What's your Mission Statement (Personal or Professional)

Many organizations have Mission Statements.  They have these statements as a call to arms for the organization.  In order to get this statement put together, to simplify the intent and goal of the organization, there were many arguments and threats between executives or founders of a firm.  Why?  They wanted to be sure that the statement accurately reflected the vision that THEY had for the organization.  They wanted this statement to be the thing that they could use as a compass for the path the organization would take.  For many organizations it works.  For some, it is a cliche.  Let's not worry about those. IBM and APPLE have the most significant mission statements, and they can be summed up in one, or two words, literally.  "THINK" and "THINK DIFFERENT".


So, if you had to put one together for yourself, what would it be?  Many have worked on an elevator pitch, that little 15 to 30 second commercial that you can rhyme off at a moments notice.  But can you define your mission statement in life.  Let me make it simple, it does not change based on the employer.  If it does,  you need to seriously consider what your mission statement is, as it will help you define your true path.  A mission statement answers three questions:

1. What is my purpose (when I go to the office)?

2. How am I fulfilling that purpose?

3. What principles or beliefs (values) guide my work?

These three questions are pretty straightforward, but they are not easy to answer, honestly, at least.

Over the next few days, I will help by addressing each question individually.