Writing a Mission Statement

It is fairly common for most businesses and churches to have mission statements. They can be quite simple or complex but the mission statement helps define who something or someone is and how they want to contribute to the world around us. I’ve tried writing my own personal mission statement but always seem to lose focus. How specific should I be?  Do I need an individual statement for each area of life? Can I write it so it is clear, concise and helps me become the person I wish to be? Whatever step I take, I need to begin by trying.

I have found a great, FREE, online tool which can help you write your own personal mission statement. At Franklin Covey they walk you through the process. They ask the questions and you supply the answers. When you are finished with the process, they provide you with a well written and concise mission statement. You can go back and tweak it if something does not reflect your original meaning. Once you read it you may find you want to go back and add or delete something. It is very easy to use. Below is my personal mission statement made at Franklin Covey.

1. I am at my best when I am helping people.
2. I will try to prevent times when I have no purpose.
3. I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can write, read, answer questions, and be creative.
4. I will find enjoyment in my personal life through writing, reading, creating, giving back to the community, spending time with my daughters and traveling.
5. I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as making people feel welcome and included, explaining things, being a friend, writing and being creative.
6. I can do anything I set my mind to. I will write a book, travel the world, and learn to speak French, Spanish and Italian, buy a home so I can invite friends and family to make memories with me there, and volunteer to help girls.
7. My life’s journey is about loving my ex-husband, freely offering forgiveness and ultimately being betrayed. It is how I am healing from the hurt with the support of Heidi, Chris and Kari and rebuilding a full life including the possibility of love with a new life partner. My journey is about making a positive contribution to my family and community.
8. When I am 80, I will be a person who is surrounded by my daughters, their husbands, my grandchildren and my life partner. My church and community friends will be there to celebrate the positive and loving impact I have had on them and my community. I will be celebrating what I can accomplish in my time left on this earth, my faith in God and the legacy I will leave behind.
9. My most important future contribution to others will be my daughters’ deep faith in God and the knowledge he is always with them and will never leave them. I will have also taught them the importance of forgiveness, loving support and leaving behind toxic people. These qualities will enhance the lives of everyone with whom they come in contact.

I will stop procrastinating and start working on:

• Taking better care of my health through diet and exercise.
• Returning to my faith by joining a church and becoming an active participant.
• Believing in myself and my ability to succeed, be happy and to be loved. Giving up the idea I am doomed for unhappiness and to be alone for the rest of my life without a loving life partner.

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• Unconditional love
• Compassion in action
• Deep and abiding faith despite unanswered prayers

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• Taking control of my health by choosing a healthy diet and adding an exercise program.
• Joining a church, getting involved and beginning to study the Bible again.
• Signing up to learn something new
• No longer isolate myself by finding areas in my community in which to become involved.