Your Life's Compass: Creating a Powerful Personal Mission Statement

Have you ever felt like you're drifting through life, marking time until you can retire and do what you really want? It doesn’t have to be that way.

I've been deeply involved in corporate strategic planning for more than 25 years. I've participated in countless boardroom sessions and guided companies through the process of crafting their mission statements. It was always an intense, transformative experience for these organizations.

But a few years ago, as I was preparing for yet another strategic planning session, something hit me like a ton of bricks: Why don't we apply this same powerful process to our personal lives?

I realized I'd spent more than two decades helping companies find their "why," but I'd never truly defined my own.

Sure, I was successful by most standards—running a profitable company, climbing the corporate ladder—but something was missing. Despite all the external success, I felt adrift, unsure of my true purpose.

That's when it dawned on me: What would having a personal mission statement make possible for me? Could it provide the same clarity and direction for my life that it did for the companies I advised?

Research supports the importance of having a clear sense of purpose. A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with a sense of purpose in life live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Another study showed that having a sense of purpose is associated with greater emotional stability.

This realization led me on a journey of self-discovery that transformed my life and work. Today, I want to share with you the power of creating your own personal mission statement.

Why Do You Need a Mission Statement?

Before we dive into how, let’s discuss why. Here are three compelling reasons:

1. Clarity: A mission statement brings clarity to your life's purpose. It helps you understand what truly matters to you and what you want to achieve.

2. Focus: With a clear mission, you can more easily prioritize your time and energy. It becomes easier to say "no" to things that don't align with your mission and "yes" to those that do.

3. Motivation: On tough days when you feel like giving up, your mission statement reminds you of your greater purpose. It can be a powerful source of intrinsic motivation.

These benefits are not just anecdotal. Another study found that individuals with a strong sense of purpose showed greater resilience and persistence.

What Does a Well-Crafted Mission Statement Look Like?

In our LifeFocus program, we teach a simple yet powerful framework for developing a personal mission statement. It consists of three key elements:

1. Roles: Who are you in relation to others?

2. Impact: What difference do you want to make in the world?

3. Activities: How will you make that difference?

Let me share my own mission statement as an example:

This mission statement serves as my north star. It informs my decisions, guides my actions, and gives me a sense of purpose even in the mundane tasks of daily life.

How Do You Create a Mission Statement?

Now, you might be wondering, "How do I create my own mission statement?" Here's a simple process to get you started:

1. Reflect on Your Roles: List the key roles you play in life (e.g., parent, professional, community member, etc.).

2. Envision Your Impact: Think about the difference you want to make in each of these roles. What legacy do you want to leave?

3. Identify Your Activities: How will you make this impact? What specific actions or approaches will you take?

4. Draft Your Statement: Using the three-part framework (Roles, Impact, Activities), write out your mission statement. Don't worry about perfection – this is a living document that can evolve over time.

5. Refine and Internalize: Review your statement regularly. Does it resonate with you? Does it inspire you? Refine it until it feels truly authentic and motivating.

Remember, a personal mission statement isn't set in stone. As you grow and your circumstances change, your mission may evolve too. The key is to have a clear sense of purpose that guides your decisions and actions.

Creating a personal mission statement might seem daunting at first, but I assure you, the clarity and purpose it brings to your life is well worth the effort. It's not about crafting the perfect sentence–it's about defining the purpose that will drive your life forward.

So, I challenge you: take some time this week to draft your personal mission statement. You might be surprised at how this simple exercise can transform your perspective and set you on a path to a more purposeful, fulfilling life.

After all, life's too short to live without purpose. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to define that purpose for yourself.

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The Workbench

This week, I want to spotlight a powerful tool that can help you understand your natural talents and how they align with your mission: The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni, along with his Working Genius Assessment.

Lencioni's model identifies six types of "genius" that are necessary for any work to be accomplished effectively: Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity. Each of us naturally excels in two areas (our "Working Geniuses"), is competent but not energized by two others (our "Working Competencies"), and struggles with the remaining two (our "Working Frustrations").

I recently took the assessment, and it was eye-opening. My Working Geniuses are Invention and Galvanizing, which explains why I thrive on creating new ideas and rallying people around a vision. This insight has been invaluable in shaping how I approach my work and live out my mission.

Understanding your Working Genius can help you:

• Align your activities with your natural talents

• Communicate more effectively about your strengths

• Build more balanced and effective teams

• Reduce workplace stress and increase job satisfaction

I highly recommend reading Lencioni's book for a deeper dive into this concept. Even better, take the Working Genius Assessment yourself. It's a small investment that could yield significant returns in your career satisfaction and effectiveness.

Understanding your Working Genius can be a powerful complement to your personal mission statement, helping you live out your purpose in a way that leverages your natural strengths.

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In pursuit of the Double Win,

Michael Hyatt
Founder & Chairman
Full Focus

P.S. I’ve just opened up a new spot in my private coaching program! If you’re ready to make a breakthrough in both your professional and personal life, this is your chance to work directly with me, one-on-one, to achieve the Double Win. I only have one spot available, so I know it will go fast. Get the details and apply here.