Please make sure you've first read the article, Using
a Personal Mission Statement to Chart Your Career Course.
The following exercises in Part I provide us
with feedback on our lifestyles, values, achievements, and other sources
of satisfaction in preparation for writing our personal mission statements.
Part II builds on that feedback to help you articulate your statement of
purpose.
A personal mission statement addresses three
questions:
1) What is my life about?
2) What do I stand for?
3) What action am I taking to live what my life
is about and what I stand for?
A useful mission statement should include two
pieces: what you wish to accomplish and contribute, and who you want to
be - the character strengths and qualities you wish to develop.
Part I
A. Describe your ideal day. This is not about
being practical. It is designed to include as many sides of you and of
your enthusiasms as possible: creative, competent, artistic, introverted,
extraverted, athletic, playful, nurturing, contemplative, etc.
B. Imagine yourself 132 years old and surrounded
by your descendants and/or those descendants of your friends. You are in
a warm and relaxed atmosphere (such as around a fireplace). What would
you say to them is important in life? This is designed to access the values
and principles that guide your life.
C. Imagine that it is your 35th or 50th birthday (or
another milestone in your life).
You have been asked by national print media to write a press release about
your achievements. Consider what you would want your family, friends, co-workers
in your profession and in your community to say about you. What difference
would you like to have made in their lives? How do you want to be remembered?
This is designed to inventory your actions and accomplishments in all areas
of your life.
Part II
Review your notes for these three exercises.
With those responses in mind, reflect on questions 1, 2, and 3 above. Then
write a rough draft (a page of any length) of your mission statement. Remember
that it should describe what you want to do and who you want to be. This
is not a job description. Carry it with you, post copies in visible places
at home and work, and revise and evaluate. Be patient with yourself. The
process is as important as the outcome. After a few weeks, write another
draft. Ask yourself if your statement was based on proven principles that
you believe in, if you feel direction, motivation and inspiration when
you read it. Over time, reviewing and evaluating will keep you abreast
of your own development.
