Drafting a Personal Mission Statement

Most businesses go through the effort to draft a Mission Statement and every organization should have a mission, purpose or reason for being. What about us as individuals? Do we take the time to decide what our reason for being is? 

By definition a mission statement is a brief paragraph that is easy to recite and that resonnates with the people working in and for an organization. It briefly describes the company's purpose in a way that encourages commitment, innovation and forward momentum. It guides the actions of the organization and implies an ethical framework in which company strategies are formulated. Generally a mission statement is known only to company employees, although many businesses publish their mission statement on the company website.

While ultimately seeking the company's justification for existing, a mission statement describes the purpose of an organization how the organization goes about fulfilling that purpose and what principles or beliefs guide that work. Good companies routinely review their mission statement to insure it is still relevant and revise it if it isn't.

As individuals we, too, should have a personal mission statement. We should actually state a purpose or reason for being. Writing something for ourselves that inspires us daily to move towards our goals can feel daunting, but there are steps which can make it easier to accomplish. Robert H. Schuller asks, "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" With that mindset, ask yourself what it is you really love to do, are naturally good at and derive passion from. What natural talents or gifts do you have and when do you find yourself at your best or "in the zone". This is a start.

Vikor Frankl tells us, "We detect rather than invent our missions in life." If you feel you need more assistance in detecting your mission a new website, Summit Journey Coaching, provides free tools  to help you create a mission statement and write your vision and goals. All of your information is private and you can return as often as you wish to update your progress.

I recently came across a mission statement for a company named Holstee that really inspired me. It can be dissected into so many valuable tidbits. The last line really sums it up for me: "Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion."

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