Have you ever felt like you are giving your all for a nonprofit organization that you don’t align with? You are stressed and burnt out because you are no longer aligned with what you are doing.
That’s where a mission statement comes in.
In the nonprofit field, our mission drives everything we do and every decision we make. It helps us stay aligned with our purpose and values and ensure we are staying focused on how we want to serve our communities.
Similar to a nonprofit mission, you can create a personal mission statement that will act as a guidepost to stay on track with your goals. It helps you get crystal clear on who you are and what you want to achieve in life.
What Is A Personal Mission Statement?
Having a personal mission statement is a game-changer. It can help you define what matters most to you, including your core values and career goals. It identifies your purpose in life and what legacy you want to leave.
It makes decisions around your career easier because you will know if you are aligned with what you want to do in life. It can help decipher how you spend your time, how you show up and interact with others, and how you do your job. For example, if you interviewed for a job that does not align with your mission then you know it will not be a good fit.
3 Steps to Creating a Personal Mission Statement
A personal mission statement doesn’t take a lot of time to create. Truly consider what energizes you and excites you.
It can help you focus on how to meet your long-term goals and serves as a guidepost to the steps you take to achieve those goals.
Journal What’s Most Important To You
Start by writing what you value and who you want to be. What do the best version of yourself and your career look like? Write down what you envision your career to be and the steps you can take to get there. Write down who you know in your current network that aligns with your values.
Identify Your Short and Long-Term Goals
Now take some time to reflect on your personal and professional goals.
- Where do you see yourself in 1-2 years? Or 3-5 years?
- How do your goals help you create the future you envision?
- What skills and talents do you currently have to accomplish those goals?
Define Your Legacy
You are a nonprofit professional who understands the importance of leaving an impact on the world. Living your life according to your personal mission statement can help you work towards the legacy you want to leave. Here are some questions to consider:
- How do you envision the world being different when you leave it?
- What do you hope for that will create lasting change?
- Who do you want to serve with your unique gifts and talents?
- What do you consider to be your purpose or a higher calling?
Examples of Personal Mission Statements
Coming up with your own personal mission statement can be challenging. Here are some examples of personal mission statements to help inspire you:
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” — Habitat for Humanity
“To create content that educates, informs and inspires.” — Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
“To create a better everyday life for the many people.” – IKEA
“I want to serve the people. And I want every girl, every child to be educated” — Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Prize laureate and activist
“To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” — Oprah Winfrey
This is my personal mission statement: Empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.
Tips for Writing a Personal Mission Statement
Keep it short. Your personal mission statement shouldn’t be longer than 11 words. The purpose is to focus on what matters most to you.
Be authentic. Your mission statement should reflect your passion, dreams and purpose in life.
Get feedback. Share your mission statement with your closest colleagues or family members. They can provide insight into how you build on and achieve your mission statement. Accountability from those closest to you can also help keep you on track.
A mission statement can change as you grow and evolve. At the end of the day, it opens you to create the best life you want. You will find extreme satisfaction with living in alignment with your personal mission statement.
So take some time today and challenge yourself to write your own personal mission statement.
Leave a Comment