In many top down planning methods crafting a mission statement is part of the process of personal development. Some people question the time it takes to develop a personal mission statement. If all you see are examples of company mission statements with their language which is dated and sometimes clichéd then I can understand why people can seem to not need to go through this process of personal growth.
Why a Personal Mission Statement is Powerful
A personal mission statement is powerful, because it should be a reflection of your core values important relationships, and beliefs. It is a snapshot of who you are and who you want to become.
Components of a Mission Statement
List out five to ten values and define them. Think about what relationships are important you, define what you contribute to the relationship and what you get from it. Define your spiritual beliefs and how they impact your mission. You now have the building blocks of your mission statement.
Putting it Together
Put the components together so that they resonate with you. Spend some time putting this together. It does not need to be perfect, because your mission statement should be revised regularly.
Regular Reviews
Regularly review your mission statement. Your mission statement needs to be reviewed and adjusted regularly. I review mine as part of a weekly review. Every so often I rewrite my mission statement as a way of keeping it relevant to me. Do not be afraid to scrap your statement and start again, or to rewrite it.
Cautions
There are a few things that I would caution against. One is reading to many examples of mission statements. I made the mistake of doing this and it took me years to get a mission statement that felt right for me. I also suggest that you do not try to break yourself into different chunks and address the pieces your mission statement should address who you are not what you do.
Last Words
It is a time consuming process, but worth it to learn about yourself. You can not plan where you want to go if you do not know where you have been.