makes people start. ~ John C Maxwell

Faith does not make things easy, but it makes things possible because it puts everything, including fear, into the right perspective. ~ John C Maxwell

My dream allows me to continue and discourage, for where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present. ~ John C Maxwell

Dreams often come one size too big so that we can grow into them. ~ John C Maxwell

Life isn't made by what you can accomplish. It's made by what you can accomplish with others. ~ John C Maxwell

Most people miss opportunities in life, not because the opportunity wasn't there, but because they didn't have a clue what it looked like when it arrived. ~ John C Maxwell

I cannot do what you can do. You cannot do what I can do. Together we can do great things. ~ Mother Teresa

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~African Proverb

A strong partnership divides the effort and multiplies the effect. ~ John C Maxwell

You can't take action if you're spending too much of your time trying to get on the front lines. You need to be on the front lines. ~ John C Maxwell

Anticipation is a wonderful proactive and intentional word for seeking out significance. ~ John C Maxwell

When you live with intentionality, you know and understand that every day is your time to make a difference . ~ John C Maxwell
You don't really know if you're going to be afraid of death until you've been close enough to touch it, taste it, and smell it. ~ John C Maxwell

The difference between the assuming and numbering your days is huge. ~ John C Maxwell

Most hockey players follow the puck on the ice. I never skate to where the puck is. I skate to where it's going. ~ Wayne Gretzky

You anticipate that you can and will make a difference, you prepared differently. ~ John C Maxwell

There is not one door of opportunity. There's not one door to significance. There is a series of doors. ~ John C Maxwell

The compounding potential and return of working with others makes my sense of anticipation soar. ~ John C Maxwell

A transformational leader intentionally engages people to think and act in such a way that it makes a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of others. ~ John C Maxwell

Where you are in the process doesn't matter. As long as you're engaged in it and anticipate positive results, you're on your way. ~ John C Maxwell

There are those that look at things as they are and asked, “Why?” I dream of things that never were and asked, “Why not?” ~John F Kennedy

Every generation gets an opportunity to make a difference, but the people of that generation have to seize that opportunity. ~ John C Maxwell

Opportunities do not multiply because they are seen. . . . They multiply because they are seized. ~ John C Maxwell

The people who most often make the biggest difference are the people who are first to step up and help at a time when it makes a difference. ~ John C Maxwell

People most often regret the chances they failed to take, not the chances they took that failed. ~ John C Maxwell

The classroom is the molder of the opinion of the lives of people. I came back because if I can change a 19 year old's life, that is much more significant than what I was doing because I get them on the front end. ~ Condoleezza Rice

Unless Someone Like You cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better period it's not. ~Doctor Seuss
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. ~Doctor Seuss

You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting! So get on your way! ~Doctor Seuss

What we teach our children to love and appreciate is far more important than what we teach them to know. ~ John C Maxwell

Maddie, John Maxwell’s granddaughter, list the following ideas she has learned from her dad or granddad:
Attitude is a choice.
Maturity is seeing things from another person's point of view and being flexible.
Always plan ahead. You're either prepared or repaired.
You are what you do every day.
Failure is inevitable, but learning is optional.

Once you taste significance, success will never satisfy you again. ~ John C Maxwell

Significance is not a destination thing-it's a daily thing. ~ John C Maxwell

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it had some very valuable information inside. The one lesson that I truly walked away with from this book was to add value. Add value to your relationships, whether it is in a family, friend, business---whatever the relationship. Add value to people and in return your life will be enriched.

[Hanna Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heart of the message is good, but it's just so gosh darn repetitive. This could've just been an essay, not a whole book. I probably would've liked it better if I hadn't read anything else from him already and hadn't heard him speak a lot of times.

[Alicia Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book did talk about good ways to live intentionally but it mainly seemed like this book was more about John Maxwell's accomplishments and that this was a "John Maxwell centered" book.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Inspires reflection and action.

[Joe Oaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read numerous books and while he gives such great advice, the number of "I's" he has in this book is too much. The number of times he mentions his companies or name drops with all of the people he has rubbed shoulders with and the number of plugs for his other books just got to be annoying for me. I will likely not read another book by him, as much as I love his heart, his last few books seem to be so much about all he has accomplished, (and he has). As a man of God, he really needs a dose of humility.

[Farshad Asl · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Intentional Living” is a momentous masterpiece that is meant to fuel your life with meaning, mindfulness and mastery. Entrepreneurs are not the only ones who can become enlightened, if you can breathe, then you can benefit from this book. Limitations of age, gender, or education do not apply to this book. John Maxwell has created the tool that revolutionizes self-understanding and self-awareness. It redefines what is “significant” in your life and ignites the desire for self-transformation. It is your story that matters, not your history. This book propels a passion and purpose driven life.

“Be the hero of your own story. You are born to turn your mess into a message, and your test into a testimony.”

