Mission and vision statements are not a new concept for companies and organizations all around the world. But chances are that most people don’t know of personal vision and mission statements. Businesses and organizations come up with their vision and mission statements as one of the first business step they take. This just goes to show the importance of these two statements. They form the basis on the direction and purpose of the organization.
A personal vision statement works in more or less the same way as that of a company or an organization. Having a personal mission and vision can help you achieve so much from life.
Well, if you have never heard of the terms, you probably don’t know how to go about writing them. Don’t worry. In this article, we will highlight all that you need to know about personal vision and mission statements. We’ll also throw in a tip or two to help you draft your own.
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What is a Personal Vision Statement?
Just like for companies, a personal vision statement describes the kind of life that you want to live. It helps lay a foundation for all the decisions that you will make. As such, your personal vision statement will not only affect you but those around you as well.
According to some research, having a personal vision is an important factor for individual success and satisfaction. A personal vision will help you remain in a balanced cycle. Instead of having burnout, you will be more productive and more satisfied.
How to Write a Personal Mission Statement
Now that you know its importance, you undoubtedly want to know how to write a personal mission statement. You may be ready to create your vision statement, but how do you go about it? Here are a few things to keep in mind that will make it easier to come up with a nice personal statement.
Highlight your core values
What are some of the values you hold dear? Which are some of the things that you stand by? Understanding your core values is the first significant step to take. To get the answer to the above two questions, you may, for example, have a look at your journals (if you have any), or reflect on some past incidences where you stood your ground for something you believed in. Famous historical figures that you admire may also stand for some of the core values you believe in.
Clarify your interests
Your vision statement should also capture some of your interests. What are some of the things that you enjoy doing? What activities make you happy? Make a list of things that you enjoy doing and things that you excel at. Narrow this list to the ones that give you the most joy and focus on these when writing your statement.
Determine your ideal life
This step will take you quite a while, but it is all worth it if you want to draft a personal mission statement. Think of the kind of life you would live if you had no limitations. Identify your aspirations in all sectors of your life. What would you be as the ideal spouse? Mother? Boss? Sister? By envisioning your ideal self, you will come up with goals and dreams that give you a sense of what you need to work on.
Think of the people you will leave behind
How would you want your eulogy to read? How will people perceive you after you are gone? While this may be an awkward step, it helps you focus on your impact on others. Figure out all the important people in your life and determine how you would like them to remember you. This step will help you determine how you need to step up in the different roles that you play in society.
Set and write down your goals
Now that you have the fundamental aspects of your mission statement, it is time to set your goals. Your goals need to be smart and should help you achieve your overall vision. Often, people will set mental goals and forget about them after a while. People are more likely to achieve goals that they write down. Listing down your goals shows commitment and makes it easier for you to review your progress every so often.
Draft your personal vision statement
Once you are done with the above steps, you are now ready to draft your mission statement. You don’t have to get it right the first time, so don’t beat yourself up when you fail the first time. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the statement should be short, clear and concise. It could be of any length from a few sentences to whole paragraphs. Keep the statement positive and the main points to highlight should be what you want to achieve.
Why are Mission Statements Important?
Now that we have answered the question, ‘what is a personal mission statement?’, it is crucial to focus on why having one is important. Mission statements are the driving force behind companies, businesses, and organizations all around the world. In the same way, a personal mission statement offers several advantages. Let’s have a look at some of them.
Provide a guide for making decisions
You will need to make some decisions every day. A personal mission statement acts as a tool that helps you make any difficult decisions. Take the Nike mission statement, for example. The company’s mission is to do everything possible to expand human potential. The statement goes on to say that they achieve this by creating groundbreaking sport innovations. As such, whenever Nike has a tough decision to make, they can always refer to the mission statement that leads them to inspiring every athlete in the world.
It is a declaration that allows you to stay on course
A personal vision statement helps you stay on the right path toward your ideal life. For companies, vision statements remind the employees why the company exists, and what they are working towards. The N3 vision statement reads, ‘to go beyond the ordinary achieves remarkable results for innovative brands. Win. Inspire. Learn. Lead. Similarly, the Amazon mission statement is to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything that they may want to buy online. This declaration helps the company stay on its course and fulfill its purpose.
It is a framework for how you want to live
Your mission statement will highlight the kind of life that you want to lead and how you want the people around you to remember you. This statement serves as a foundation for your life’s goals. The Apple mission statement reads in part, ‘the company is committed to bringing the best user experience to its customers through innovative products, software and services. Apple, therefore, aims to be a leader in the technology world.
On Personal Mission Statements
Having a personal mission statement is one of the first steps you can take to have a fulfilling life. While it may seem like a long and tedious process, writing a personal mission and vision forces you to reflect and look at things clearly. Follow the steps above to have your first draft. The best part about it is that you can keep revising your statement as you achieve certain goals or as your life’s course changes.
