In the business world, a mission statement briefly stating an
organization’s purpose is used to provide a sense of direction for
that organization. The same holds true for a personal mission
statement, which is a statement briefly stating an individual’s
purpose. Writing a personal mission statement is an excellent
exercise for developing a map or plan of action for directing your
life and keeping you focused on what is most important to
you.
Before you begin writing your personal mission statement, take
a minute to contemplate these questions:
- Who do I aspire to be?
- What do I aspire to do with my life?
Remember, your personal mission is not just a list of
aspirations but an action plan to help you bring those aspirations
into fruition. Your personal mission statement describes how
you desire to live your life and what your purpose is in life.
The following steps will assist you in developing your personal
mission statement:
- Identify your core values and beliefs (What is most important
to me?).
- Identify important roles you play (Who do my life decisions
impact?).
- List life goals and career goals (What do I plan to
accomplish?).
- Create an action statement describing how you plan to
accomplish your goals (I will…).
- Combine information to create a fluid, consistent definition of
your purpose in life and a road map to get you there.
- Make multiple copies of your personal mission statement to
carry in your wallet, post on the wall, or share with someone who
can support you and motivate you to fulfill your purpose.
- Revisit and rewrite regularly.
- Mark your calendar with timelines or milestones.
Tips:
- Keep it short, concise and focused (one to two
paragraphs).
- Take your time. This will require deep introspection and
careful analysis of your life.
- Focus on how you relate to the world.
- It should be an aspiration and not necessarily realistic at
this time.
