With the end of the year approaching, why not begin now to think ahead? Plan what you want to accomplish in your life in 2010 now.
A personal vision and mission statement is the agreement you make with yourself that this is who you want to be, how you want to act, what you will and will not do, and how you want to appear in the world. Think of it as a living, breathing document that will most likely change over the years.
Step 1
Take out a pen and paper and make a list of the things that you do well. What have others praised you about? Things that you do well might include skills, talents, characteristics, qualities and the unique way you approach life. List the things about you that make you feel happy and proud of yourself. Some examples are: "I am a supportive friend", "I have a wonderful sense of humor", and "I am well organized".
Please add to the list as additional things come to your mind over the next few days.
Step 2
Now on to identifying your core values.
You do have values that govern your life, whether you recognize this or not. These values have influence over how you make decisions. Your core values provide an indication of what is important to you, how you view the world, and what you believe in. Your values (or principles) control your behavior.
a) To get you started on identifying your core values, read the following list and circle 10 values that you would like to see more of during the next six months:
Achievement, Celebration, Autonomy, Adventure, Compassion, Beauty, Aspiration, Faith, Courage, Authenticity, Generosity, Diversity, Challenge, Harmony, Education, Creativity, Honor, Fitness, Determination, Humor, Friendship, Efficiency, Inner Peace, Health, Empowerment, Intuition, Imagination, Gentleness, Merit, Joy, Honesty, Openness, Leisure, Integrity, Persistence, Life, Knowledge, Prestige, Money, Leadership, Punctuality, Performance, Legacy, Recognition, Play, Love, Self-worth, Privacy, Peace, Serenity, Quality, Pride, Simplicity, Security, Prosperity, Trust, Stability, Respect, Wisdom, Survival
b) Now read through the values that you circled and place a check mark beside the three values you most want more of within the next six months.
c) Out of these three values, which do you desire the most? You want more of this value in your life than any others. It is called your core value.
c) Write your core value in huge letters below.
_____________________________
Step 3
Now on to selecting verbs that most excite and inspire you. Verbs are actions words.
a) Please read the list below (or add your own) and circle 15 actions you want to do more of during the next six months:
accomplish, acquire, adopt, advance, affect, believe, brighten, build, cause, choose, claim, collect, combine, communicate, complete, compose, conceive, connect, counsel, create, decide, defend, delight, deliver, demonstrate, direct, discover. discuss, distribute, draft, educate, embrace, encourage, endow, engage, engineer, enhance, enlighten, enlist, enliven, entertain, envision, evaluate, excite, explore, express, facilitate, finance, foster, gather, generate, give, grant, heal, hold, identify, ignite, illuminate, implement, improve, improvise, inspire, integrate, involve, launch, lead, mature, measure, model, motivate, negotiate, nurture, organize, participate, perform, persuade, play, possess, practice, prepare, promote, provide, realize, receive, reclaim, reduce, refine, reflect, reform, regard, relate, restore, safeguard, save, share, speak, stand, support, sustain, take, team, touch, trade, translate, travel, understand, uphold, utilize, validate, value, verbalize, volunteer, worship, write, yield
b) Now read all of the words you circled and place a check mark beside seven verbs that cause a reaction--a sound in your head. A reaction for you might be your stomach growling or a warm feeling in your chest. Those are the words that you want to put check marks beside.
c) Look at the words with check marks and circle the three actions you would most like to do more of in the next six months.
d) Write your three verbs below:
____________________, ____________________, ____________________
Step 4
You have selected your cores value and your verbs (actions). We need to connect them and see if they pass the compatibility test.
a). Transfer your verbs from Step 3 to the lines below.
b). Transfer your core value from Step 2 onto the line below.
Combine each of your verbs (actions) with the core value that you selected to see if they harmonize when they appear together in a sentence or phrase.
If one or more verbs do not make sense after being paired with the core value that you selected, it is important to determine which of the two words ring more "true" to who you are. Keep that word, then set aside the other, and search for a stronger word to replace it. One of the alternate words you selected may be a better fit. It is important to pinpoint what it is about the word that you like. Does is represent what you really want to do?
