Do you have a personal mission statement? Working with churches and other organizations for more than two decades on writing mission statements, core values and other items for determining and focusing on purpose, I am convinced that a mission statement is good for individuals as well. I wrote my personal mission statement several years ago.
A mission statement can be a great assist in keeping focus on your purpose. A well written Mission statement can bring clarity to your life and to your God-given purpose. You were created by God with a specific purpose in mind. God desires you to live the abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
God is a lover of the souls of men and He desires a personal relationship with you so you can live out your God-designed purpose to live that abundant life. Jesus also told us the primary purpose of all men in Matthew 22:37and 39; “ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
While this is our overarching purpose, God has designed each one of us with a particular means of accomplishing this overarching purpose. This is your individual God-given purpose.
Writing a personal mission statement can help you define goals for your life, determine your core values, and impact your course of action for life. Here are a few things to consider when preparing for and writing your personal mission statement.
1, What are the three things that you value most?
2, What are you passionate about? Think in at least three different areas of life, i.e. hobbies, work related, people types.
3, What skills do you possess? What are you good at, listening, working with your hands, mechanical, cooking, mental processing?
4, In addition to your skills, what other strengths do you possess?
5, What goals would you like to accomplish in life?
6, Pray. Pray that God would lead you in aligning these areas as He planned and purposed for you.
With these in mind begin to piece together a statement that embodies these five areas. Don’t accept your first draft of your mission statement. You will want to assess, rewrite, and tweak your wording – several times to assure this is God’s mission for you.
Gain clarity of and focus for God’s purpose for your life by developing you own mission statement. What is my mission statement? It is located at the close of every blog post. Assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. I’d love to read yours once you’ve developed one.
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.