Writing Your Personal Vision/Mission StatementWritten by Cecile Petekrin
I recently spent some time revising my personal vision/mission statement for my coaching practice. While doing this, it occurred to me that vision I have for my work is closely related to my personal vision. Having a job that reflects my personal vision is powerful because it has allowed me to create a business life for myself that truly reflects who I am. Companies know all about vision and mission statements and getting their employees on board. Vision and mission statements propel company in direction that they want, and ultimately towards success. Many of us have spent countless hours working on these statements for our employers, and doing our part to contribute to their vision as a part of team. Much like a business, we, as human beings have a purpose or mission in life. What if we spent as much time getting to know who we are and what we want for ourselves? A personal vision/mission statement is framework for creating a powerful life. Unlike a goal, a vision or mission rarely changes. It is a reason for our existence. It guides us in decisions we make and directions we take. Your Personal Vision Close your eyes and picture yourself in future. It may be a few months or years from today. See person you are; what you are doing, who you are with, what you have accomplished, what is important to you, and how people relate to you. How does it feel to be you? Feel person you are, your true self. Now, open your eyes and see your life and yourself in present, through those eyes. You will begin to notice changes you need to make to honour this vision and lead a powerful life. A Personal Vision is a picture of your True Self in future. An effective personal vision includes all important elements of your life and career; it is who you want to be, what you want to do, how you want to feel, what you want to own, and who you want to associate with. Although your personal vision helps you to see into future, it must be grounded in present. It is a statement of who you are, and who you are becoming. It is framework for process of creating your life. Your vision is where you are headed, how you get there is your mission statement. Your Personal Mission Statement A Personal Mission Statement is how you will manifest your Personal Vision in your daily life. It may be a few words or several pages, but it is not a “to do” list. It reflects your uniqueness and must speak to you powerfully about person you are and person you are becoming. Remember, it’s okay to be where you are, while heading somewhere else. In fact, only place you can start, is where you are right now. Having a personal vision does not mean your life changes overnight. But it will change. Your personal mission statement provides steps to get you there. Your Personal Mission Statement should answer three questions:
| | Personal Operating PrinciplesWritten by Louise Morganti Kaelin
Many years ago, inspired by Steven Covey's '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' I created a personal mission statement. In order to fulfill that mission, I also developed a set of 'Operating Principles'. I think of these operating principles as yardsticks by which I know how closely I am living that mission. Although these are very personal, I choose to share them hoping to inspire you to develop your own. 1. I RECOGNIZE GOD IN EVERYONE. I unconditionally love and accept others, and in so doing I unconditionally love and accept God and myself. I respect, without judgment or reservation, beliefs and decisions of others as well as their right to those beliefs and decisions. 2. I WALK WHAT I TALK. All of my actions are in harmony with my innermost beliefs and values. I keep all commitments I make to myself and others. 3. I SEEK EXCELLENCE IN ALL I DO. I approach every aspect of my life with sincere desire to do very best I can, using appropriate combination of skills, talents and resources to produce superior results. 4. I INSPIRE THROUGH EXAMPLE. I use all of love, talent and wisdom within me to maximize my potential and to experience life as a rich tapestry, full of love, joy, wonder, abundance and mystery. 5. I EMPOWER THROUGH LOVE. I use all love, talent and wisdom within me to serve others by helping them uncover wisdom, strength and power within themselves. I give each person what they need in whatever form they are most comfortable receiving it. I am able to impact every-larger groups of people while maintaining time and space for me. 6. I ALONE AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY LIFE. I gracefully accept responsibility for everything present in my life today and graciously claim power to create everything in my life tomorrow. I employ my imagination, conscience, independent will and self-awareness to create a joyful, harmonious and integrated life. I recognize my greatest power as being freedom to choose, in every situation. I consciously, proactively determine best alternative and most appropriate response, basing my decisions on conscience educated by principles.
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