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We’ve all heard the following words before and if we’re honest, probably even said them ourselves:

“Don’t worry, I’ll do my exercises at home.”“I’ve got an incredible idea for a new venture.”“I really need to spend more time on the business, not just in it.”

They’re statements of optimism and enthusiasm, small bursts of conviction that feel productive. But more often than not, they don’t lead to the outcomes we expect.

We can all relate to the patients who fall behind on their rehab, leaders who struggle to make impact, or aspiring entrepreneurs with great ideas that stay on the shelf collecting dust.

Why does this occur? Because of the intention–action gap. The space and disconnect between what people intend to do and what actually gets done.

Good intentions are wonderful, but they don’t create results. And while this may sound painfully obvious, it’s one of the most overlooked truths in human performance and business alike. Simplicity is deceptive, especially when it challenges our human behaviour.

In musculoskeletal rehab, leadership, and entrepreneurship, we consistently see people substitute the feeling of intention for the discipline of execution. ‘Busyness’ becomes the narrative, output masquerades as outcome, and genuine progress quietly slips out of reach.

So, what’s the antidote to consider? Over the past year, I’ve continued to focus on a deceptively simple, three-part framework that has clarified how to bridge the gap between good intentions and real results:

1. Clarity of outcome

Be explicit about where you want to end up. What specifically do you want to achieve and, just as importantly, how will you know when you’ve reached it?