Creating Your Mission
Facilitated by
the Office of Judicial Affairs
Based on The Path: Creating your Mission
Statement for Work and Life
by Laurie Beth Jones
WHY?
Why would you create a mission?
3 Elements of a Mission
• No more than a single sentence longWHY?
• Easily understood by a 12 yr. old
• Should be able to recite by memory at
gunpoint
Examples:
• Lincoln:
“Preserve the Union”
• FDR:
“End the depression”
• Nelson Mandela:
“End Apartheid”
• Mother Teresa:
“Show mercy and
compassion to the dying”
False Assumptions:
• My mission has to be grand and help lots of
people
• My job or career goal is my mission
• My “to do list” is my mission
• I am NOT currently living my mission
• I am NOT important enough to have a
mission
• A mission must be full of suffering
Before the Mission
• Know yourself:
• What makes you unique?
• What do you enjoy?
• What do people say you are good at?
• Passion: What most excites you about this
world?
• What most angers you about this world?
I am:
• List five positive things about
yourself
OR
• Draw a picture of yourself as
something
Action Verbs
• Pick out three verbs from each page on the
list that excite you.
• Pick out the ultimate 3 verbs (keep a few
alternates if you want to.)
Your Core
• What do you stand for?
• What principle, cause, value, or purpose
would you die for or devote your life to?
• Examples:
• Joy, service, justice, family, faith, learning,
creativity, equality, and excellence.
Whom are you here to help?
• Pick three groups or causes that you want to
serve, be around, inspire, learn from, and
impact in a positive way.
• Now choose the top one!
Your Mission
• Add the puzzle pieces together
• Does this surprise you?
• Is this similar to what you have been doing? How
is it different?
• How does it feel to look at it?
• Does it fit you?
• Does it inspire or excite you?
• Is it clear?
• Is it specific to your passions, talents, and gifts?
Next Steps
• Get a thesaurus and write down as many
words that relate to the key words in your
statement. This will expand the possibilities.
• Ask people close to you if this describes
you.
• Does this cover work and personal life?
Vision Statement
• What the idea will look like.
• This will sustain you on your mission.
• Four Key Elements
1) It is written down?
2) Is it present tense as if it has already been
accomplished?
3) Variety of activities and time frames?
4) Is it filled with descriptive details that anchor it in
reality?
Goals
• Looking at your mission and vision think
about…
• Where will I be:
•
•
•
•
In two years
In five year
In ten years
On my death bed
Vision Statement
• Who is living the life you most envy?
• Describe what that life is like.
•
•
•
•
Describe in detail your ideal work setting.
Describe your ideal work day.
Describe your ideal co-worker.
If money were no object what would you be
doing with your life?
• How will others remember you?
• What tangible things do you give people to
remember you by?
• You are a very old person walking with a
school child, they ask “What are you most
proud of about your life?”
• As a result of your life three things have
changed or shifted in the world. What are
they?
Sustaining Your Vision
• Keep your mission and vision as the dominant thought in
your mind!
• Examine, educate, and enlist your resources
• Time
• Talents
• Training
• Health
• Finances
• Friends and family
• Hobbies
• Coaches, teachers, religious leaders, etc.
A Mission is a
Work in Progress