Discover how to write your personal life's mission statement today! This is LIFE CHANGING!
In business, we write mission statements to show consumers our heart and soul. A mission statement showcases our “why” and allows people to build a relationship with our brand. It brings employees together, it bonds us with our consumer, and it acts as a guiding light when we are tested or challenged.
When applying to college we write a “personal statement”, similar to a mission statement, but this time to connect the admissions department to our heart and soul and really showcase why we would better their campus.
In life, we are constantly asked to showcase our “why”:
– Why should you be considered?
– Why should we listen to you?
– Why should we want to connect with you and build a relationship?
I see so many people struggle to identify their “why” in life and put it into words.
HINT: You may feel confused about your “why” if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or like you are running in place without getting anywhere.
While in college, I was facing a lot of unknowns about my future, as a lot of us are. I felt overwhelmed, lost, and well…confused (no pun intended #TCMillennial for life!).
I remember talking with one of my teachers and she recommended I read the book “Man's Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. The book is about Frankl's experience during the Holocaust. Before the Holocaust began, he was a psychologist in Germany. When the Nazi's began to invade he and his family were separated. While he notes surviving the Holocaust was partly luck, he focuses the book on the quality he saw in survivors… the people who did not lose the will to live despite such atrocities; hence the title “Man's Search for Meaning.”
This book taught me to identify my why by really asking myself what drives me to get out of bed every morning? When things get tough, what keeps me focused and on track? When I feel like giving up, why do I choose to continue?
So I ask you: What drives you? What did you want to be when you grew up? What are your hopes and dreams and why are they your hopes and dreams? What activities are you engaged in that result in losing all track of time and feeling totally happy and fulfilled? When times are difficult what moves you forward?
Is it a feeling you get and what others to feel? Is it a product or service you can provide? Is it community and connection your crave?
Get into the nitty gritty of these questions, and then write your life's mission statement. It will guide you in tough times, in career transitions, in relationships that are no longer serving you, and so much more.
Whenever I feel overwhelmed or lost or confused, I need to remember my life's mission statement. My “Why”.
My purpose in life is to inspire others to tap into their inner strength during difficult times. To help others embrace and love themselves, and experience life fully and wholly without fear of judgment.
Heck, it relates totally to why I started The Confused Millennial and blog & business coaching. I want to help others with this confused and overwhelmed feeling. I want to engage in real conversations with real people. I want community.
What is your life's mission statement? Share it with us in the comments!
Ready to put your mission statement into action? Grab TCM's Goal Setting Guide!
This post has been updated from its original share on April 6th, 2016
This is great!! A life mission statement in a lot of ways is even more important than a business one. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Your welcome Faith! I couldn’t agree more! I feel like it helps you write your business mission statement too since it’s a little easier to not lose your voice in all of the noise out there. 🙂
This is wonderful. I will have to check out that book when I get some time – hopefully this summer. I have never really thought to create a life mission statement. Everyone always talks about a business mission statement… but not really a life statement. Something I’ll have to consider. Thank you!
Thank you Caitlyn! It’s a really short read! The first half is the actual book and the second half is about his therapy technique called Logotherapy. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I lOVE this! I wrote out a life mission statement over 10 years ago, and it continues to give me clarity and drive my purpose to this day. My life mission: to know and love God. To guide others to know and love God.
I loved reading this post! I’ll definitely have to check out the book you mentioned! It’s definitely important to figure out exactly what my mission is in life and implement that into my business mission!