Have you ever taken the time to figure out your purpose in life? Or stopped to work out what’s really important to you? Chances are you are far too busy to sit down and contemplate the meaning of life. That’s where a personal mission statement can come in handy, it can help you to focus your efforts.
Why Should I Create a Personal Mission Statement?
It’s not enough to just know what you want to do; you also need to identify why you want to do it. Your mission statement will help you to:
· Outline your purpose in life
· Gain the motivation required to achieve happiness and success.
· Identify your chief goals and aims.
· Paints a picture of where you want to be in the future.
· Obtain structure and guidelines in order to move forward.
· Achieve goals and fulfil your potential.
How Do I Create a Personal Mission Statement?
Not sure where to begin? Start by taking a long, hard look at yourself in the mirror. It’s not easy, but self-awareness is essential. Think about your character traits and emotions, consider what drives you forward and what you really want from life.
Identify Your Values
Pinpoint what’s important to you. This can be tricky at first! If you are struggling to get your thoughts in order put pen to paper and brainstorm your ideas. Once you’ve done that you can list your values in priority order.
Pinpoint Your Interests
Identify what you enjoy and what makes you tick. If you can combine your work with your interests you will be more enthusiastic about your day. You will be more content in life if you can find a career that will stimulate and reward you.
Determine Your Strengths
It’s fine to blow your own trumpet from time to time. Take a moment to identify your key skills, simply begin by jotting down what you are good at. It might be wise to ask your nearest and dearest where they think your strengths lie.
Identify SMART Goals
Goals should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. It’s not enough to say you want to earn more money or become successful – you need to define quantifiable goals. If your goals are too easy you might get bored along the way, so don’t be afraid to stretch yourself a little. That said, making your gaols nigh on impossible will leave you feeling discouraged. Your goals should be timely in order to keep you feeling driven, if you don’t have a deadline you might find yourself getting easily distracted.
Stay Positive
Your personal statement should motivate you and provide you with the inspiration to get on. Don’t be afraid to dream big and set your sights on what you really want! It’s easy to doubt yourself, but if you can believe in yourself others are more likely to believe in you too!
Keep It Short, Sweet and Neat
Your personal mission statement doesn’t need to be an essay. Keep it short and sweet by sticking to the main points. Look to the future when you are writing, and don’t set up boundaries or create limitations before you even get started.
How Do I Combine Everything I Have Learnt About Myself?
You’ve identified your strengths, pinpointed what excites you and figured out what’s important to you. Now it’s time to combine these elements and draft your personal mission statement. It’s time to get to the nitty gritty – to state your purpose in life. You might have to rewrite and edit it a couple of times before you’re completely happy, but keep at it.
Remember each and every one of us is unique, your mission statement should be about you and no-one else. Your personal statement should constantly evolve, as you develop and grow your personal statement should do the same.
Are There Any Good Examples of Personal Mission Statements?
Still not sure on how to pen your own personal mission statement? Although yours needs to be bespoke and suit your own particular goals and ideals, you can certainly get your creative juices flowing by looking at a couple of examples. Here are a few of the best personal mission statements, crafted by a handful of well-known figures.
To serve as a leader, live a balanced life, and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference.
Denis Morrison – CEO Campbell Soup Company.
To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of women around the world.
Amada Steinberg, founder of Daily Worth.
I shall not fear anyone on Earth. I shall fear only God. I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.
Mahatma Gandhi – Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.
Maya Angelou – American poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist
I Think I’m Ready to Create My Own Powerful Personal Mission Statement.
Then get drafting and outline what it is you want and, more importantly, why you want it. Identify your purpose and resolve to maximise your potential. It’s time to focus on your own growth and strive to be the best version of yourself.