A vision and a mission
Having a clear vision and mission gives your life direction and guides you in making
important life and career decisions. In this 21st century environment things have
changed...no longer are we limited to only one career or to traditional roles. As Seth Godin
points out...
"For 100 years the way the whole world got rich was
industrialization -- we figured out how to take a nickel and
make it into a dime and then a dollar," Godin explains. "In
order to do that we had to build schools and systems and
expectations to get you to go to work and do what you
were told."
Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te
tūohu koe, me he maunga
teitei
Pursue excellence should you
stumble, let it be to a lofty
mountain
For several generations, doing what you’re told was a
ticket to an improved quality of life, a better job and the
opportunity for upward mobility. But globalization and
ever-efficient mass production have brought that cycle to
its endgame; as many Americans have learned, there are
no "safe" jobs anymore, especially in manufacturing, and no guarantees of employment, even at the
biggest companies.
"The challenge today is we can't make it any faster or cheaper…and most of those jobs have gone
overseas," says Godin, a best-selling author, entrepreneur and marketing expert.
What's replacing the industrial model is what he calls the "connection economy" -- where the value
comes from "people who lead, who connect and who do things that are ridiculous and amazing and
remarkable."
Building your vision
Your vision describes the optimum, the mental picture you carry of the ideal future state for
yourself (5 – 10 year picture). We all have some ideas about what that might be and by spending a
little time clarifying your vision, it will help define your mission and give a clearer sense of direction.
What is the difference between a vision and a mission?
A vision describes your ideal future state. A mission
statement captures how you are going to realize the vision.
Your mission will answer three questions- what you are
going to do, who you are doing it for and how you are going
to do it.
Creating your vision
1. Think about what’s important to you- your values, strengths, passions, people...
2. Start building a mental image of what you want your life to look like. There are a variety of
ways to do this. You could:
a. draw a picture of your ideal future
b. create a 2x2 grid frame and use the Whare tapawha model (Mason Durie) as a way
of organising your ideas Taha Wairua- beliefs and faith dimension, Taha Tinanaphysical dimension, Taha Hinengaro- the thinking and feeling dimension, Taha
Whānau- the belonging, caring and sharing dimension.
c. Mindmap your ideal future
d. Use a vision planning tool such as
http://www.mentoringgroup.com/html/articles/mentee_2.html
3. Start drafting out your visions using the notes you have made. Here are some examples to
get you started
Examples of visions
1. To be healthy, financially secure, competent and successful in my chosen career, and have
my positive attitude and goals help and inspire everyone around me. To never stop learning
and to pass on what I learn to others. To develop greater patience, understanding, and love
for others. To experience life to the fullest through travel, the arts, learning, feeling, loving,
and living. To be content at every stage but never complacent. For my family to know in all
things and at all times that I love and value them.
2. My personal vision is to live a successful, passionate life. To excel in my career and bring
enlightenment to others, to share compassion and joy with others. To be a master of myself
and develop my core being. To create and maintain loving relationships with my family,
friends and my partner. To be committed to growing and taking risks.
If you would like more examples go to: https://sites.google.com/site/titaeda/sample-visionstatements
Creating your mission statement
Mission statements are not static and need to be re-visited as we grow and our circumstances
change. So even if you have created one in the past here is an opportunity to reflect on and re-craft
a mission that gets you up each morning excited and full of purpose.
Creating your own mission statement
It may be that you feel able to write a mission statement yourself now or if you need a little more
guidance this link will take you to a mission builder based on the 7 habits of highly effective people.
http://www.franklincovey.com/msb/
Once you have completed the questions it will provide you with a summary statement which you
can tweak if you need to.
Examples of personal mission statements
1. DENISE MORRISON, CEO OF CAMPBELL SOUP
COMPANY
“To serve as a leader, live a balanced life, and
apply ethical principles to make a significant
difference.”
“Your biggest failure
is the thing you
dreamed of
contributing but
didn’t find the guts to
do.” – Seth Godin
In an interview Morrison said, “The personal mission
statement was important for me because I believe
that you can’t lead others unless you have a strong
sense of who you are and what you stand for. For
me, living a balanced life means nurturing the academic, physical, and spiritual aspects of
my life so I can maintain a sense of well-being and self-esteem.”
2. JOEL MANBY, CEO OF HERSCHEND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
“I define personal success as being consistent to my own personal mission statement:
to love God and love others.”
Manby’s company, Herschend Family Entertainment, owns and operates 26 family-oriented
theme parks and attractions across the United States, including Dollywood and the Harlem
Globetrotters. He told Skip Prichard that he achieves his personal mission statement in his
own endeavors, but feels blessed to be able to achieve it in a growing, profitable business.
3. OPRAH WINFREY, FOUNDER OF OWN, THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
“To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they
thought they could be.”
In an issue of O magazine, Winfrey recalls watching her grandmother churn butter and wash
clothes in a cast-iron pot in the yard. A small voice inside of her told her that her life would
be more than hanging clothes on a line. She eventually realized she wanted to be a teacher,
but “I never imagined it would be on TV,” she writes.
4. SIR RICHARD BRANSON, FOUNDER OF THE VIRGIN GROUP
“To have fun in [my] journey through life and learn from [my] mistakes.”
Branson shared his personal mission statement in an interview with Motivated magazine.
He added that “In business, know how to be a good leader and always try to bring out the
best in people. It’s very simple: listen to them, trust in them, believe in them, respect them,
and let them have a go!”
5. AMANDA STEINBERG, FOUNDER OF DAILYWORTH.COM
“To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the selfworth and net-worth of women around the world.”
Steinberg launched DailyWorth in 2009 to help women build wealth. Since then, she’s
grown her site to more than 1 million subscribers. “I believe financially empowered women
are the key to world peace,” she says.