{"id":143,"date":"2018-08-18T00:19:08","date_gmt":"2018-08-18T00:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/ageofanxiety\/?p=143"},"modified":"2018-08-18T00:19:08","modified_gmt":"2018-08-18T00:19:08","slug":"personal-mission-statement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/ageofanxiety\/2018\/08\/personal-mission-statement.html","title":{"rendered":"Your Personal Mission Statement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"vintage\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Purpose provides a reason to get out of bed in the morning.\u00a0 It is a context for goals and a reason to go on when a goal is met.\u00a0 Saving the whales or winning the Olympics are goals, not purpose. A purpose provides the why for the goal and the impetus to go on whether or not the goal is achieved or achievable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You may or may not have a calling but you can develop a mission statement. Companies do so why not individuals?\u00a0 The Sweet Green salad company\u2019s mission is to inspire communities by connecting people to real food.\u00a0 Tesla, the electric car company, wants to accelerate the world\u2019s transition to sustainable energy. Mission statements state purpose and goals. Some corporations add vision statements to clarify the \u2018why\u2019 and \u2018how\u2019 of the mission. These carefully crafted documents are important enough that companies can take months agonizing over them with expensive consultants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The place you work may go even further and codify their values. The military and police require oaths to protect and defend. Jobs and corporations advertise their purpose but while individuals talk about themselves, very few of us have thought about, let alone written out what we believe we are doing here. Goals, we have plenty. Meaning in life is trickier. Though highly associated with happiness it is complicated because it also includes a sense of significance and beliefs that make sense out of life.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nonetheless, a personal mission statement is worthwhile.\u00a0 It can be modified over time to reflect changes in your beliefs, values or life situation. Goals can be included but are less important than purpose which is timeless.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n

Here is my personal mission statement:<\/u><\/p>\n

I commit any talents, gifts and energy I have to the service of others so that they may\u00a0 feel loved, appreciated and thrive in health.<\/p>\n

Although the people around me have unique interests and experiences,\u00a0 we are connected.\u00a0 I do not see their best interests as separate from mine.<\/p>\n

When I make mistakes or do not live up to my values, I will take \u00a0100% responsibility for my behavior and life.<\/p>\n

I believe all things are lessons that God would have me learn. My purpose is to remember my true nature is love.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is yours?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Martela, F & Steger, MF. The three meanings of meaning in life: Distinguishing coherence, purpose and significance. J Pos Psych<\/u> 2016, 11(5):531-545.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Purpose provides a reason to get out of bed in the morning.\u00a0 It is a context for goals and a reason to go on when a goal is met.\u00a0 Saving the whales or winning the Olympics are goals, not purpose. A purpose provides the why for the goal and the impetus to go on…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":619,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[43,41,42],"class_list":["post-143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-calling","tag-mission","tag-purpose"],"yoast_head":"\nYour Personal Mission Statement - Serenity in an Age of Anxiety<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A purpose provides the why for your goals and the impetus to go on whether or not they are achieved or achievable. 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