Have you ever thought about writing your own mission statement?
The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”― Mark Twain.
Do you know your reason for being in this life? I’m not talking about just doing something you love, or finding your passion. But do you know why you love – or hate – doing something? What if I told you that if you figured out your own mission statement, it would go a long way in helping you to understand yourself better? It could answer questions about why some things you do will never quite work out and others will seem almost effortless.
The exercise of writing out my true purpose
In the summer of 2015, I was looking at an article online about “finding your true purpose” and decided to try the exercise. What did I have to lose? I already knew that I had a penchant for teaching, and a need to be creative. At that point, however, I really had no idea how that was supposed to translate to my life. I opened up my online journal and began to write.
What I didn’t realize was that in writing out my purpose, I’d figured out my mission statement. Everything I did after that – jobs, hobbies, even relationships – would be held up against this proclamation. Even now I make decisions with my mission statement in mind and I’m here to tell you, those decisions have never been wrong.
How to figure out your mission
Figuring out your mission statement isn’t that difficult. You take out a piece of paper or open a blank document on your computer, and set aside 20 minutes to an hour. At the top you write, “what is my purpose?” You begin writing statements – one per line – that describes what you think your purpose is. The first few statements will be generic. They will reflect what’s in your conscious mind.
It’s after ten or fifteen of them when it starts to get more interesting. You have to push through the resistance you start to feel and allow yourself to write whatever comes to mind – this allows your subconscious to take over. You keep doing this until you have squeezed every possibility out of your brain. How do you know when you’re finished? It will be the statement that stops you in your tracks. The one that pushes adrenalin through your system, or makes your eyes leak with tears of discovery.
The photo above is a screenshot of the exercise from when I did it in 2015. You can see I’d written at the top, “What is my purpose in life?”
You can see all the lines of statements, and how the first few look pretty short and “generic”. But I pushed on – even if the statements seemed…silly, trite, not so good, even lame.
By the time I’d reached #81, I still hadn’t felt much emotion. If anything, my brain was experiencing some serious fatigue. But by the upper 80s, I knew I was getting closer. My statements started looking more eloquent, inclusive of more ideas, and heart-felt. My subconscious was working overtime.
But then I got to #97:
To live life with a sense of wonder, always seeking understanding, expressing it creatively, fostering communication, hope and love, and helping others to see their own light.
My mission statement
That statement was the gamechanger. I felt my face burn and noticed my trembling hands. Tears welled in my eyes, and I couldn’t type any more. Once I wrote that statement down, everything that I had done in my life began to make sense, as if suddenly coming into focus after being blurry for decades. It’s why, when I worked at a ski area, I couldn’t stay longer than two years. How was I helping others to see their own light? Where was the creativity? It’s why I thought classroom teaching was my calling…until my mission statement pushed me to delve deeper. It’s why I decided to share meditation with others. My students go within and discover their light. It’s also why I also do website design. I can take the vision of others, express it creatively, and foster communication. It’s why, when I travel, I make it a point to visit sacred places and later write about those profound experiences.
The decisions I make
All these years later, my decisions about what to do with my life still are tied to my mission statement. I will confidently teach a class, take on a job, or do another activity if I know it will cultivate a sense of wonder. If I can also use my gift of creativity, and maybe spread a little love, then it’s even better. If I can also show others that they, too, have an inner light the world needs to see, then I am really in sync with my purpose and mission. I was born on a spring day in May, but August 5, 2015 was the day I figured out why.
Now it’s your turn
Do you have a mission statement? I challenge you to write one and perhaps even share it – if you’re willing – in the comments. If you do have a mission statement, has it helped you? Can you see the value in it? If you don’t have one, are you going to create one now?
In a future post, I’ll write about how it’s also important to know your values. Knowing these also can help you to base decisions you make on what’s most important to you and feel good about them.
Aw, Cyndi, you my friend never cease to amaze me and honestly I love the process you endeavored above to come to your final mission statement. Truly awe inspiring and can’t thank you enough for sharing here with all of us. I need to give this a try when I have some quiet time here, as well. Thanks so much for the push to do so. Hugs and wishing you a wonderful week ahead now <3
Sweet Janine,
Thank you. Happy Monday. Great to see you and sending you BIG HUGS@ 🤗 I hope you’re having a great start to your week! Thank you for YOUR inspiring words. I always love your positive energy and sweet support. It means so much to me. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, too! 😍
I might give this a try, Lil Sis. I seems like an interesting and beneficial exercise. Thanks for the suggestion. I hope you are well and happy. Sending hugs from the Pacific Northwest!
Big Bro, you know what!? I can see you doing this AND coming up with an idea for one of your novels. Hehe. I can see it now…in big bold letters. Something like, “The Mission of Roskolnikov.” Haha (Just based on the other mysteries/crime novels I’ve read of yours). I hope you have a great week, my friend. Sending hugs to you! 🤗
Hi Cynthia
Thanks for all the tips on your method, a great sound approach to looking deep within. I started a project a while back on Scrivener that has certainly brought out some ideas. It consists I suppose of writing my own biography of sorts.
