How to Develop Your Mission Statement

Six Steps for Writing a Powerful Mission Statement

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of our true purpose and direction. However, having a personal life mission statement can serve as a guiding light, providing clarity, focus, and a sense of fulfillment. As Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” famously said, “Begin with the end in mind.” Crafting a life mission statement involves introspection, reflection, and deliberate intentionality.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind without pausing to consider our deeper purpose and direction. This lack of clarity and intentionality can lead to feelings of aimlessness, dissatisfaction, and even depression. Without a clear sense of purpose and direction, we may be drifting through life, reacting to circumstances rather than actively shaping our destiny. This is where having a personal life mission statement becomes invaluable. It serves as a compass, guiding our decisions and actions in alignment with our values, passions, and vision for the future. By articulating our life’s purpose concisely, we gain clarity, focus, and a sense of empowerment to live with intentionality. As Dr. Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, famously said, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” A clear mission statement provides us with that essential “why” – a reason to get out of bed each day and a motivation to pursue our dreams and aspirations. Essentially, it helps us transition from a passive existence to a purpose-driven life filled with meaning, fulfillment, and joy.

Here are six steps to help you create your mission statement:

Reflect on Your Values and Beliefs:

Take time to ponder what matters most to you in life. Consider your core values, principles, and beliefs that guide your decisions and actions.

Identifying your core values is a deeply personal journey that requires introspection and self-reflection. Begin by considering the qualities and principles that are most important to you and that guide your decisions and actions. As Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” suggests, “Start with the end in mind.” Imagine your ideal life and the values that would be integral to that vision. Reflect on past experiences and moments when you felt most fulfilled and aligned with your true self. As Dr. Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author, advises, “Get deliberate about identifying the values that are most meaningful to you.” Write down a list of values that resonate with you, and then prioritize them based on their significance. Remember that your core values are unique to you and may evolve over time, so be open to exploring and refining them as you grow and evolve.

Identify Your Passions and Strengths:

Reflect on the activities and pursuits that energize and inspire you. What are you naturally good at? What brings you joy and fulfillment?

Identifying your passions and strengths is a transformative journey of self-discovery that can unlock your full potential and lead to a more fulfilling life. Start by reflecting on activities, interests, and pursuits that energize and inspire you. As Dr. Howard Thurman, theologian and civil rights leader, famously said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Pay attention to moments when you lose track of time or feel a sense of flow and engagement – these are clues to your passions. Additionally, consider the feedback you’ve received from others about your strengths and talents. As Marcus Buckingham, co-author of “Now, Discover Your Strengths,” suggests, “Your strengths are your areas of greatest potential for growth and success.” Take assessments like the StrengthsFinder and Myers-Briggs to gain deeper insights into your unique strengths and personality preferences. By embracing your passions and strengths, you’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment that will guide you toward a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.

Define Your Vision for the Future:

Envision the kind of life you want to lead and the impact you want to make in the world. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Crafting a vision for your future self is a powerful exercise that can provide clarity, direction, and motivation as you strive to achieve your goals and aspirations. Begin by envisioning the kind of life you want to lead and the person you aspire to become. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of “The Little Prince,” once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Imagine yourself five or ten years down the road – what do you see? What are you doing? How do you feel? Visualize the different aspects of your life, including career, relationships, health, and personal growth. Reflect on your values, passions, and strengths, and consider how they align with your vision for the future. To help define your vision, try journaling about your dreams and aspirations, creating a vision board filled with images and quotes that inspire you, or engaging in visualization exercises where you mentally picture your ideal future. By taking the time to clarify your vision, you’ll gain a sense of purpose and direction that will guide you toward a life that reflects your true desires and aspirations.

Craft Your Statement:

Based on your reflections, distill your values, passions, and vision into a concise statement that encapsulates your life’s purpose and direction. Keep it clear, concise, and actionable.

Start by reflecting on what matters most to you and the legacy you want to leave behind. Consider your core values, beliefs, and principles that define who you are and guide your decisions and actions. As Dr. Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, famously said, “The meaning of life is to give life meaning.” Your mission statement should reflect your unique purpose and vision for the future. Write down your thoughts and ideas, then refine them down to one or two sentences that capture the essence of your mission. Keep it clear, concise, and actionable. By crafting a personal mission statement, you’ll gain clarity, focus, and a sense of direction that will empower you to live a purpose-driven life aligned with your values and aspirations.

Refine and Iterate:

Your mission statement is a living document that may evolve over time. Be open to refining and iterating on it as you grow and evolve in life.

Refining your personal mission statement on a yearly basis is a powerful practice that allows you to adapt and grow along your journey of self-discovery and personal development. As Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” advises, “Sharpen the saw.” Take time to reflect on your experiences, achievements, and lessons learned over the past year. Consider how you’ve evolved as a person and how your values, passions, and aspirations may have shifted. As Dr. Maya Angelou, acclaimed poet and author, once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Your personal mission statement should reflect your current values, priorities, and vision for the future. Write down your thoughts and ideas, then refine your mission statement accordingly, keeping it clear, concise, and relevant to your current circumstances. By revisiting and refining your personal mission statement annually, you’ll ensure that it remains a meaningful and guiding force in your life as you continue to evolve and grow.

Live Your Mission:

Once you’ve crafted your mission statement, use it as a compass to guide your decisions and actions in alignment with your values and goals. Let it inspire you to live a purpose-driven life.

Living your personal mission statement empowers you to say YES to the right things in life and NO to the things that drain your energy and detract from your purpose. As Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” advises, “Put first things first.” Prioritize activities and opportunities that align with your values, passions, and goals, and decline those that do not serve your greater purpose. As Dr. Viktor Frankl famously said, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” Embrace this space by consciously evaluating each opportunity and considering whether it brings you closer to or further from your vision for the future. Trust your instincts and intuition to guide you in making decisions that honor your personal mission and lead to greater fulfillment and alignment with your true self. Remember that saying NO to the wrong things allows you to say a resounding YES to the right opportunities that will enrich your life and bring you closer to your goals.

Take The Next Step

Unlock the power of your personal mission statement with Executive Life Coach Terry Porter by your side. With Terry’s expertise as an ICF certified coach and a master’s degree from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, you’ll receive expert guidance tailored to your unique goals and aspirations. Terry will work collaboratively with you to craft a personal mission statement that reflects your values, passions, and vision for the future. Through a structured coaching process, Terry will help you clarify your purpose, identify key areas for growth, and develop a strategic plan to live your mission authentically and intentionally. Ready to take the first step towards a more purpose-driven life? Schedule your free consultation with Terry today and embark on a transformative journey towards greater fulfillment and success.

Terry Porter is an Executive Life Coach. Working with clients to clarify and pursue their life dreams.