Preparing a Personal Mission Statement

Proverbs 16:9(NASB) ⁹ The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

God has a plan for me and you. The question is, "How does that plan work itself out in our lives?" For me to be able to live out a plan, I must first understand how it applies to me. One instrument that helps me is writing a personal mission statement. The declaration helps me to mark boundaries in my life. Predetermining what I will, and what I will not do, eliminates many of the time wasters in my life because I do not have to stop and evaluate every decision.

My personal mission statement also serves as the foundation for my future planning. By allowing it to guide me, I will plan to do those things which make more of an impact.

The statement should be written in a positive way. It is designed to point out the things I am good at, helping me to see my strengths and understand how I am contributing to life. The document helps me think about specific actions, behaviors, habits and qualities that would have a significant positive impact on my life over the next 1 to 3 years.

My mission statement is personal but not permanent. As I grow, my desires and knowledge, as well as the challenges and opportunities in my life, will change. These changes can be reflected in a recasting my mission statement.

Here are some "Life Review" thoughts to go through before writing a Personal Mission Statement.
1.  I need to list my successes. These achievements are ones that make me feel energized and excited. Some are accomplishments that I have had to work hard to attain and felt good doing it. I need to identify 4 to 5 of these personal triumphs which have occurred in recent years.

2.  I need to list my core values/beliefs. I can make this list as long as necessary and then narrow it down to the top six beliefs that are most important to me. As a Christian the basis of my worldview is extremely important because it drives every decision. All of my future plans will be qualified through the filter of these beliefs. Proverbs 16:3(NASB) ³ Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

3.  I need to list ways that I contribute to life. How do I make things work more smoothly at home, school, work, etc.? What role do I find myself being fulfilled in most often? Am I the peacemaker, promoter, persuader, person that brings precision, etc.? I need to list at least five ways I make a positive difference, from this list, which one do I see as most important. This step reveals a lot about where my spiritual gifts lie. 1 Peter 4:10(NASB) ¹⁰As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Corinthians 7:7(NASB) ⁷. . . However, each man has his own gift from God, . . .
　

4.  I need to list ways I would like to make a difference. If I were allowed to make two significant and unrestricted changes in myself, my family, my friends, my faith, and the thing that brings me fulfillment, what would they be? How do I envision these changes making a positive impact?

　
5.  I need to list my personal goals. Short-term goals include things over the next two years and long-term objectives deal with three or more years. Who is it that I want to become? What habits do I wish to form? What actions and character traits do I desire to develop? Where do I want to be? All my goals in the process of being fulfilled and when finally attained need to bring glory to God. Philippians 2:13(NASB) ¹³for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

After doing this life review, I am now ready to begin writing or rewriting my personal mission statement. I need to remember that this is a positive personal account which will guide me in day-to-day actions and decisions. God has a plan for me and it is important for me to recognize that I have a personal involvement in understanding and applying that plan.


Psalms 25:4-5(NASB) ⁴ Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. ⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.