Finding a Mission Statement for Yourself
If you’ve ever worked for a corporation, you’re probably at least somewhat familiar with the idea of a mission statement. A mission statement is a piece of business jargon that companies use to describe a statement they create that identifies their overarching goal or purpose. But you can also write a mission statement for yourself. It’s a concept from the world of business that can actually help you focus and better articulate your values. It can give you a kind of bedrock to come back to when you feel unsure of yourself and your place in the world. The tips below can help you craft one for yourself.
Getting Started
Don’t be discouraged if you’re struggling to get started. The process of writing a mission statement for a company usually involves a few brainstorming sessions, meetings, and tweaks before they get one that works, and there’s no reason to assume it will necessarily be simpler for you although fortunately you don’t have to try to get it past a committee first. When you are trying to live more intentionally it can be a layered process. To begin with, make a list of some of the values that are most important to you. This can be an interesting exercise since you may see a discrepancy between the things you are spending your time on and the things that are genuinely important to you. Next, think about your goals. What do you want to achieve, and what values underpin that desire?
Changing Your Life
A profound thing can happen when you write your mission statement. You may see much more clearly how you want to change your life. This can be a small change, such as starting to volunteer at something a few times a week. It could be a big change, such as going back to school to get a new degree and start a new career. The big changes can be daunting, and you might encounter obstacles along the way. Maybe you aren’t sure how you will pay for school. One way to do this is through Going Merry college scholarships. You can set up a profile and see if there are options that are just right for you.
Your Statement Can Change
Another thing to be aware of is that your statement may change over time, either as you navigate life transitions and become different as a person, or as your circumstances change. If you have young children, your statement may be very focused on your family. At some point in your life, you may go from being very career oriented to having a different kind of motivation. The idea behind this exercise is not to create something that you are required to stick to forever whether it suits you or not but to find clarity. Think of your statement as a kind of living document, something that you return to and meditate on from time to time to see whether it still suits you. When it begins to seem like something you can no longer relate to, go through the process again of creating and refining a new one.