The Path You Take:
Developing a Mission
Statement
Seven Counties Services
May 12, 2011
Shannon D. Staten
University of Louisville
sdstat01@louisville.edu
Why have a mission statement?
► Help
you make decisions at work and at
home
► Harness
► Cut
you to what is true
away what is false or less important
► Serve
as career insurance, the job becomes
the means rather than the end or side trip
“If one advances confidently in the
direction of his dreams and
endeavors to lead a life which he has
imagined, he will meet with success
unexpected in common hours.”
Henry David Thoreau
Pay It Forward
In Pursuit of Happyness
Past Influences
“Nothing affects the environment of a child so
much as the unlived life of a parent.” Carl Jung
Past Influences
What did you
do for fun when
you were a
child?
What were your
favorite toys or
games?
What did
people think
you would do
when you grew
up?
What have your
parents told
you they wish
they had done?
Values
Values: something of great importance.
According to the
Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus,
1996 Edition
“the worth or desirability of a thing, or the
qualities on which these depend”.
Principles
Differ from Values in that they are the
guidelines for human conduct that
reflect that value
The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus
defines principles as
“a personal code of conduct”.
Present Gifts and Talents
► Skills
or strengths that have been developed
► Skills
or strengths that seem to come
naturally
Values and Principles
► What
excites you?
► What
motivates you?
Take Action
► Do
you prefer to:
Lead or
Follow?
Perform or
Complete?
Create or
Make?
Roadblocks
What self habits slow
you down?
Purpose or Projects
► What
stories in the news tend to draw your
attention?
► Where
► What
do you spend your voluntary time?
keeps you in the job?
What do you Stand for?
To have a true mission that encompasses
your life, your career, your dreams, and
your talents, you must be able to identify
the key word or phrase at the center of
your soul.
What is the one thing that you believe the
strongest about?
Pulling it together
► Fulfilling
► Mission
life statement
statement
My personal mission is to use my unique
talents of __________ and __________
to ____________ and ___________
as I honor the importance of
____________ and ___________
for ____________ and ____________.