As you are aware I lost my muse and the result is a long hard dry spell. This project has allowed me to refocus on looking deep within and asking myself some tough questions and yes they are at times challenging. Maybe along the way you become a better person, more caring and utilizing the gifts you have been given.
Great start to the New Year for you my dear friend… well done.
Hey there, Rolly,
I hope you’re well! I can see you doing this – it might give you some inspiration on writing. Ooh, AND I found this book on Kindle called “Endless Ideas” – I got it because I wanted to generate ideas for a potential visionary fiction book, but also it carries over to everything: marketing ideas, ideas for drawing, teaching, retreats…it’s ideas galore! 🙂 I had Scrivener and liked it but then I upgraded my computer and my version of Scrivener didn’t…so I’m holding off until I decide to write a book. Hehe.
I am looking forward to hearing more about your project. Those tough questions are pursuing. Sometimes you find a life-changing answer. I *do* think along the way you become a better person all around.
I hope you’ve stayed warm and had a great start to your 2020! Sending hugs and blessings your way, my friend. 🤗🤗🤗
Dear Cynthia,
Your email last week shows that this has been a time of generativity and growth for you.
This post is screaming at me … in the best of ways! I have never given thought to a personal mission statement:
1- Hospitals/health agencies have mission statements.
2- Nurses (and nursing students) are encouraged to have a Nursing Philosophy.
As with everything, this will take a block of meditative time. This post, and you, are a keeper.
Have a peaceful week. Love and hugs, Maria
Dear sweet Mar,
You’re absolutely right: sometimes in a time of rest, even if it’s partial, can be so important for rejuvenation. It has taught me that I need to regularly schedule this sort of time into my life. It had been so long since I just allowed myself to “be” that I really needed to not blog for awhile. It was quite healing. 🙂
As for the mission statement, this is a powerful thing to do. Yes – businesses, non-profits and other entities have a mission statement – a reason why they exist and then operate in tandem with it. It makes sense to have a statement that explains our why and then we can make decisions in alignment with it. 🙂 It will take some time to do, yes, but it will be time well-spent. And powerful! Thank you, dear friend, for your kind words. YOU are a keeper as well! Have a wonderful weekend and upcoming week! 😘 🤗
I felt your emotional progress as your heart connected to what it is YOU are and what you are about Cynthia… I got a lump in my own throat when you felt the salt tears in your own eyes welling up…
Numbered Choices each spoke to my my friend… They open up our hearts to WHY we are Here…. Not only to help others see, but in opening up our hearts.. WE then SEE….
I wrote a poem last night Cynthia… based on a comment I left someone the day before… I found my self writing in a sentence BLENDING to BE… and the words just Jumped out back at me and the thought came.. I need to write a poem about Blending to BE…
Last night I awoke after a couple of hours sleep, and the clock face was 1:11… Haha… yes our sacred numbers always jump up to speak… So I grabbed my bedside journal which is always at the ready and so a poem was born…
It’s wonderful how synchronicity works too, for I had created a Mandala of colours with a BEE at the centre a few weeks ago in watercolour… And both will marry up nicely in the future…
Take your time to BE also my friend… I am delighted you are newly discovering Who you are….
Expect an email sometime later today my friend…. Long may you keep sharing your Mission with us all here, and spreading your love and light where ever you go dear Cynthia..
Much love my special friend…
Sue <3
Sweet Sue – thank you – so much – for reading this heartfelt post. All those numbers…they each had a purpose in getting me to the right one. The one that felt truly like me. I can’t wait to read your poem. The timing of it, I know, is in alignment with your beautiful soul and self. The poem and mandala…I am sure they are beautifully intertwined.
Yes, time to BE…this morning (and early afternoon) I can say I haven’t done much: sat here and eeked out a journal entry and worked in my ideas journal for awhile, too. I’ve sipped a couple cups of tea and I am prone to chastising myself for moving slowly and not being productive. But then I realize that this is right where I’m supposed to be in this moment and accept it for what it is. It brings a smile to my face. Sending myself – and you – a little metta. Thank you for your email. I have read it and I’m crafting a response in my head that will be equal to the powerful one you sent to me. I am deeply grateful. You are such a special soul, my friend. A special soul indeed. 💜💜💜
Much love to you!! -C
You are welcome dear Cynthia, and I will look forward to the return email. No rush,
There isn’t a rush in me this week,😏
We are all recovering from being battered by a huge storm with very high winds which caused quite a bit if damage up and down the country. It was quite intense for over twelve hours.
Hubby has gone this morning to check on sheds and greenhouse, neighbours have had fences down and trees have fallen. We are lucky no damage. While others have flooded yet again.
Have a beautiful week, and will look forward to your reply. 💕😘🙏