Writing Your Personal Vision/Mission Statement

I recently spent some time revising my personal vision/mission statement for my coaching practice. While doing this, it occurred to me that the vision I have for my work is closely related to my personal vision. Having a job that reflects my personal vision is powerful because it has allowed me to create a business life for myself that truly reflects who I am.

Companies know all about vision and mission statements and getting their employees on board. Vision and mission statements propel the company in the direction that they want, and ultimately towards success. Many of us have spent countless hours working on these statements for our employers, and doing our part to contribute to their vision as a part of the team. Much like a business, we, as human beings have a purpose or mission in life.

What if we spent as much time getting to know who we are and what we want for ourselves? A personal vision/mission statement is the framework for creating a powerful life. Unlike a goal, a vision or mission rarely changes. It is a reason for our existence. It guides us in the decisions we make and the directions we take.

Your Personal Vision

Close your eyes and picture yourself in the future. It may be a few months or years from today. See the person you are; what you are doing, who you are with, what you have accomplished, what is important to you, and how people relate to you. How does it feel to be you? Feel the person you are, your true self. Now, open your eyes and see your life and yourself in the present, through those eyes. You will begin to notice the changes you need to make to honour this vision and lead a powerful life. A Personal Vision is a picture of your True Self in the future. An effective personal vision includes all the important elements of your life and career; it is who you want to be, what you want to do, how you want to feel, what you want to own, and who you want to associate with. Although your personal vision helps you to see into the future, it must be grounded in the present. It is a statement of who you are, and who you are becoming. It is the framework for the process of creating your life. Your vision is where you are headed, how you get there is your mission statement.

Your Personal Mission Statement

A Personal Mission Statement is how you will manifest your Personal Vision in your daily life. It may be a few words or several pages, but it is not a "to do" list. It reflects your uniqueness and must speak to you powerfully about the person you are and the person you are becoming. Remember, it's okay to be where you are, while heading somewhere else. In fact, the only place you can start, is where you are right now. Having a personal vision does not mean your life changes overnight. But it will change. Your personal mission statement provides the steps to get you there.

Your Personal Mission Statement should answer three questions:

  • What is my life about (Purpose)?

  • What do I stand for (Values)?

  • What actions do I take to manifest my Purpose and my Values?

    Stephen Covey writes that an empowering Mission Statement: Represents the deepest and best within you. It comes out of a solid connection with your deep inner life. Is the fulfillment of your own unique gifts. It's the expression of your unique capacity to contribute. Addresses and integrates the four fundamental human needs and capacities in the physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions. Deals with all the significant roles in your life. It represents a lifetime balance of personal, family, work, community-whatever roles you feel are yours to fill. Is written to inspire you-not to impress anyone else. It communicates to you and inspires you on the most essential level.

    "Creating a Personal Mission Statement will be, without question, one of the most powerful and significant things you will ever do to take leadership of you life. In it you will identify the most important roles, relationships, and things in your life - who you want to be, what you want to do, to whom and what you want of give your life, the principles you want to anchor your life to, the legacy you want to leave. All the goals and decisions you will make in the future will be based upon it. It's like deciding first which wall you want to lean your ladder of life against, and then beginning to climb. It will be a compass - a strong source of guidance amid the stormy seas and pressing, pulling currents of you life." Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

    A Personal Vision/Mission can help propel you into a new job, or make your present job work better for you. The more connected your Personal Vision/Mission is to yourself, the better it can guide your career and your life.

    About The Author

    Cecile Peterkin is a trained Career/Life Coach and speaker whose work centers primarily on middle managers and their various challenges. She also works with individuals who are ready to move forward, take action, achieve goals and experience overall life improvement, both in personal and in career.

    Cosmic Coaching Centre

    www.cosmiccoachingcentre.com

    416-486-5000

    cecile@cosmiccoachingcentre.com

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    When You See Money as a Tool in Your Goal Setting Process, You Will Lead a More Balanced Life

    Where Does Money Fit In the Goal Setting Process?Some view... Read More

    4 Steps to Inspired Goal Setting

    At the beginning of the year, there's often an orgy... Read More

    The Promise: The Key to the Successful Achievement of Your Goals

    Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to... Read More

    Share Your True Colors

    Don't you just love the leaves changing colors in the... Read More

    eaziGOAL Review: Practical Goal Setting Tools for Everyone

    I love the internet. I mean, anything at all you... Read More

    A Proper Mission Statement Can Drive Your Life Forward

    Most people measure us by our accomplishments -- what we've... Read More

    The Most Powerful Knowledge Available To Man

    In this article you will learn the most powerful knowledge... Read More

    7 MUST-HAVE Conditions To Goal Setting

    The three keys to living without limits have always been... Read More

    Success Is Knowing What You Want

    Many people ask me how they can be more successful.The... Read More

    Make Your Dreams Reachable

    All too often, we may be envisioning a level of... Read More

    Time for a Change

    As 2005 approaches, many of us are thinking about change.... Read More

    Goal Setting - A Valuable Lesson

    "Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is... Read More

    Ask yourself, So what?

    Neil Armstrong made his first moon walk on July 20,... Read More

    The Power of Why: Setting Intention-Oriented Goals

    Everyone ? particularly business coaches like me - talks about... Read More

    Six Keys To Build Vision - Point Two

    2. Recognize the source and purpose of vision· It's purpose... Read More

    Make This Your Most Productive Year Ever - 26 Tips

    Each year we start the year thinking about our goals,... Read More

    In Pursuance of Your Dream Career

    What do u wanna be when you grow up?" "... Read More

    Rebuilding Oneself: The Universes Basic Training

    I remember Air Force Basic Training. My Training Instructor not... Read More

    Is that W-A-L-R-U-S?

    A few years back, I went to London, England. I... Read More

    What Do You WANT? What Do You DESERVE?

    INTRODUCTIONThis article is used for discovering our needs from life,... Read More

    Making The Goal-Setting Process a Partnership

    MAKING GOALS: Effective and motivational goals engage employees in work... Read More

    Are Your Goals Exciting?

    This may sound like a strange question, but are you... Read More

    Setting Sail for Your Destination

    Whether taking on a new project, starting a new job,... Read More

    Action Achieves Goals - Talk Is Cheap

    It is very easy and a lot of fun to... Read More

    The Value of Focus in Reaching Your Goals

    "One aught never to turn one's back on a threatened... Read More

    19 Ultimate Success Tips for your Online Business

    1. Your first ultimate start must include written goals and... Read More

    Achieving Impossible Goals By Ignoring The Experts

    "If the world were to blow itself up the last... Read More

    The Influence of People Who Surround You

    It is known that the human body sends out vibrations:... Read More

    Get It Done-Or 3 Ways to Advance Your Goals

    1. WORK WITH THE END IN MIND- OR FOCUS ON... Read More

    Weave Your Own Web

    Many elementary school children know the miracle of Charlotte's Web.... Read More

    Pretend Interest and Apathy... What To Do About Them!

    According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary "apathy is defined as the following:... Read More

    Discipline is Essential for Self Improvement

    Most of us are regularly exposed to information offering get... Read More

    Thank You

    I wonder if anyone really reads long stuff from Ezines... Read More