Do you want to combine your passions and create a successful, fulfilling career? Do you know where your passions and expertise meet? Do you remember another article where I challenged you to find this out? Integrate, don't separate! You don't have to cut off parts of yourself to fit into someone else's mold. Why would you do that to yourself?

Now it's time to turn your attention to creating a written mission statement which will guide you as you go about your purpose. Your mission is your map, your blueprint, your recipe for what you want to do and who and HOW you want to serve. You wouldn't expect to drive cross country from coast to coast without a map, but most of the time, people live their lives without a clear mission. In the large groups I present to, I can tell you that when I ask who has a WRITTEN mission statement and mission objective, usually only a few folks raise their hands. Yes, only three or four out of a thousand! Can you believe that??)

Why write down your mission objective or goal? When you write it down, you can see it, touch it, and feel it! When you write it down, you put a vague notion of your mission purpose into a concrete form and assert its importance. (If an event or assignment is important to you, don't you write it on your calendar, sweetheart?? You are certain to write it down so you won't forget to show up or do what you promised.) A written mission statement keeps you accountable--to yourself and your work.

If you're in business, an added benefit of a written mission statement is that it can serve as a tag line on your business card and other marketing materials, a featured part of your website, or a phrase and sound byte you use in interviews and PR to promote your company. In fact, that written mission becomes a verbal encapsulation of your brand and will attract customers and clients who appreciate your values and offerings.

If you work for someone else, a written mission objective is invaluable because it reminds you of WHY you are there--not of the banal tasks and assignments you must do from day to day, but rather of the big picture mission that is yours in that company or organization. Your mission objective will help you stay psyched about your work in spite of the menial assignments that drive you nuts. At the very least, a solid mission purpose will help you have a better attitude which, in turn, impacts your performance and working environment as a whole.

So whether you're self-employed or simply employed, having a clear mission statement and mission objective is a top priority if you want to stay inspired, focused, and fruitful. You know those credit card commercials, "Don't leave home without it?" The same is true of your mission objective. Without it, you're a bow and arrow without a target or a misguided Amazon without a bow, arrow, OR target. Let me spell it out for you...I-N-E-F-F-E-C-T-U-A-L.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article in which I'll give you a real-life mission sample and show you how to create your own. There's a reason why the cave people (notice the non-sexist language) etched stuff on rocks. They knew that writing it down was key to making it happen and preserving it for generations to come. Hmmmm, something to ponder, isn't it? Go grab your chisel, and stay tuned for the follow up to this article.