Creating a personal mission statement
I was challenged by Chuck over at I Hate Your Job to develop a personal mission statement. To be honest, it’s something I’ve tried in the past, but I can never seem to buckle down and do it. Well, maybe what it took was being called out on the internet, in front of the world, to make me realize that it’s a good idea, and that I should take it seriously.
In the past, every time I’ve tried to put one together, it has been based on my career, rather than my person. This time, I’ve made the effort to make it more about me than my job, and as such, it will be constantly evolving. So, if you pop back on here and it looks different, maybe I’ve grown and changed my outlook. Or, perhaps I’ve cheated, and decided that this is too hard, so I’ll change the rules. Only time will tell.
And away we go:
I will view the world with an optimistic perspective. Because my attitude is the only thing I can truly control.
I will utilize my sense of humor to brighten others’ days and, if possible, alleviate distress.
I will work to encourage my wife in her interests and try to make her pursuits my own.
I will strive to make sure my family understands their importance to me.
I will have fun every day. Even if it kills me.
I will work hard and work to save more.
I will not make work my life.
I will be active – in body and mind.
I will not take my freedom for granted, and will reflect often on what it means to be free.
I will talk less and listen more.
My glass will be half full. At least.
I will make the choice to be happy even if I don’t feel like it, without being insincere. My happiness is my choice.
I will work to be good toward others, through compassion and empathy.
I will work to emphasize the good in my fellow man, and give others the benefit of the doubt.
I will work to become stronger, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
I will be honest, without being hurtful.
I will become a lifelong learner, and not just as it pertains to my career.
I will take the time to read for enjoyment.
I will spend time with friends.
I won’t view the world through a 19-inch LCD.
I will manage my time.
I will manage my finances.
I will manage my relationships, without controlling them.I will be intentional.
That wasn’t so bad. Unless somebody holds me to those things, and then we’ll see.
Join the Explosion
Since this started out as a movement so to speak, I am to send out the BlogSignal to others I know, in an effort to push them to develop a personal mission statement too. As a general rule, I don’t do forwards or memes, but since this is really more self-enriching than entertaining, what the heck. So, let’s see: Emon, Brian, Nicole, BabyChaos, Laurie K., Jason, and Nils.
If you aren’t on the list above and stumble across this, and are so inclined, try to take the time to create your own. It really gives you a chance to pause and think about who you are and what you want to be in life, not just in the office. Chuck also made a reference to the Stephen Covey Personal Mission Statement generator, which I think is a funny idea, but it does work, and gets the juices flowing.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:21 am
I wish I worked in an office. I think it is my dream at this point in life to work in an office, not whatever it is that I do.
As for mission statements, do you know of any mission statement generators on the internet that I could utilize?
September 18th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Sorry Jason - I just updated the last paragraph…I forgot to post his link to the generator.
What is it that you do?
September 18th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Thanks Joe. One more thing, if you could link to the original post on my site, your contribution will show up in the trackback section.
I’m trying to have everything end up there so we can learn from each other.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Allright JD…I accept your challenge and yes, I am UP TO IT!!!! My personal mission statement will be forthcoming.
Thanks for thinking of me.
LK
September 18th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I’ll think about it but I’m not making any promises
September 18th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Thanks Laurie. I didn’t think it would be too much work for you.
And Nicole, no pressure. It was just an interesting process to work through, internally, of course. Posting it is just gravy. Look at that…a cooking reference.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Fair enough! Give me couple of days.
September 19th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Joe,
I really like your mission statement. It gives all us readers a look into who you are and what you’re about.
Cheers!
September 19th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Love the mission statement. We had to come up with one at work last year, and they told us we only had ONE sentence to do it. I like how you’ve busted that rule wide open. Good goals in your mission statement. I like that you’ll find a way to laugh every day, even if it kills you. Maybe you’ll get appendicitis??
September 19th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Thanks Kristen. I’m sure I’ll be adding to it as we go along. We’ll see.
Barclay - One sentence? Any restrictions on how many words you could use? Grammar be damned! Appendicitis? I hope I don’t laugh my way to organ failure.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Well, I think my mission statement would sound a lot like yours, but, I’m going to give it a go.
The other day I was thinking about doing something similar, based on the fact I’ve been a little down and out lately after getting laid off. A little too down and out really.
I remember years back my sister (she is ten years older than I and we are comparitively like night and day) watched an Oprah show on which Oprah was keeping a “Thankful Journal.” Which I suppose the idea was you were suppose to write ten things each day you were thankful for. So my sister got this bright idea to get me a blank journal and have me give it a go. At this point in my life I was so over-come with teenage angst it was hard for me to think of five things I was greatful for let alone ten! I think after three trys it officially became the “Ungrateful Journal.”
Needless to say. . . l like your challenge.. .because basically . ..I have not been challenging myself enough!
Peace Love Dope!
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:12 pm
As I was reading this, I was thinking: I could never write something so great and inspiring. LOL when I saw my name.
I’ll give it a go. I’m in (yet another) phase in my life when I’m open to change. Maybe it’ll work out.
I’ll keep you posted.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
(I posted this on my website. . .and I have a few reservations about my approach, but, well. . .that’s just me.)
Ok, because it seemed like a good idea (http://www.fourbux.com/) at the time. . .and a few were complaining that I wasn’t being upbeat enough. . .here is my mission statement.
(takes a deep breath…and holds it.)
I will be more optimistic.
Even if that means smacking myself a bit.
I will be more chipper.
Even if that means I must use a higher pitched voice while being so.
I will be more patient.
Especially with my loved ones. (With whom I often want to kick in the ass. . .and I’m sure they would love to return the favor.) And even if. . .that means keeping my fists off the car horn.
I will be less forgiving.
But, on the flip side. . .more forgetful!
I will take things less seriously.
Except of course, this mission statement.
I will get off my lazy ass and exercise.
Even if that means getting off my lazy ass and excercising.
I will take control.
Without going out of control.
I will remove the empty toilet paper roll and replace it with a new one.
Because this bothers some people.
I will.
I promise.
I will think more before I speak.
Although that may make me less entertaining.
Lastly (although I am surely missing a lot more) I will quit casually smoking.
Because that’s just plain fucking stupid.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:43 pm
[...] Joe over at Fourbux sent out this BlogSignal about creating a personal mission statement. I’ve always seen personal and career mission statements as one but separating the two is as important as having any at all. Okay, I’ll keep mine short. [...]