What Do You Stand For?
Create a Mission Statement for your life!
I’m starting a non-profit company this year (actually started working on it at the end of last year) so one thing that has been on my mind a lot are the questions of who we are and what we are trying to accomplish. You know ~ that 30-second elevator speech or “mission statement”. This can be really clunky and awkward at times OR it can be a well-thought-out statement about you and your company, leaving the listener to decide if they are emotionally moved, want more information, want to get involved…or not. So, what do you stand for? You’ve got 30 seconds! No room for hemming and hawing around the subject – just get right to the point.
Here’s a step-by-step process to reach a mission statement, either for your LIFE or for your company, non-profit or for profit, doesn’t matter. Personal mission statements often incorporate the financial, professional, relational and spiritual aspects of one’s life helping achieve a nice balance in all of these areas.
The definition of a Mission Statement is: A formal, short, written statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a sense of direction and guide in decision making. Whew! That’s quite a bit to get into one succinct statement. I’ve always heard that a good mission statement is one that is easily understood by an eighth-grader, is no longer than a couple of sentences so that it’s easily memorized, and should be able to be recited at gunpoint. (As in, “State your mission, soldier!”)
Step One: Think about what you’re good at – list some past successes with your program, your company, or your life.
Step Two: Identify your core values. Develop a list of attributes that best describes your highest potential and desires for how you show up in the world. What is it that you value most? The list can be long at first, getting everything on the table. Then, choose your top 3-5 strongest.
Step Three: Identify contributions. This list describes all of your “hot buttons”. Do you want to make a difference in health care, the environment, poverty, hunger, HIV/Aids, your community?
Step Four: Identify your goals. This step is for short-term and long-term goals. What do you want to do right now, one year from now, and what lasting effect to you want to manifest?
Step Five: Write your mission statement. Using the things that you’ve learned about yourself or your organization in the first four steps, begin a rough draft of your mission statement. It can be messy at first but continue to hone it until it becomes clear, removing any unnecessary words or phrases until your mission is concise and completely YOU.
Lastly, review your mission statement on a yearly or semi-yearly basis, making sure that your project, company, or your life is in alignment with what you’ve written. Post it where it can be seen clearly by all of your colleagues, customers, clients and YOUR SELF! Make sure there is continuity on your stationery, your web site, and all of your collateral.
My company came up with this: MINDDRIVE: To inspire at-risk students to want to learn, expand their vision for the future, and to have a positive influence on the urban workforce.
My personal mission statement is: To inspire creativity and spirituality ~ one day at a time.
Now….What is YOUR mission? I’d like to hear it!
2 Comments
My personal mission statement:
In balance with my family, I will make a positive difference with integrity and enthusiasm for:
• My company
• My community
• My industry
• My faith
I use this tool to help direct my time, talent and resources. I really like your approach, Linda, and know you’ll continue to help improve our world!
Eric Morgenstern
3/14/2011
I love this! Thank you, Eric!
Linda
3/14/2011
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