Most individual or corporate mission statements contain industry buzzwords, are so complex that no one can recite them, and do nothing to inspire. The more elaborate it is, the less likely it is understood and remembered. Having a clear and concise mission statement for yourself and your Company becomes your guiding compass as you journey through life.
1. Your mission is larger than a job.
Ideally your job will align with your mission. For example, you could be employed as a teacher while your mission is education. To limit your personality and unique abilities to such boundaries causes a profound loss of identity when your job or career changes. The average person can expect to have seven employment changes in a lifetime.
2. Your mission is much more than your role.
We all have various roles we fulfill: spouse, parent, manager, friend...In our culture, men tend to define themselves by what they do professionally. Often, women define themselves by their roles or relationships. Linking your role to your mission places you in a vulnerable position because your role is likely to change--most notably through death or divorce. Who were you before your roles?
3. Your mission is not your To-Do List.
As Stephen Covey so masterfully points out in First Things First, there is a huge distinction between what is important and what is urgent. Most people fill their to-do lists with activities which appear to require immediate attention. When writing your mission statement, contemplate the big picture and focus on your core values. Develop your mission first, then list corresponding goals. Otherwise, you can be very busy following a to-do list without creating anything worthwhile.
4. You are already living your mission on some level.
Living your mission may not require massive changes. You can begin right where you are now. Increase your awareness daily of what's really important to you. What do you want to be known for? Increased focus allows you to receive, recognize and fully integrate your mission.
5. You are born with a purpose.
Everyone's life is important enough to warrent a mission. In the classic movie: It's a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Stewart portrays a suicidal businessman who experiences what the lives of his friends and loved ones would be like WITHOUT him. Mostly, we don't have this overview or the understanding of how interconnected we are. Every thought we have, word we speak and action we take affects the entire universe.
6. Your mission may not appear to be grand.
You don't have to be another Mother Theresa or significantly contribute to the Gross National Product. You've heard the saying: For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; for want of a horse, the battle was lost. The blacksmith responsible for Paul Revere's horse's feet indirectly helped lead a nation to freedom. Positively affect one life and you can be considered successful.
7. Your mission is a perfect fit for you.
Your mission is not something you loathe doing. Years ago, I feared God would want me to be a missionary living in a grass hut and I wanted to postpone this event as long as possible. It was irrational. Think of this: what CEO in his/her right mind would have the sales team switch to accounting? When you are living your mission, you experience pure joy. It is not hard and does not involve suffering. Rather, it resonates with the essence of who you are 100%: at work, at home, at a party and alone. Accept a mission that fits you, not the needs or expectations of others.
8. Your mission is not the same as that of your peers.
While crafting your mission statement, temporarily disassociate yourself from your peers. We are often influenced by and take as our own the values and goals of those in our network, thus inhibiting self-discovery. This distancing will allow you to concentrate on what is important and unique to you.
9. Your mission is your true heart's desire.
You may be in a career that parallels your dream. I'd like to have a dollar for every magazine editor, advertising copywriter or reporter whose real dream is to be a full-time novelist. Go for the REAL THING. Ask yourself: Is this the highest thing I could do in my life?
10. Your mission inspires you to take action.
Great leaders can state their mission succinctly. Nelson Mandela's mission was to end apartheid; Mother Theresa 's mission is to show compassion to the dying. If you don't feel passionate about your mission, it isn't your mission. Choose action verbs that are meaningful to you. For example, my mission is to breathe, ignite and magnify personal power. Join the 1% of the people in the world who have a clear sense of who they are and where they are going.
Senin, 07 April 2008
WAYS TO IDENTIFY YOUR VISION
'Having a Vision' sounds like such a big or impressive thing, doesn't it? But this Top 10 List is designed to explain what a vision is, how it works, how easy it is to find one and what do with it once you do see it. Microsoft's vision is a very clear one: "A computer on every desk and in every home, all running Microsoft software." (I'm paraphrasing a bit.)
1. Be clued in to the trends which are affecting society and business and you.
A vision is, in one way, about the future. Yet, a vision is even more about the present; it's about what is happening TODAY. In fact, I'd even say that the clearest/best visions ARE now-based. Meaning that you simply identify or recognize a current condition, trend or event and then EXTRAPOLATE from there....If you notice society making progress in one area and you can determine that the forces behind the progress will likely continue, then you can pretty easily 'see' the vision of the progress continuing until it is universal or has reached the point of being finished. (Look at Microsoft's vision in the introduction area above and you'll see what I mean. They ARE extrapolating, but can back it up with data.)
