Blueprint >> Mission Statement

Disclaimer: This document is in raw form as I process and distill 4 years-worth of my personal development notes. Expect some typos and cryptic language for now. I will be updating frequently and polishing up.

Prescription: Create a personal mission statement and review it every day.
Related Concepts: Journaling, Be Principle-Centered, Commonplace Book

What is a Mission Statement?

A one-page written document that lists your life purpose, top values, greatest strengths, major goals, and generally, any other principles that you want to live by.

Why is it Important?

To ground you, reconnect with your highest-self, and set your intentions for the day. Without a mission statement you are reacting to circumstances. With a mission statement you are defining your life.

Mission Statement Videos

Mission Statement: Key Points

Write out a personal mission statement and read it for 5 minutes every single morning. No exceptions. You need to build a habit of reading it, and keeping it fresh for yourself. The mission statement is what makes you principle-centered. It's you defining yourself, choosing what you want to be rather than letting things happen to you.

If you fail to review your mission statement every day without exception, that right there is the first sign that you are being controlled by your environment. That's backwards. You should be controlling your environment. Of course, it could be that you aren't bought into the idea that a mission statement is important, but then you have to make that argument. The fact is that a mission statement is a great way to ground yourself and take control back from the environment.

Mission statement format:

• Your general purpose in life (won't ever change)
• Your specific life purpose (what you're pursuing over the next few years)
• What you are mastering over the next 10 years
• Your top 10 values
• Your top 5 feelings
• Your top 5 strengths
• Your zones of genius
• Top goals for the year

The mission statement can be physical or electronic, doesn't matter. Electronic is nice because it's easy to edit and polish. You want to be tweaking your mission statement all the time.

References

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey