Developing a Mission Statement
In my last post on developing a http://www.middle-way-method.com/developing-personal-identity-part-two-developing-a-personal-mission-statement/ I wrote about how mission statements are composed of values. Determining our personal core values is one of the hardest, but most important things a person can do to learn who they are. Once your core values are determined you can start to acquire new values, that you wish to achieve.
Benjamin Franklin determined that there were 13 virtues he wished to incorporate into his character. He spent the rest of his life working on improving in the following virtues/values:
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Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. Silence — Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; Avoid trifling Conversation. 3. Order — Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 4. Resolution — Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. Frugality — Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. 6. Industry — Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions. 7. Sincerity — Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 8. Justice — Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 9. Moderation — Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. Cleanliness — Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation. 11. Tranquility — Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. Chastity — Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation. 13. Humility — Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
From The Art of Manliness Blog The Virtuous Life: Wrap Up
Benjamin Franklin’s list of virtues shows one important step in learning what our values are, that is, being specific. For example the virtue of order from the list could mean many things, so Ben wrote a sentence to clarify its meaning.
One of the first things I saw when I was trying to decide what my values were was to look at a list of values, such as the one found in the book the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I encourage you to at least read the section on values and the creation of a mission statement which will help you in your process. I found the following list of values at Values.com.
Pick 10 values from the above list. The next step is to rank these values mark them 1 – 10, with one being high.
Another exercise for helping to develop a personal mission statement is an exercise I found in the book the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen R. Covey.
Imagine you are at your own funeral. People important to you from every part of your life will speak. What will your spouse say, children, other family members, friends, co-worker / employees, people from your religious congregation? Imagine what you would like each of these different types of people to say. Then think about what you would have to do now for each of them to say that in the future.
Combine all these values, and bring them down to the basics. What are the repeating themes? Define the values you have discovered. After these values are defined they become a solid base for your mission statement.
Remember to also look to written sources of inspiration for help in discovering and defining your mission statement. Some common places to look, are scripture, speeches by inspirational leaders, and good books.
All that is left is writing your mission statement. There are some things to remember when going through this process:
- If you look at sample mission statements too much the process will short-circuit, and you will not create a meaningful mission statement.
- A mission statement is a guide, and as you change your mission statement should change as well. This is not a do it once and its done exercise. It is a review, and rewrite regularly exercise.
Developing a Vision Statement
In my last post on vision statements, I said that it was essential to develop a mission statement before you can develop a vision statement. Your vision statement should reflect your mission statement, but be shorter, and be written from the vantage of having achieved everything you set out to do in your mission statement.
Remember that your vision statement is a changing document as well. As your mission, values and goals changed so should your vision statement change.
There are many sources you can go to today to find many exercises, and things to do to help you write a mission statement. Remember that a mission statement is a record of who you want to become. Always verify your mission statement with your spiritual center before working on a vision statement.
Incorporate your mission and vision statements deeply into yourself. A vision statement on the other hand should give you a look into what it is to become the person you have set out to become. A vision statement stays with you longer, and guides your actions. You cannot create as good of a vision statement if you have not created a mission statement.