What Is Your Mission Statement?

When determining your Mission Statement make sure that it translates your “Vision” into Words.  

Your Mission Statement should explain why you are here and what you propose to do with your life.  It should be brief and kept simple and expressed in the present tense.  Describe your Vision as if you’ve already achieved it.

A Personal Mission Statement will help you to organize your entire life — your time, your thoughts, your priorities. Actually, a personal mission statement, conscientiously developed, will change the way you view everything in your life.

Your personal mission statement will force you to constantly re-evaluate who you are, what you’re about, and what you’re doing.

Example:  The Constitution of the United States.

The essential mission statement there is “…to create a more perfect union.”

Where would we be as a nation today if they had not outlined the goals and hopes of a new nation in those terms?

The basics of a mission statement are as follows:

1. Keep it brief and to the point.

Nelson Mandela’s mission statement, developed over his 27 years in prison in South Africa, says just this:

“End Apartheid.”

Another great mission statement was developed by Abraham Lincoln upon his inauguration as President.

“Preserve the Union.”

Note that mission statements can change. Perhaps a mission is accomplished.

Franklin Roosevelt started his presidency with a mission to:

“End the Depression.”

By the time that was almost done another threat had arisen and the United States had become involved in World War II. Now the mission statement was:

“End the War.”

2. KISS.  Keep your mission statement  simple.

Make sure that even a 12-year-old would be able to understand the statement.

3. Make it memorable so it can be seared into your consciousness.

The rule of thumb here is that if you can’t recite it from memory, it’s too long and too complicated.

4.  Go public with it.

Your vision gains power when you go public with it.  When you put your commitment on record, you’re giving yourself an extra incentive to succeed.

If your Mission Statement calls you to be a “CEO”, then you should state it like you’ve already arrived.  ”I am the President of a Digital Software Company and my office is located in San Diego, CA overlooking the Ocean.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your job IS your mission. It’s only part of it…or not.

Either way, remember that a mission is larger than a job. Your job may change, but your mission may not. In fact, there are times that a job MUST change in order that a mission be completed. So don’t lock yourself in a box that says that you ARE your work. You’re far more than that.

Finally, clear out the negative  influences that have driven you in the past.

A mission statement isn't about what you think you should be doing. It’s about what “EXCITES” you. So instead of listening to all those voices from the past…the ones that told you you weren't worth anything, that you’d never succeed, and so forth. Concentrate on your gifts and follow after  your dreams.

Make yourself a copy of your Mission Statement and display it in a prominent place where it will be a constant reminder for you, your family and your associates as to the commitment you have made.  By doing this your subconscious mind will adopt to the vision you’ve created and will constantly direct your behavior toward the achievement of it.

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Angela Valadez
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P.S.  If you mission to to help others, there is also a Team of others who’s mission is the same.  Click here to find out more.

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