Mission and Vision Statements
Writing Your Personal Vision/Mission
Statement
By
Cecile Peterkin
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
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