Writing a personal mission statement is something that I always had my college and summer students (who were in high school) do. Mission statements allow you to voice what it is you want for yourself, how you want to be the world, what matters to you, your dreams. I still believe that mission statements are a powerful part of self-empowerment. The other day, I found the mission statement that I wrote at 25 (see below), when I was still searching but definitely focused.
I also came across this professional mission statement that I wrote in January (at 35): Rosie Molinary specializes in encouraging individuals to explore, integrate, and solidify their voices in order to empower them with their own truth, confidence, hope, passion and action.
In the mission statement workshop I led, I would have my students list their values, the roles they played in life and the tribute they most wanted someone to associate with them in that role, and then the dreams they had for themselves and their lives if they had limitless resources. From there, they would create maps, using symbols to link similar themes throughout so they knew which notions were recurring and really needed mention in their mission statements. When it came time to write, I encouraged them to do it in a form that resonated with them. At 25, for me, that was a laundry list of declarative sentences. At 35, for me, it was one complex sentence. The one sentence is nice because it is something that you can memorize and have as a soundbite reminder for yourself whenever you need it, but, sometimes, you need a laundy list. At 25, I did. Ultimately, I think it is important for the mission statement to be positive and to serve as a guide in your daily life, a compass point to make sure you are always moving towards your own true north. Think about writing a mission statement today as a way to embrace the life you are living, the life you most want to live.
Mission Statement (at age 25)
embrace my spirituality.
Cull Wisdom.
Pull out the bones and marrow of life.
Allow relationships to grow.
Serve inwardly and outwardly…
MAKE IT HOW I LIVE AND NEVER WHAT I “DO.”
Value Balance.
FOSTER NATURAL APPRECIATION.
Appreciate all those things that merit appreciation.
Celebrate Simplicity.
Be concerned with how I leave things
while reflecting on how I am left.
LOVE PEOPLE NOT THINGS.
Generate voice, facilitate expression.
Take Big Bites.
Send Flowers.
Feel.
Laugh.
USE MY PASSION.
