“The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America
to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the
Scout Oath and the Scout Law.”
– Boy Scouts of America vision statement
Author, Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) made this
statement: "An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding; and it is
not to be found in foreign lands, but in the heart itself." Every person has a purpose to fulfill. Every business, church or organization has a
mission or purpose to achieve. Human
kind is made in such a way that without the awareness of our purpose in life,
we become disorientated and discouraged.
Many have lost their will to live simply because they found nothing to
live for.
Have
you ever written out a personal mission statement? This is a short, yet descriptive statement of
what you believe you are meant to do in life.
In business and in organizations, mission statements are common place,
but even then, do people know what they are.
Think about it. Can you, right
now without searching for it, recite the mission statement of the company you
work for, the church you attend or the organizations you belong too? How can you achieve their goals if you do not
know what they are?
This is
even more important when it comes to you personal purpose. What is it that you believe you are here to
do? If you allow me, I would like to
share my personal mission statement with you.
I designed this several years ago after attending a seminar where this
principle was taught. It took me many
days to get it right, but I have not changed it and I strive to achieve it
every day:
"To be a
consistent example and teacher of personal excellence and leadership
skills. To live a life that will show
the reality of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer."
When I
am setting goals, creating action plans and looking at my future, this is my
starting point. If I stray from this, I
know I am heading in the wrong direction, no matter how good it may seem. Your mission statement is your anchor, and
your road map.
If you
have not made a personal mission statement, here are some tips on doing
this. First, please understand, you will
not really do this in a few minutes.
This can take days, maybe months to get it right. What is right? Right is where you know inside that this is
what you are meant to do. It is creating
something that is narrow enough to give you direction and guidelines, yet broad
enough to allow you to be creative and expand in the future.
What do you love to
do? Your purpose will not be
something you hate. It is your dream,
your passion and your life. You may not
have been in a place to fully do this yet, but you still can.
What are your
strengths? Do not waste time trying
to be strong in areas that you are weak.
Find where are you already strong and build on that. What do you do well?
How will this affect
others? Remember, your purpose is
not just to make you feel good and give you the things you want. You are here for others first. If you mission does not make the lives of
others better, you are missing the point.
On your
first try you may have a full paragraph or even a page to work with. In the end you want to bring it down to one
or two sentences. You can use the two
statements above (mine and the BSA) but do not copy them. This must be your purpose, your statement.
You
matter! You matter to the world and to
yourself. Remember to be your best, love
God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.
John Patrick
Hickey is an author, speaker, Life Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from
John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your
church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John
Patrick Hickey
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