2. Know several visionary types, personally.
It's one thing to have a vision; it's another to be a visionary. A visionary usually can see a number of things/visions, not just one. As you spend time with folks like this, their 'skills' and abstract thinking will improve your own; and your vision.
3. Identify a current trend and extrapolate it into a vision.
What is a current trend you see in your field of work, or in life itself? Computers are a trend. So is the Internet. How about retailing? What's the underlying trend there? Education? Once you've picked an area and identified a trend, ask yourself, "Hmmm, if this trend continues for the next 50 years, what will be TRUE for this industry/situation/product/market/population?" For example, if trends continue regarding the Internet, 80-95% of American homes WILL eventually be connected to the Internet in some manner (PCs, NCs, WebTV), just as 90%+ of American homes have phones now (compared to a much lower number earlier this century). So, given this 80-95% Internet penetration factor, what's one of the more obvious visions regarding the Internet and people? The end of ignorance? An explosion of creativity? The end of education as we know it? The fun thing about this process is that your vision doesn't have to be accurate - a vision is not a prediction nor a promise. It's just what you see, given what you see.
4. Give up chasing a vision.
Having a vision has become a sexy thing, meaning that people think it's important to have one. And it is. But a vision is usually best as something that you discover as you live your life or engage in your work, instead of something you are straining your eyes to see. You can't acquire a vision. However, you can notice what's already occurring around you and extrapolate THAT into a vision.
5. Drop the whole notion of life purpose, primary meaning, commitment, and mission.
One can create a case for the value of having a clearly articulated life purpose, meaning, commitments or mission, and I have to admit, each of these has value. However, these are not necessary. They can even get in the way. Because they are all future-based/future-outcome type things. They are what I call manufactured realities or futures. They are renditions or are created from a need to feel more secure in who a person is. They are generally trappings. As someone I respect said: "Thomas, your life purpose is just to be great. Give up the other stuff and just be yourself. That's plenty."
6. Use goals as a way of keeping your vision clear and available.
A vision that I have is that everyone will have the phrasing (definition: vocabulary plus awareness) to get what they want. To me, this is so obvious, it's boring. Meaning that I clearly see the world already progressing in this direction. It WILL happen universally at some point, even if we're only 1% of the way there currently. I don't even have to have faith in the vision; it's just an obvious extrapolation. However, it is fun to identify projects that will accelerate the vision, just as Microsoft comes up with new operating systems and applications and reasons for people to have a computer at work and at home.
7. Adjust your life so that you're inspired by your vision instead of empowered by it.
This point is a little tricky. Empowerment, generally a good thing, is not a good thing in this area of vision. Because that would mean that your empowerment is dependent on your vision's development. I'd rather reduce the stress of the vision by being content about it and feeling inspired by it from time to time. I get my empowerment from people, not projects. Big difference.
8. Let your vision evolve by your development and awareness.
I only focus on my vision every couple of months. I kind of 'check in' with it and with what I'm working on. I don't have to check in any more often than this, because the vision is so clear for me that it already guides my actions and orients my projects. The projects or ideas which come to me have already been 'filtered' by the clarity of the vision. I'm probably not going to have ideas that are not directly related to the vision being realized. So, I am free to chill out, be myself, grow, enjoy, learn and develop myself, without having to constantly check in and consciously measure myself against the vision. Which brings us to point #9.
9. Don't confuse self-identity with your vision.
There is ME and then there is my VISION. There is YOU and then there is your VISION. You know the two have crashed into each other when your vision becomes a CAUSE and you start basing your life, self-esteem, success or identity on the progression or success of your vision. It's not pretty. In these cases, the vision has become a need and it messes people up.
