When I do Executive Business Coaching I often help my clients create their company mission and vision statements. It is of equal importance to have a personal mission statement. As they say, you can't hit what you don't aim at! Creating a personal mission statement helps guide next steps, is a great decision making tool and it helps send a clear message to yourself and the world about who you are and what you want out of life.
Mahatma Gandhi's mission is written in a short list of "I shall" statements.
Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:
I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
I shall fear only God.
I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
I shall conquer untruth by truth.
And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.
Ben Franklin wrote a concise list of values.
Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
Martin Luther King Jr. started with the words, "I have a dream...".
To live a life of purpose think about what's most important to you, what you value, and how you express that in every day life. Let your mission statement be your guide. To give yourself clarity and focus write down your mission and live your life with a sense of purpose!
