Your Personal Mission Statement: A Powerful Tool for Gaining Clarity and Renewing Motivation

If goal achievement seems to keep eluding you or you’re not satisfied with your current rate of progress, then it is a good idea to confirm whether your goals are in harmony with your personal mission. When goals are not in harmony with your real values and deepest desires, you will be easily distracted. And, it’s unlikely that you’ll be enthusiastic or make efficient use of your time. Confirming whether your goals are in harmony with your personal mission can be done by reexamining or actually writing your personal mission statement.

A personal mission statement is a declaration of the kind of person you want to be and what you want to accomplish with your life. It reflects (1) what you value, (2) what life philosophies you hold and align your lifestyle, (3) what characteristics you want to possess, and (4) what reputation you want to have.

Just as corporations can benefit from having a well-defined mission statement, you as an individual can benefit from having a well-defined mission statement because it:

1. Helps you identify what make’s your life worth living;
2. Helps you identify and communicate your real goals;
3. Provides direction and a focus for your personal and professional goals;
4. Helps you define priorities and make decisions based on your actual goals;
5. Provides inspiration during challenging times; and
6. Provides a reminder (when used effectively) of what you really value.

How do you get started?

1. Answers the following questions:

• What gifts and talents do you have and want to use?
• What environments (physical and emotional) do you thrive in?
• Who and what kind of situations brings you joy?
• What advice do you want to pass on to your children about what is important in life?
• What advice do you want to pass on to your children about how to live a "good" life? (What is "good" is up to you.)

2. Write a statement that encompasses the essence of your answers to the above questions.

You can write one statement that encompasses many different aspects of your life (finances, marriage, career, parenthood, community service), or, you can do a separate mission statement for each aspect of your life. For example, writing the book "Wealth Mentality®: Program Yourself to Get and Keep the Wealth You Want" was part of my mission statement for my professional life. It goes like this:

My mission as an author and educator is to use my knowledge and talents to help others discover a Wealth Mentality® within them so that they can live more prosperous and more fulfilled lives.

3. Be patient.

Your mission statement is an important tool for staying focused and gauging whether you are on track to accomplishing your personal goals. So take your time. You don’t have to finish it in one day. It may require several drafts before you have something that accurately reflects your intention and is inspiring for you.

4. Post, reevaluate and revise.

Carry it with you and post copies in visible places where you spend a lot of time. At least once a week, reevaluate and revise your statement until you are satisfied. The more specific your mission statement is (specific is better in my opinion), the more likely you are to alter your statement as you mature, gain new information and insights about yourself, and your interests and goals expand.

Don’t overlook or underestimate the power of a well-defined personal mission statement. If used effectively, your personal mission statement will keep you focused on what’s really important to you. It is only when you are working on what’s important to you that you put forth full, enthusiastic effort. So, start using this powerful tool today.

To arrange for Sherrin to come and speak to your group, visit http://www.sherrin.com/.