How to Develop Your Personal Mission Statement

1. Begin with the End in Mind: Create Your Personal Mission Statement

"The single most important and far-reaching leadership activity that you will ever do is to develop a personal mission statement—and then to bring that sense of mission, of purpose, to your family."

Envision your destination. Like a pilot with a flight plan, having a clear destination in mind allows you to make course corrections and stay on track, even when faced with turbulence or unexpected challenges. A personal mission statement serves as your life's flight plan, providing direction and purpose.

Two-step creation process:

• Mental creation: Develop a clear vision of your desired outcome
• Physical creation: Take action to bring that vision into reality

By creating a personal mission statement, you take control of your life's direction, rather than allowing external forces or societal expectations to dictate your path. This proactive approach empowers you to live intentionally and make decisions aligned with your core values and aspirations.

2. Discover Your Core Purpose Through Self-Reflection

"You don't invent your mission, you detect it. You uncover it, as it were."

Uncover your innate purpose. Your mission statement should reflect your authentic self, not an idealized version or someone else's expectations. To discover your core purpose, engage in deep self-reflection and exploration.

Self-reflection techniques:

• Recall childhood dreams and aspirations
• Identify moments of deep fulfillment or flow
• Contemplate your unique gifts and talents
• Consider what you'd do if time and resources were unlimited
• Seek input from trusted mentors or friends who know you well

By delving into your innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences, you can uncover the essence of who you are and what truly matters to you. This self-discovery process forms the foundation of a meaningful and authentic personal mission statement.

3. Align Your Mission with Universal Principles

"The most effective centers—the ones that last, are meaningful, and give stability and peace—come from principles and natural laws."

Ground your mission in timeless principles. A truly effective mission statement should be based on universal principles and natural laws that transcend cultural or temporal boundaries. These principles provide a stable foundation for your life's purpose and direction.

Examples of universal principles:

• Integrity
• Service
• Growth
• Responsibility
• Compassion
• Excellence

By aligning your mission with these enduring principles, you create a compass that can guide you through various life circumstances and challenges. This alignment ensures that your mission statement remains relevant and meaningful throughout your life's journey, providing a sense of stability and purpose in an ever-changing world.

4. Embrace All Four Dimensions of Human Nature

"To live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy."

Holistic approach to life. A comprehensive mission statement should address all four fundamental dimensions of human nature: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. By incorporating these aspects, you create a well-rounded and fulfilling life purpose.

The four dimensions and their corresponding needs:

• Physical: Health, economic well-being (To live)
• Social/Emotional: Relationships, connection (To love)
• Mental: Growth, learning, creativity (To learn)
• Spiritual: Meaning, contribution (To leave a legacy)

Balancing these dimensions in your mission statement ensures that you're addressing all aspects of your life and not neglecting any crucial areas. This holistic approach leads to greater overall satisfaction and a sense of completeness in your life's purpose.

5. Incorporate Your Roles and Relationships

"I will conduct myself in family life in a matter that enriches our home by my presence. My family will be happy when I'm home."

Define your key roles. Your mission statement should reflect the various important roles you play in life and how you want to fulfill them. This includes personal, family, professional, and community roles.

Examples of roles to consider:

• Family: Parent, spouse, sibling
• Professional: Career, leadership positions
• Community: Volunteer, mentor, citizen
• Personal: Student, artist, athlete

By articulating how you want to show up in each of these roles, you create a comprehensive guide for your behavior and decision-making across all areas of your life. This approach ensures that your mission statement is practical and applicable to your daily experiences and relationships.

6. Craft a Timeless and Flexible Mission Statement

"You want to write a mission statement that is timeless, that will not change."

Create an enduring vision. While your specific goals may evolve over time, your core mission should remain relatively constant. Craft your mission statement with language and concepts that can stand the test of time and adapt to various life stages.

Characteristics of a timeless mission statement:

• Focuses on enduring principles and values
• Uses broad, adaptable language
• Addresses long-term aspirations rather than short-term goals
• Reflects your fundamental character and purpose

By creating a timeless mission statement, you provide yourself with a consistent guidepost throughout life's changes and challenges. This stability allows for flexibility in how you pursue your mission while maintaining a clear sense of direction and purpose.

7. Live Your Mission: Stay on Target and Make Course Corrections

"Stay on target. Stay on target. Stay on target."

Continuous alignment. Like a pilot making constant course corrections, living your mission requires ongoing effort and adjustment. Regularly review your mission statement and assess how well your actions align with your stated purpose.

Strategies for staying on target:

• Schedule regular reviews of your mission statement
• Reflect on daily decisions and their alignment with your mission
• Seek feedback from trusted friends or mentors
• Celebrate successes and learn from missteps
• Make necessary adjustments to your behavior or environment

By consistently referring back to your mission statement and making conscious efforts to align your actions with it, you create a powerful feedback loop that reinforces your purpose and helps you stay true to your core values and aspirations.

8. Use Your Mission Statement as a Compass for Decision-Making

"Everybody deep inside their hearts and minds has a compass like this."

Guide your choices. Your mission statement should serve as an internal compass, helping you navigate complex decisions and stay true to your core values. When faced with difficult choices, refer to your mission statement for guidance and clarity.

Decision-making process using your mission statement:

1. Identify the decision at hand
2. Review your mission statement
3. Consider how each option aligns with your stated purpose and values
4. Choose the path that best supports your mission
5. Reflect on the outcome and learn from the experience

By consistently using your mission statement as a decision-making tool, you reinforce its importance in your life and ensure that your actions are in harmony with your deepest values and aspirations.

9. Focus on Contribution and Service to Others

"The history of the world teaches that the power of joy in people doesn't come in getting, it always comes in giving, contributing, adding more."

Emphasize impact. A truly fulfilling mission statement often includes elements of service and contribution to others. By focusing on how you can make a positive impact on the world around you, you create a sense of purpose that transcends personal gain.

Ways to incorporate service in your mission:

• Identify causes or communities you're passionate about
• Consider how your unique skills can benefit others
• Reflect on past experiences where helping others brought you joy
• Explore opportunities for mentorship or volunteer work
• Think about the legacy you want to leave behind

By emphasizing contribution and service in your mission statement, you tap into a deeper sense of fulfillment and connection with the world around you. This outward focus often leads to greater personal satisfaction and a more meaningful life experience.

10. Continuously Refine and Revisit Your Mission Statement

"You will ask, 'Does this lift me? Does this focus me?'"

Evolving document. While your core mission should remain relatively stable, it's important to periodically review and refine your mission statement as you grow and gain new insights. Treat it as a living document that evolves with you.

Refining process:

• Schedule annual or bi-annual reviews of your mission statement
• Reflect on recent experiences and how they've shaped your perspective
• Consider new roles or responsibilities you've taken on
• Assess whether your current statement still resonates with your deepest values
• Make thoughtful adjustments while maintaining your core principles

By regularly revisiting and refining your mission statement, you ensure that it remains a relevant and powerful tool for guiding your life. This process of continuous improvement helps you stay connected to your purpose and adapt to life's changes while maintaining a strong sense of direction.

Last updated: January 25, 2025