How to write your personal mission statement
Live a bigger story with this powerful tool that helps you focus and live intentionally.
Imagine waking up every morning with a deep sense of purpose, knowing why you’re here and what drives you forward. Most of us live on autopilot, reacting to life rather than leading it. But what if you could change that? What if you had a tool, like an internal compass, to help guide your decisions and actions to lead your life with purpose.
People want to be part of a bigger story in life, and they want to play a meaningful role in that story. Humans have been telling stories since the beginning of time. Everyone loves a great story, whether it's told as a parable, a book or a movie. The stories we tell others and, most importantly, ourselves, shape our beliefs, behaviours, and ultimately, how we live out our life. A personal mission statement is a tool that can help you create a bigger story for your own life. Crafting a personal mission statement is also an exercise in clarity. When we define the current mission for our life, we get more alignment and focus to the things that matter.
A personal mission statement helps you in three ways:
It gets you focused (direction)
What do you want to see happen in your life and your world? Whether it’s raising a family, solving challenging problems, or contributing to a community, a personal mission statement gives you focus and direction.
It gets you moving (action)
A personal mission statement calls you to action. Life is not a spectators sport. To fulfil your purpose, there are steps to take and sacrifices to make.
It gives you a why (purpose)
Purpose fuels perseverance. When challenges arise, your mission statement reminds you of the bigger story at play and what's at stake.
Your personal mission is not a perfect summary of your life's purpose or potential, nor should it remain the same throughout your life. It's an evolving story that will change as you journey through different seasons and stages of life.
What makes a personal mission so powerful is it helps you shape the lens (the story) through which you see and live your life right now. Psychologists refer to this as narrative identity. Actively shaping your story (compared to being a spectator) helps you live intentionally. In other words, living with a sense of purpose, making decisions that align with your values, and saying no to distractions that pull you away from what truly matters.
How to write your personal mission statement
What's your mission? What bigger story do you want to write for your life, and to live out each day? How do you start writing a personal mission statement?
A helpful place to start is by reflecting on your own life, and asking some clarifying questions to envision a path forward.
Reflection questions to ask yourself:
What things do I value the most in life?
What impact do I want my life to have on others?
What change do I want to see in my world?
What things am I deeply passionate about?
What unique skills and experiences do I have?
What roles do I play to bring change? (e.g. parent, teacher)
What's at stake if I do nothing?
Through reflection, you will likely discover that there are things in your life that have, for better or worse, shaped the person you are today. This could be your upbringing, it could be your current or past work, your family or friends, or simply unique experiences that have impacted you. The point of all this is to understand where you're at in your bigger story, to shape the direction of where you want to go next (because your story isn't over yet).
To write your personal mission statement, I suggest this simple 3-step formula. Write an answer to the following three key questions and then combine those answers into a summary statement.
Q1. Where Am I Heading? (Direction)
What's the long-term direction for your life? Maybe it's raising a family, or building a business, or simply making an impact for others in your local community. Perhaps you're in a season right now that you know is connected and important to what you have in mind for the future. Big or small, write it down.
Q2. What Will I Do? (Action)
What will you do with the talents, skills, and opportunities you’ve been given? Think beyond your current job title and write down the different roles you fulfil to help others. E.g. A parent, a leader, an entrepreneur. Something as simple as being a friend to others is just as an important as being a superstar.
Q3. Why Does It Matter? (Purpose)
There's a purpose to every mission. What's yours? What do you care about? What impact do you want your life to have for others?
Putting it all together:
Take your answers to the three questions above and let them guide you to write a few paragraphs on what your mission is for this season. Then, write a shorter, condensed summary that will become your personal mission statement.
Remember, this is not set in stone. Start with something simple, call it a first draft, and improve it over time. Don't get hung up on trying to find the right words or making it something that sounds good but isn't dear to your heart.
Your mission doesn’t have to be long, nor should it be complicated. Some of the most powerful missions are simple, yet profound. If you're wondering how short it can be, Walt Disney's mission was simply "to make people happy". And he sure did!
Personal Mission Statement examples:
Jasmine: "My mission is to educate and inspire kids to dream big ‒ because they’re our future leaders"
Trent: "Be a great dad to my kids, and a father figure to young men in our city"
John: "Build innovative businesses that push the boundaries of design and improve peoples lives"
Michelle: "Restore women, by providing legal guidance to those escaping domestic violence situations"
These examples are short, but your mission statement can be as long as you want. Just keep in mind a phrase that summarises your mission statement in one sentence, to make it easier to remember and communicate to others.
When you live 'on mission', life feels more intentional, more aligned, and more meaningful. You stop reacting and start leading. You stop comparing and start creating. Not only are you shaping your own story, but leave a lasting impact on the world around you.
Written by Lachlan Nicolson
