How to Create a Personal MISSION STATEMENT

WINDS OF FATE by Ella Wheeler Wilcox One ship drives east and another drives west. With the selfsame winds that blow. ‘Tis the set of the sails and not the gales Which tells us the way to go. Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate As we voyage along through life. “Tis the set of the soul that decides a goal And not the cold or the strife. ACTIVITY: Show video clip of “Jerry McGuire”

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

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. Activity: Read Terry Fox story

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.

Steps for Writing Personal Mission Statement 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.

Steps for Writing Personal Mission Statement 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.

Steps for Writing Personal Mission Statement 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.

Steps for Writing Personal Mission Statement 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.

Steps for Writing Personal Mission Statement 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.

An Example of a Mission Statement … continued 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.

An Example of a Mission Statement … continued 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

VICTOR FRANKL said Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life He/she cannot be replaced Nor can his/her life be repeated Thus, everyone’s task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it.

FRANKL cont’d We detect rather than invent our missions in life Each of us has an internal monitor that gives us an awareness of our own uniqueness and contributions that we can make.