On A Mission

The mission statement. Almost every company has one. A mission statement allows a company to define itself to the public and state it's overall goal and a broad synopsis of it's strategy in achieving that goal. Just this week a friend of mine was speaking to me about her personal mission statement. It is important that you know your company's mission statement, but you should also have a personal mission statement as well, so that you can stay grounded and focused on what you hope to accomplish in your role and in your future.

A mission statement can help you better understand if your values and goals are in line with that of your employer. Simply put, it can be a compass to help you determine where you are and where you want to be. Remember that movie, Jerry Maguire? It was his mission statement that led him on a different path to realizing his professional and personal success.

Recently, I attended a development conference where Susan Taylor, formerly of Essence Magazine, was the keynote speaker. As always, she was inspiring in her delivery and encouraged the audience to develop a plan of action, to reach out and help others and enjoy the journey. A mission statement is one of the best ways to begin charting your path. In her book, All About Love, Ms. Taylor writes under the section titled, Mission Possible:

"Fill your mind with positive thoughts about yourself and your goals, and make realistic plans to take you from here to there. Know why you're working where you are: to gain a skill, to earn money to invest in yourself, to educate your children, to buy a home, to lay the foundation for your own venture--or simply because you love the work. Every thought and move related to your career should be focused in the direction of your dreams."

That is just the beginning. You want your statement to include the details of what you hope to accomplish as you move toward your larger goal Your mission can and should include how you want to perform in your role. But remember, a mission statement doesn't have to be long, so don't get discouraged about the length or lack thereof. Familiarize yourself with your mission and refine it as you move along in your career.

Creating a personal mission statement is your opportunity to become really clear about who you are, what you want and to design a plan of action.