A Personal Mission Statement

A personal credo that states what your life is about

What does a Mission Statement look like?

It can be …– Short– Long– A poem– A song– A quote

Mission Statements

Xerox– Our strategic intent is to help people find better

ways to do great work -- by constantly leading in document technologies, products and services that improve our customers' work processes and business results.

Mission Statement

North Rose-Wolcott High School

Mission Statements

University of Rochester-Eastman School of Music– To give the student an intensive professional education in

his or her musical discipline.– To prepare each student with a solid foundation in music

and an expansive education in the liberal arts.– To develop an informed and inquiring mind that enables

each graduate to engage the fundamental issues of his or her art and to become an effective cultural leader in society.

– And, through its community and continuing education programs, to offer the highest quality music instruction and performance opportunities for students of all ages.

How to Develop Your Own Mission Statement

Method 1- The Quote Collection– Collect 1-5 of your very favorite quotes on one

sheet of paper. Combine them to create a mission Method 2- The Brain Dump

– Speed write about your mission for 15 minutes. Don’t edit or worry about what comes out. Get all of your ideas on paper then take another 15 minutes to edit, arrange and make sense of it all into a rough draft

How to Develop Your Own Mission Statement

Method 3-The Retreat Plan a large chunk of time where you can think deeply about your life and what you want to do with it. Take your time and construct your mission using any method you like

Method 4- The Big Lazy- If you are avoiding doing this JUST DO IT, don’t worry about what anyone will think about it

Once the mission is written

Remember it is a work is progress Put it somewhere so you can read it often Read at least 1x/day for 30 days so that it

becomes a Habit

Three Watch-Outs

Watch-out for roadblocks that can keep you from reaching the end you have in mind or from living your mission statement

Watch Out 1-Negative Labels– Don’t believe the negative labels, it will get you off

track

Three Watch-Outs

Watch Out 2- “It’s All Over Syndrome” If you make mistakes, do things you are not proud of, you’re normal. Just get back on track as quickly as possible and you’ll be ok

Watch Out 3- Wrong Wall- Even if you are moving in a forward direction is that direction really where you want to be? A small change in course can get you back on track

Setting Goals

Goals are more specific than mission statements. They are the way you can accomplish your mission

There are 5 keys to goal setting

Key No 1: Count the Cost

Recognize the amount of work/change you will need to accomplish the goal and re-adjust the goal to be more realistic

Exercise every day! Exercise 30 minutes/3x a week

Key No 2- Put It In Pen

“A goal not written down is only a wish”

– Write down your goal and review it often.– When it is written it seems to have more value

and has more power

Key No 3- Just Do It

Once you determine a goal you need to get the goal accomplished and not just try to do it, but be committed to its completion.

Those who are committed have more willpower, skill and creativity than they ever thought they would- Emerson

Key No 4-Use Momentous Moments

Choose a time in your life when a natural change can happen– A new school year– Graduation– A new day– A new week

Key No 5-Rope Up

Use others to help you accomplish your goals. It is much easier if you have help.

– Get someone to exercise with you

Remember

A mission is not a career A mission is a cause-how can I make a

difference Most people will not do great things, but you

can do small things in a great way