10. Let your vision evolve naturally.
In other words, don't get fixated about your (single) vision. Let it evolve and grow; it needs to, given you're changing as well. Have it be your friend, not your reason for being
1. Be clued in to the trends which are affecting society and business and you.
A vision is, in one way, about the future. Yet, a vision is even more about the present; it's about what is happening TODAY. In fact, I'd even say that the clearest/best visions ARE now-based. Meaning that you simply identify or recognize a current condition, trend or event and then EXTRAPOLATE from there....If you notice society making progress in one area and you can determine that the forces behind the progress will likely continue, then you can pretty easily 'see' the vision of the progress continuing until it is universal or has reached the point of being finished. (Look at Microsoft's vision in the introduction area above and you'll see what I mean. They ARE extrapolating, but can back it up with data.)
2. Know several visionary types, personally.
It's one thing to have a vision; it's another to be a visionary. A visionary usually can see a number of things/visions, not just one. As you spend time with folks like this, their 'skills' and abstract thinking will improve your own; and your vision.
3. Identify a current trend and extrapolate it into a vision.
What is a current trend you see in your field of work, or in life itself? Computers are a trend. So is the Internet. How about retailing? What's the underlying trend there? Education? Once you've picked an area and identified a trend, ask yourself, "Hmmm, if this trend continues for the next 50 years, what will be TRUE for this industry/situation/product/market/population?" For example, if trends continue regarding the Internet, 80-95% of American homes WILL eventually be connected to the Internet in some manner (PCs, NCs, WebTV), just as 90%+ of American homes have phones now (compared to a much lower number earlier this century). So, given this 80-95% Internet penetration factor, what's one of the more obvious visions regarding the Internet and people? The end of ignorance? An explosion of creativity? The end of education as we know it? The fun thing about this process is that your vision doesn't have to be accurate - a vision is not a prediction nor a promise. It's just what you see, given what you see.
4. Give up chasing a vision.
Having a vision has become a sexy thing, meaning that people think it's important to have one. And it is. But a vision is usually best as something that you discover as you live your life or engage in your work, instead of something you are straining your eyes to see. You can't acquire a vision. However, you can notice what's already occurring around you and extrapolate THAT into a vision.
5. Drop the whole notion of life purpose, primary meaning, commitment, and mission.
One can create a case for the value of having a clearly articulated life purpose, meaning, commitments or mission, and I have to admit, each of these has value. However, these are not necessary. They can even get in the way. Because they are all future-based/future-outcome type things. They are what I call manufactured realities or futures. They are renditions or are created from a need to feel more secure in who a person is. They are generally trappings. As someone I respect said: "Thomas, your life purpose is just to be great. Give up the other stuff and just be yourself. That's plenty."
6. Use goals as a way of keeping your vision clear and available.
A vision that I have is that everyone will have the phrasing (definition: vocabulary plus awareness) to get what they want. To me, this is so obvious, it's boring. Meaning that I clearly see the world already progressing in this direction. It WILL happen universally at some point, even if we're only 1% of the way there currently. I don't even have to have faith in the vision; it's just an obvious extrapolation. However, it is fun to identify projects that will accelerate the vision, just as Microsoft comes up with new operating systems and applications and reasons for people to have a computer at work and at home.
7. Adjust your life so that you're inspired by your vision instead of empowered by it.
This point is a little tricky. Empowerment, generally a good thing, is not a good thing in this area of vision. Because that would mean that your empowerment is dependent on your vision's development. I'd rather reduce the stress of the vision by being content about it and feeling inspired by it from time to time. I get my empowerment from people, not projects. Big difference.
8. Let your vision evolve by your development and awareness.
I only focus on my vision every couple of months. I kind of 'check in' with it and with what I'm working on. I don't have to check in any more often than this, because the vision is so clear for me that it already guides my actions and orients my projects. The projects or ideas which come to me have already been 'filtered' by the clarity of the vision. I'm probably not going to have ideas that are not directly related to the vision being realized. So, I am free to chill out, be myself, grow, enjoy, learn and develop myself, without having to constantly check in and consciously measure myself against the vision. Which brings us to point #9.
9. Don't confuse self-identity with your vision.
There is ME and then there is my VISION. There is YOU and then there is your VISION. You know the two have crashed into each other when your vision becomes a CAUSE and you start basing your life, self-esteem, success or identity on the progression or success of your vision. It's not pretty. In these cases, the vision has become a need and it messes people up.
10. Let your vision evolve naturally.
In other words, don't get fixated about your (single) vision. Let it evolve and grow; it needs to, given you're changing as well. Have it be your friend, not your reason for being
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