BENEFITS OF A MISSION STATEMENT
1. Gives meaning and significance to our actions and our life
At the end of our lives we will be able to say, “I did what I was created to do. I contributed to this world in a significant manner.”
2. Clarity for Your Role in Life Circumstances
Provides a singular focus to all of our different roles (parent, employee, friend, spouse, etc.)
Eliminates confusion and emotional conflicts
3. A Measuring Stick for Life Decisions
The best tool to measure any large life choices
Ask “Does it support your mission?”
4. A Magnet for Staying on Track in Life
Keeps our mission in the front of our minds
Helps to eliminate unproductive activities
Puts first things first.
5. Ability To Communicate Clearly What You Bring To Personal and Professional Opportunities
Have a single sentence that states what you are here to do (taken from your mission statement)
Have it memorized
This allows you clearly tell others what you can do for them
6. Motivation to Do Your Best
Keeps one centered on their purpose
Keeps circumstances from distracting us
7. Maximize your talents
Calls us to use all of our skills and talents
Requires that we use them for the benefit of others
Talents grow with us
8. Strength to Stand Tall in the Fluctuating Winds of Change
It provides a rock of stability
Provides a forward direction that brings peace and integrity to changing times
9. Creates Action Rather than Reaction
Keeps us from letting others take the steering wheel of our lives
Helps us respond with intention
Helps us choose the best course of action
10. Attracts People and Opportunities That Support Your Life
The more you live your mission, the more those around you will respect and support your actions
The Personal Mission Statement
Reflects your Key:
Values
Principles
Sense of purpose and meaning for your life.
Your Personal Mission Statement in a sense becomes your “personal constitution” that gives you meaning and direction to life.
Steps for Writing Personal Mission Statement
1. Reflect on the key values and principles you want to use as a guide for your life. Values may vary among us, but correct principles are shared by all people of good will.
2. Ponder questions like: What do you want your life to be about in order to give it purpose and meaning? Think about how much better this world would be if each person were dedicated to lifting the lives of everyone we touch.
3. “Brainstorm” with yourself, parents, relatives, teachers, religious leaders, counselors and friends about your strengths, talents, deep-felt values and principles which are most important to you.
Read biographies of people you admire.
Take personality/aptitude/vocational tests.
4. View your personal Mission Statement as your “Personal Constitution” Like the Constitution of a country, your Personal Mission Statement can be amended over time if so inspired. It will always reflect your fundamental values, purposes and principles which will guide you through the thousands of decisions you will make in your lifetime.
5. Find a quiet place, inside or outside where you can spend some quality uninterrupted time pondering and reflecting in order to write your Personal Mission Statement. It need not be too long - no more than a page or a few paragraphs. It should inspire you and cause you to stretch but not break.
6. Ask, “Does this statement inspire me?” While it does not totally reflect where you are today, it helps you to stretch to become better and is a guide as you make it difficult decision. Write in the “present tense” as if you are doing it. You will enjoy the “power of purpose” as a result of getting a vision of what you want your life to be.
An Example of a Mission Statement
The purpose of my life is bringing happiness and growth to our family and all within my influence, while living a rich and abundant life of integrity, which is my definition of success. Living correct principles is the center of my life, from which I seek solutions to life’s many demands.
I value a career in higher education, being a good father and husband, raising a strong family, and seeking the truth. I will serve diligently in my church-keeping focused on the needs of people. Community service when appropriate is also valued. Earning sufficient income to provide a healthy lifestyle for my family and a secure retirement are important as I strive to be wise in managing my money.
With love of others and self as my core motivating principle, I want to balance my life consistently with the following 30 human needs: Physical, intellectual, emotional, sexual/intimacy, social, spiritual/philosophical, achievemental, cultural/aesthetic, leisure, creative, understanding/communication, agency/self determination, private space, time management, humor, perspective, perseverance, enthusiasm/motivation