Creating a Personal Mission Statement

Forbes recommends that each mission statement answer these questions:

1. What do we do?
2. How do we do it?
3. Whom do we do it for?
4. What value are we bringing?

In 2008 I wrote about creating a personal mission statement and came up with:

I live each day with a listening, happy heart that guides me in healthy actions. I meet new and old friends, share in conversation and build a loving, kind business. I write, talk, travel and play with intensity and bring the benefits home to those I love.

 

In 2010 I realized the above statement was waaayyy too long so I revised it to:

Write, talk, travel and play  – teaching others how to live into their own greatness.

Five years later I’m again thinking about my personal mission statement. I’m in a relatively new position that flows over into my personal life (which is ok with me).  I live in a new community.  I’m working on new personal goals as well.  But some things remain the same: love to write, travel and talk!  So let’s answer the questions above:

• What do I do?  I’m a Chamber director in a small Iowa town.  I’m a keynote speaker who talks about small towns.  I’m an author.  I’m a blogger.
• How do I do it?  I listen to people.  I connect people.  I share stories.
• Who do I do it for?  My community, other small town dreamers, myself.
• What value do I bring?  Connections to those who can help.  I help people build their own possibilities.

This year I’d adjust my mission statement to reflect more of what my readers/clients want to know about what I do.  I love to tell stories of what people are doing and assist the listener in finding connections that can help them.  I believe there is greatness in all of us and I hope to get people excited about finding their own possibilities.

My adjusted mission is:

To tell the stories of small towns and help build possibilities!