That seems to be a useful shorthand. However, are there not different levels (and/or kinds) of intentionality and volition, as well as different kinds of thought?
Not necessarily. Passive thinking often leads to active thinking on a given subject and our feelings and our desires affect the intensity of our thoughts on the subject. The power behind those thought are made real by the way we express them in the acts, objects or events that we produce.
The thoughts that are expressed in physical actions by great men and evil men result in the respective great and evil events of our times.