– Farshad Asl
Leadership Coach, Regional Director, Bankers Life

[Anino · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Just like Warren Buffet is the "Oracle" of Business & Investing, Dr. Maxwell is definitely the "Oracle" of Leadership development for both the secular and church world. Never before have I had an opportunity to read about his highs and his lows, described in such a candid manner.. Doing so, inspires one to do better and dig a little deeper into their area of giftedness.

Although it had a minute amount of lag, in my opinion, this was truly a worthwhile read.

Giving this one: 5 humongous stars...

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked chapters 1-5. I was underlining great passages to come back & re-read for continued motivation. Chapter 6 on was a bit of a snooze fest. I lost interest. It seemed that even though he didn’t want to push religion, it was practically in every paragraph. I get that his life story is based in religion but he became too preachy with how awesome he was and all that came his way. Anyway. The beginning of the book was more helpful & full of guidance. The latter half was more an autobiography and not what I was hoping for when I bought this book as a motivator & guide.

[Matt]

WOW. Simply WOW. This is JCM's best work yet. Part biography, part leadership, all inspirational. Simply put, how can we add value to someone TODAY, right now? It all starts with living life intentionally. Anything more would spoil this book for you, but if you don't have a copy - go get one right now. If you do have one - make it a priority to read right now...put it to the very top of your list. You will NOT regret making that intentional choice!

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book and the intended message. After a couple chapters of personal stories used as examples, it just began to feel like a book of boasting and for me the message started to get lost and it only made the author seem more unrelatable. I think the multiple shameless plugs to previous works contained in each chapter may have contributed to that lack of authenticity for me as well.

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The entirety of this book can be summed up as “be intentional and conscientious when making all of your decisions.” That’s it.

Just because John can write a book doesn’t mean he should. It took us 11 months to get through this book- not because we took our time, but because we dreaded listening to John ramble about some life story he already told us in a different book. This book is just him stroking his ego and playing holier than thou with the reader. Do not recommend.

[Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Maxwell book yet! Always easy to read, but so much to take away! Really enjoyed his thoughts on moving from success to significance, as well as finding our “why” and focusing on primarily helping others.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Maxwell has had a profound impact on my leadership journey over the past eighteen years, primarily through his books. I was also blessed to help bring him to our community about twelve years ago for a wonderful speaking engagement. This book is about how to live a life of significance, moving from having good intentions to living a life of intentionality.
Maxwell writes that if we live each day with intentionality, we will live a life that matters and one that has significance. He encourages us to take action, and to move from an attitude of trying to one of doing. He wants us to tell our best story with our lives and to invite others to participate in our stories.
I’ve read all of Maxwell’s major books over the past eighteen years. This one is different in a few ways. Here, he tells more of his own life story, including telling us about those who have most helped him along his journey, starting with his parents. In this book, he also shares more of his faith than he does in most of his other books. He does this in a very respectful, non-proselyting manner. But he is absolutely clear that his faith is a huge part of his life and leadership.
Below are a few of the many takeaways that I had from the book:
 Make every day count.
 Align your thinking with your actions.
 Start small and believe big.
 Be a river, not a reservoir.
 Everyone has one thing that they are very good at (our strengths). Focus on your “one thing”.
 Find your “Why” (or your purpose). What is it that you cry, sing or dream about?
 Maxwell’s primary calling is to add value to others.
 Ask how you can help others on their road to significance.
 We need to move from success to significance.
 Will we serve ourselves or others?
 Jesus is Maxwell’s model for putting others first.
 Add value to others using your best gifts, skills and resources, intentionally and strategically.
 Find your sweet spot (your calling and strengths). What is it that you were made to do?
 Stay in your strengths zone as you get out of your comfort zone.
 Connect and partner with like-minded and like- valued people.
 We need to finish well in our lives and vocations.
 Use a sense of urgency to seize opportunities to take action (be intentional).
 Each day, think “What opportunities do you have to make a difference for others?”
Throughout the book, Maxwell shares stories from his life and the lives of others to illustrate his points. He demonstrates humility by sharing his own failures in life and what he has learned from them, hoping that we learn as well.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Maxwell has had a profound impact on my leadership journey over the past eighteen years, primarily through his books. I was also blessed to help bring him to our community about twelve years ago for a wonderful speaking engagement. This book is about how to live a life of significance, moving from having good intentions to living a life of intentionality.
Maxwell writes that if we live each day with intentionality, we will live a life that matters and one that has significance. He encourages us to take action, and to move from an attitude of trying to one of doing. He wants us to tell our best story with our lives and to invite others to participate in our stories.
I’ve read all of Maxwell’s major books over the past eighteen years. This one is different in a few ways. Here, he tells more of his own life story, including telling us about those who have most helped him along his journey, starting with his parents. In this book, he also shares more of his faith than he does in most of his other books. He does this in a very respectful, non-proselyting manner. But he is absolutely clear that his faith is a huge part of his life and leadership.
Below are a few of the many takeaways that I had from the book:
 Make every day count.
 Align your thinking with your actions.
 Start small and believe big.
 Be a river, not a reservoir.
 Everyone has one thing that they are very good at (our strengths). Focus on your “one thing”.
 Find your “Why” (or your purpose). What is it that you cry, sing or dream about?
 Maxwell’s primary calling is to add value to others.
 Ask how you can help others on their road to significance.
 We need to move from success to significance.
 Will we serve ourselves or others?
 Jesus is Maxwell’s model for putting others first.
 Add value to others using your best gifts, skills and resources, intentionally and strategically.
 Find your sweet spot (your calling and strengths). What is it that you were made to do?
 Stay in your strengths zone as you get out of your comfort zone.
 Connect and partner with like-minded and like- valued people.
 We need to finish well in our lives and vocations.
 Use a sense of urgency to seize opportunities to take action (be intentional).
 Each day, think “What opportunities do you have to make a difference for others?”
Throughout the book, Maxwell shares stories from his life and the lives of others to illustrate his points. He demonstrates humility by sharing his own failures in life and what he has learned from them, hoping that we learn as well.