MY MISSION IS TO:
______________________________, (verb from Step 3)
______________________________, (verb from Step 3)
AND
______________________________, (verb from Step 3)
______________________________. (core value from Step 2)
Step 5
Now the task is to identify the causes (or tribes) that inspire you. Being clear on whom you really want to serve, inspire, learn from, and impact in a positive way creates a strong mission statement. What is it that you really believe in? Are there specific groups of people, organizations or causes that you are faithful about serving or helping? What are you passionate about?
The list below provides examples of groups or causes (tribes). Select the three that most appeal to you.
Addiction (alcohol, drug, etc.), Family issues, Children, Immigration, Health Care, Elderly, Poverty, Energy, Environment, Education, Agriculture, Gender equity, Homeless, Justice System, Government, Nutrition, Law, Politics, News, Veterans, Journalism, Performing arts, Sexuality Issues, Art, Literature, Music, Design, Sports, Food, Ill & Disabled, Synagogues, Computer technology, Safety, Community development, Spirituality, Labor relation, Minorities, Home health care, Food security, Printing & publishing, Women's issues, Tourism, Organizational development, Religion, Gardening, Defense, Literacy, Reproductive issues, Broadcasting, Space exploration, Border issues, Biotech, Youth, Animal rights, Civil rights issues, Public safety, Non-profit agencies, Animal care, Child protection, Churches, Animal protection, Human Rights, Childcare, Infants, Orphans & vulnerable children, Labor relations, Justice, Governance, Disabilities/Special needs
Step 6
You have now identified your actions, values and passions, and it is finally time to pull it all together into your mission statement. Your mission is the sum of your verbs, core value and tribes.
Please take a few moments to reflect upon what you have done up until now and think about what you really want to be, do and have. What purpose do you have for your life? Listen to your still, small inner voice within and using your verbs, values and tribes, write down what your heart is saying.
You simply need to add your 'tribe" data to the work that you completed in Step 4 to write a one to two sentence mission statement.
A good mission statement is inspiring, exciting, clear, true and engaging. As you read the statement you have formulated, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this you?
- Is this true?
- Does this make sense?
- Is this inspiring?
- Does this excite you?
- Are you willing to have your life be about this and this only?
- Is this something you can do in varied environments(work, home, alone, social gatherings)?
Write your final mission statement below:
When your mission statement is complete, write down small actions you will do this week to begin living your mission. Break the big things down into smaller tasks. Start with very easy tasks that you will follow through on and complete easily.
Some examples:
- Initiate a telephone call to set an appointment with someone with information you need
- Perform an Internet search on a subject
- Enroll in a Pilates class
- Get together with a supportive group of people to brainstorm
- Begin meditating every other day for the next week
Beginning right away is vital. Many experts would advise you to take at least one action within the 24 hours. Follow-through is very important.
Jot down the baby steps you will take within 24 hours:
1.
2.
3.
Mission Complete. Congratulations!
Step 7
While the Mission Statement that you created is a succinct declaration of your life purpose, the Vision Statement is a succinct declaration of the unique manner in which you will accomplish your purpose.
Imagine yourself 10 times braver. The fear is gone! Everything you do is a success. You cannot fail. Breathe in your glorious future.
I believe that we should describe the Vision Statement as though we are stating what we actually see, feel, and hear after we realize our ideal outcome. Answer the following questions in the present tense. Make it emotional and add a lot of detail. For example, "It is three years from now Friday afternoon and I am happy and smiling as I leave work".
Imagine it is Friday afternoon, three years from now.
- Where are you (city/town and state)?
- What are you doing on this Friday afternoon. Describe it all.
- Is there music playing?
- What do you hear?
- What are you looking at?
- What do you taste??
- What do you smell?
- What sensations do you have in your body?
- What thoughts are you thinking?
- Where do you live (house, apartment, trailer, tent)
- What people and animals live with you?
- What are you wearing?
- What did you do for fun last weekend?
- What are you planning to do this weekend?
Describe in detail your ideal work setting, ideal workday, and ideal co-workers. If you do not work, describe your ideal day.
Now you have developed the big picture for your life. This will help you remain focused and moving in the right direction even when life's distractions pop up. Your vision statement need not be written in stone. Who knows, you may have an epiphany and want to total rewrite your statement. I recommend that you review it once per quarter to determine if it is still aligned with your desired outcome.
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars."~ Les Brown
