The reason why you should write a personal mission statements is so that you have a written description of what you want to accomplish and who you want to be. It is a commitment to achieve both short term life long goals. If you are searching for your purpose in life, this is a way to put on paper what you need to achieve. Using your personal mission statement as a blue print to help you make all your life’s decisions will keep you on track to success.
Writing a mission statement may feel like such an overwhelming task. Self improvement and the motivation to do so is a big step in people’s lives. But any book on leadership, self improvement and on motivation recommend writing your own personal mission statement.
Starting from scratch may be the biggest reason for procrastination. Some may wait for a deep down, personally driven, purpose to write a mission statement – with the thoughts that it may come easier when this happens. In essence, they are waiting for ‘the perfect time’. But waiting for the perfect time to write one will never come. It is just a process that just needs to be done.
So start now.
Your mission statement is meant to be written and then rewritten over again. It is not a simple one-time task, but a simple life long task.
The following are key questions that should be answered in order to write a personal mission statement. These questions can help you start this difficult task. You’ll soon realize that it is not hard, but rather quite easy – you just have to have a purpose: to improve yourself.
As you answer the questions, make it as emotional as possible. Edit later. It is just a draft. You will be tied to this mission statement personally so it has to be tied back to you and your personality. When you revisit it you want it to feel like you are so closely attached to it as if you’re reading something about someone you know very well – and that’s you! Making it flat and impersonal defeats the purpose. Flat and impersonal could make it a statement for just about anybody. This is a personal vision or mission: not your spouse’s or best friend’s vision or mission, this is all yours! Dig deep and really make it personal as the title suggests.
Your Personal Vision/Mission Statement”
-My purpose: Why do I exist? If you believe in a higher power: What is (your higher power’s) plan for me?
One of the many keys to success in achieving self improvement is to get in tune with your higher power. It could be God, Buddha, or even motivated by a person close to you: your kids, grandmother, or possibly a belief in something like “The Secret” or tarot. Whatever it may be, consult your higher power and discover what your higher power’s plan is for you.
-My vision: What is the end or result I can foresee?
Stephen Covey speaks about thinking with the “end in mind”. Is it to be a millionaire, or is it to be the best spouse, parent, friend or VP of a corporation? It could be to be financially free, or even to see yourself owning your first house or getting a college education. What is your end result?
-My goals: What do I plan to do? What do I want to do? How can I make it unique?
There are many tools to assist you in accomplishing your goals. You may not know what they are now, but as you answer these questions you may discover several ways to accomplish what you want to achieve.
-My objectives: Why am I doing this? What are my reasons and motivations?
Is it to get out of debt? To improve your relationships? To become a better person? Discover your ‘why’.
-My plan: How will I do it? With whom? When? Where?
You can’t do it alone. So discover who will support you in what you want to accomplish. Always ask for help. This is not an ‘ego’ thing but a gut check. Ask for help and leave your ego at the door!
-My strategy: How can I refine it? How long will it take? What is my timetable? What resources will I need?
Set your time frame. Is this a short term one-year goal? Or a five year or even a life long goal?
“Think with the end in mind” as Stephen Covey states in Habit #2 in his book: “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”. This will help you as you answer the above questions.
Following these questions and answering them truthfully will provide a first draft to a vision/mission statement. The key words are these: ‘first and draft’. This should lead to a ‘second, third, fourth…tenth draft’. Revisit it weekly at first, then monthly, and quarterly. Keep it accessible to you and your family, but most importantly: live by it!
Resources:
“The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey
“In Charge: Finding the Leader within You” by Myles Monroe
