The Third Act of Intention: Living the Truth You Choose

By Natalia Jansen, MFA

What if everything you could ever become, build, give, and live begins with one quiet decision: to fall in love with your intention? In this third act of our exploration into Mastering Intention, I want to share something deeply personal. Last week, I had a coaching session with a woman who reminded me of an earlier version of myself. She is a single mom, working hard to build a new life and career, juggling everything she can to do right by her sons, while feeling the weight of overwhelm. She shared her hopes, her doubts, and the tension between her big vision and the daily reality of creating it. As I listened, I was transported back to the beginning of my own journey, when I first dared to imagine that I could be a published author, a sought-after speaker, and a transformational coach. I had no roadmap, just a dream. I journaled about it, I visualized it, I held the vision close on the days when everything felt impossible. And now, to sit in the reality of that dream, to witness others on the same path, and to have the honor and privilege to guide, support, and mentor them, is humbling and joyful beyond words.

What is True Intention?

True intention is more than wanting. It’s more than goal setting. It’s aligning your thinking, your words, energy, and belief with what you desire, and letting that desire stretch you into the next version of yourself.

We often say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” But in the world of Starring In Your Life, we flip that. We see it, feel it, and act from it, until it becomes real. You must feel it and believe it to see it take form.

Imagination: Your Invisible Engine

Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. But I would add a third element: imagination. Imagination is what bridges the gap between the invisible and the visible. It’s the unseen force that fuels bold steps. It’s your true superpower if you use it generatively and wisely.

When you fall in love with an intention—whether it’s building a dream home, writing a book, or changing a relationship—you create momentum.

One woman in my program dreamed of opening a healing space. But the cost, the logistics, the “how,” all of it felt impossible. Instead of giving in to the fear, she focused on the “what.” She visualized the light pouring into her future studio. She felt the joy of clients walking out lighter, freer. Step by step, the path unfolded. She found a perfect rental. A partner showed up. The pieces aligned. Why? Because she stayed in vibration matching her vision. She didn’t get in the way with “trying” to figure it out. She took the step she could, and the next step naturally became clear. The vision became a reality, piece by piece, like a puzzle.

Focus on the ‘What’, Not the ‘How’

Here’s the truth: the “how” is never your business. The “what” is. The clearer you are about what you want, the more powerfully life can organize around it.

As Mary Morrissey teaches: “Your life isn’t shaped by circumstances. It’s shaped by your thinking.”

Your thoughts, infused with emotion and belief, act like a tuning fork to the universe. The clearer and more emotionally charged your intention, the stronger the vibrational signal you send out. Opportunities start to appear, often “out of the blue”—but in truth, they were drawn to the signal you’ve been broadcasting all along.

When Resistance Rises

But here’s what stops most people: the limiting belief, the internal glass ceiling, the “not me” voice. This is what Gay Hendricks calls the Upper Limit Problem. It’s the moment your dream starts to feel real, and resistance kicks in. That’s not failure. That’s transformation knocking.

In these moments, your nervous system may contract. You may feel fear or doubt. That’s your cue. Instead of shrinking, notice it. Breathe into it. And choose again.

Shift the thought from “Can I really do this?” to “What’s one step I can take today from my intention?” Then take it.

Your Action Step

Remember, baby steps up Mount Everest still reach the summit. And those small, consistent actions create exponential power over time.

You don’t need the whole staircase. Just the next step.

This week, choose one intention—something your heart wants. Don’t worry if it feels too big. Write it down. Fall in love with it. Rehearse it in your mind and your mirror. Replace every doubt with truth. And trust that as you walk toward it, it’s already walking toward you.

You are not just hoping anymore. You are aligning.
You are not surviving. You are STARRING.
And the spotlight? It’s already on you.