How to Build a Personal Mission Statement

Why Create a Personal Mission Statement?

Purpose or Mission is the drive behind what we do, our accomplishments, talents, strengths and unique personal qualities that we contribute to the world. Mission is what directs, guides and motivates us. Mission also reflects what we naturally do best. Life Purpose or Mission is not about a job or even a vocation. Mission is the round-the-clock, twenty-four-hour, every day-of-your-life expression of who you are when you are reaching your full potential.

Some humans are aware of their purpose and their awareness gives them meaning to everything they do. When people are “on purpose” they are contributing (rather than primarily consuming), making a difference and all they do works toward achieving this mission. Others are not yet aware of their life purpose or mission and live a life maintaining the status quo and following the waves of popular opinion. Resulting in feeling disconnected, unfulfilled, and as though nothing they build ever lasts.

Common Misconceptions About Mission Statements

Perhaps you're intimidated to start. A mission statement can sound daunting or as if what is written is lifelong. I assure you, it is not set in concrete. Hopefully, you change, grow, and learn as you grow towards your goals. As you gain a greater view of the road ahead, you're free to make adjustments. With freedom to make tweaks personal mission statement can continue give you clarity and a strong sense of direction while navigating the ever evolving dimensions of life.

Consider your personal mission statement a living breathing document that grows as you do. As your circumstances and abilities change and the things you aspire to, you may want to review your personal mission statement at varying points throughout your lifetime.

Benefits of Creating Your Mission Statement

• Enhanced Clarity and Focus: Clearly define your goals and make purposeful decisions aligned with your values.

• Improved Resilience: Navigate life's challenges effectively by staying grounded in your mission.

• Greater Life Satisfaction: Aligning actions with your personal mission contributes significantly to a meaningful and fulfilling life (Frankl, 1959).
  

Follow these steps to build your personal mission statement (*Pro Tip: Honor the process and allow yourself time to do a deep work of meaning):

Step 1: Reflect on Your Goals and Values

1. Choose top 10 values from the Word Value Sheets (10-15 min Link Below)

2. Attached you will find a list with hundreds of words. The best way to do this dive in is by going through a process of elimination:

   1. Start with underlining or highlighting all the words that resonate with you.

   2. Try to narrow this down to 25-30.

   3. See if there is an overlap between words and combine these; see if certain words are incorporating concepts from other words so you can remove them

   4. Now work to cut the list down to about 10 words (a little more or little less is okay) and then all the way down to 4-5.

Step 2: Write Your Personal Mission Statement

1. Use the 4-5 remaining words, or the meaning of them, to write at least paragraph that will help you understand yourself and why these values are important to you. (10-15 minutes)

2. Narrow the paragraph down to a simple sentence or statement that may include some of your values. “I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter.” - Blaise Pascal

Step 3: Review and Revise Your Personal Mission Statement

1. Identify areas in your life (past and present) where you have not walked in your mission and values. What has that cost you? What are the top few things you would like to re-align with your mission and values?

Examples of Personal Mission Statements:

• Life Coach Grant Beaudry's Person Mission Statement: "inspiring people to live fully alive; mind, body, and soul"

• Life Coach Mick Silvers Coaching Mission Statement: "As humans, we innately want to feel connection, love, and belonging. However, we can find ourselves feeling isolated and struggling with our relationships and behaviors. As your Coach, my mission is to take a holistic approach working together towards self discovery, healing, and growth"

Download the Free Value Words List Here:

Scholarly References

Frankl, V. E. (1959). Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.

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