[John McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Not rocket science but so many good learnings nuggets to remember. Found these 12 lessons that are a pretty good summary …

1. If you want to live a life that matters, don't start when you get good; start now so you become good.

2. Every time we choose action over ease we develop an increasing level of self-worth, self-respect, and self-confidence.

3. We should never let what we cannot do keep us from doing what we can do. A passive life does not become a meaningful life.

4. One of the great ironies of life is that; if give up your life, you gain it. If you help others, you benefit. If you lose yourself, you find yourself.

5. The Secret of Your success is determined by your daily agenda!

6. To be significant all you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are , with whatever You have, day by day.

7. The only way to have a good life is to have good relationships.

8. The problems look too big for us to tackle. We say to ourselves, “What can I do? I’m just one person.” One person is a start. One person can act and make a change by helping another.

9. Action is what converts human dreams into significance.

10. When you live each day with intentionality, there’s almost no limit to what you can do. You can transform yourself, your family, your community, and your nation.

11. One person can inspire a second person to be intentional, and another. Those people can work together. They can become a movement. They can make an impact.

12. When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters.

[Hansel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among other John Maxwell's books that I have read. I like this better.

It has more narrative. Therefore easier to grasp that the usual point based writing style.

Still it is hard to summarized since the writer was being generous: putting up so much information. Useful.

It is worth reading over just to let it marinated under our subconscious.

In the book, John being John tells a lot about his own experiences and vulnerability. Just like when he told about his competitiveness that forbid him from sharing his knowledge to others. And of course how he become a changed man after that.

He also pointed out that it is necessary for a man to found himself first (go after own success) before committing most of self to others.

I know it might sounds 'bad' when you justified just based on that one sentence. But believe me, when you read the whole book and understand the context, you know that he is trying to be real and at the same time balance. It is rare to found someone who could taught something good while being real. But we really need someone like this.

On the other part of the book, taught a lot of lessons including his faith. But what I love from him is, he doesn't force it to others. He acknowledged that it might not be relevant to everyone. But he feel the need to share it since it is also part of his experiences that make up his successes.

After finishing this book, I am started to love his writings more.

I recommended this book.

[TJ Totland · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I was very excited about the book and I was thinking it was exceeding my expectations in every way, but the more I read, the less impressed I was in the bio it was presenting to me. I enjoyed it but was terribly mislead by the title, choosing a life that matters. There was little applied to helping people choose a life that matters to them, only how the author choose a life that mattered to him. I am not the author, and his life purpose is not a good fit for most people.

The other area that the book spent way too many pages on was how to be a leader in this intentional life you have no idea how to find. One of the hardest questions someone can ask is "What is my purpose?"; which is very different then what are my values. They are related of course but different. I understand John is a leader teacher so its only natural for him to return to this topic, but there were too many pages dedicated to this topic.

But overall, I did enjoy the book and do recommend it to anyone who can relate to the author's purpose. There is plenty of great advice, inspiration, and easy to follow steps to not only get started but how to avoid failure in a rather difficult task.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

John C. Maxwell is truly an inspirational leader. His book, Intentional Living shares an important message: make a difference. Mr. Maxwell shares the great advice on how we can find our why in our journey to making a difference, putting others first, connecting with like-minded people, and seizing opportunities. He writes words of motivation through his personal account of his own beginning on his own journey. Mr. Maxwell writes honestly and depicts his shortcomings as well.

I found Intentional Living to be inspirational and motivational. It is a great read for anyone looking for their way in making a difference. I agree with Mr. Maxwell, we all can make a significant, positive difference in this world.

This review has been #SponsoredByFaithWords.

Happy Reading!




Note: I have received a copy of this book from Hachette Books in exchange for an honest review. #SponsoredByFaithWords