Crafting Personal Mission: Guide to Goals & Values
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 8 min read

Contents

Embarking on the journey of developing a personal mission statement and professional values is like setting up a GPS for your life. Knowing where you want to go and what values you hold dear helps you navigate the complex road of life, making decisions easier and more meaningful. This guide will walk you through the process of identifying your mission, setting your goals, and aligning them with your values.

What is a personal mission?

Before we dive into the specifics, it's important to understand what a personal mission is. In simple terms, a personal mission is a statement that defines your life's purpose - your 'why'. It's the guiding light that helps you make decisions aligning with your values and goals. Let's break it down a bit more.

Personal Mission: The 'Why'

Your personal mission is your 'why'. It's the reason you get up in the morning. The passion that keeps you going, even when things get tough. It's not about what you do, but why you do it. For example, if you're a teacher, your personal mission might be to 'inspire young minds to reach their full potential'. Here, your 'why' is not teaching, but inspiring students.

Values in Your Mission

The second part of developing a personal mission statement is understanding your values. Values are the beliefs and principles that guide your decisions. They're the non-negotiables in your life. Whether it's honesty, kindness, or ambition, your values are a key part of your mission. They help you stay true to yourself, even when faced with difficult choices.

Goals and Your Mission

Finally, your personal mission is tied to your goals. These are the tangible things you're striving for. Maybe it's to become a CEO, write a novel, or start a non-profit. Your goals are the milestones on your journey, and your mission is the path that leads you there. Remember, goals can change over time, but your mission remains constant—guiding you in the right direction.

In the next sections, we'll go deeper into identifying your values, setting goals, and how to craft your personal mission statement. Stay tuned!

How to identify your values

Your values are like your personal compass, guiding you in the direction that aligns best with your authentic self. But how do you identify them? Here are a few steps to help you in developing a personal mission statement and professional values.

Reflect on What Matters

Begin with some introspection. What matters most to you in life? What beliefs or principles do you hold dear? This could be anything from honesty and integrity to creativity and innovation. Remember, values are deeply personal—there's no wrong or right answer here. As you reflect, jot down everything that comes to mind. This is the first step in understanding your values.

Analyze Your Joy and Pain

Another way to identify your values is by looking at your joys and pains. What experiences have brought you immense joy? And which ones caused you deep pain? Often, these intense emotions are tied to our values. If helping others brings you joy, perhaps compassion is one of your values. If lying causes you distress, honesty might be a value you hold high.

Observe Your Behavior

Your actions speak louder than words. Observe your behavior in different situations. What actions make you feel good about yourself? What behaviors are you proud of? These actions often align with your values. For instance, if you find fulfillment in volunteering, service could be a value you cherish. Or if you're always the one to take the lead, maybe leadership is a value important to you.

Ask for Feedback

Sometimes, others can see things in us that we may overlook. Ask trusted friends, family, or mentors for their input. What values do they see in you? How do they perceive your actions and decisions? Their feedback can provide valuable insight into your values.

After going through these steps, you should have a list of potential values. Reflect on each one and narrow down your list to around five core values that truly define who you are. These values will play a pivotal role in developing your personal mission statement and setting your goals.

How to set personal goals

Setting personal goals is like plotting your course on a map. It gives you direction and helps you stay on track. But how do you set these goals? Here's a simple guide on setting personal goals that align with your mission and values.

Understand Your Values

Start by revisiting your identified core values. Your goals should align with these values to ensure they truly represent what you want to achieve. This is a critical part of developing a personal mission statement and professional values. If your goals don't align with your values, you might find yourself striving for things that don't bring you fulfillment.

Visualize Your Ideal Future

Imagine your life five, ten, or even twenty years from now. What does it look like? Where are you and what are you doing? Visualizing your ideal future can help you identify the goals that will lead you there. Remember to consider your values in this visualization. They should be reflected in your ideal future.

Set SMART Goals

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This is a proven technique used for effective goal setting. Be specific about what you want to achieve. Make sure you can measure your progress. Your goal should be achievable and relevant to your values and mission. And finally, set a deadline for your goal. This creates a sense of urgency and keeps you motivated.

Break Down Big Goals

If your goal is big or long-term, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. This makes the goal less daunting and helps you track your progress. Each small win can motivate you to keep going.

Write Down Your Goals

Writing down your goals makes them real. It also serves as a daily reminder of what you're working towards. Keep your written goals somewhere you can see them regularly, like a journal or a vision board.

Remember, goal setting is an ongoing process. As you grow and evolve, your goals might change too. Regularly review your goals and adjust them if necessary. This will keep you on track towards your personal mission and professional values.

Crafting your personal mission statement

Creating your personal mission statement is like being the author of your life's story. It outlines what you stand for, what you value, and where you intend to go. Let's take a look at how to craft your personal mission statement, a key step in developing a personal mission statement and professional values.

Reflect on Your Core Values

Remember those values you identified? Now's the time to bring them to the forefront. Your mission statement should be a direct reflection of what you hold dear. Think about how these values influence your life and how they can shape your future.

Consider Your Strengths and Passions

What are you good at? What do you love to do? Your personal mission statement should capitalize on these strengths and passions. They're the fuel that will drive you towards your goals. So, don't just think about what you're capable of—consider what you love to do.

Define Your Personal and Professional Goals

Your mission statement should guide you towards your goals. So, take those personal goals you've set and incorporate them into your mission statement. This will help you stay focused and motivated, whether you're working towards personal milestones or professional achievements.

Write It Down

Once you've reflected on your values, strengths, passions, and goals, it's time to put pen to paper. Write down your personal mission statement. It doesn't have to be long—a single sentence can suffice. What matters is that it's clear, meaningful, and truly representative of you.

Keep It Visible

Once you've crafted your mission statement, keep it somewhere you can see it. This could be on your desk, as a note in your phone, or even as a daily reminder. Keeping your mission statement visible will help you stay true to your values and focused on your goals.

Remember, a personal mission statement isn't set in stone. It's a living document that can—and should—evolve as you grow and change. Don't be afraid to revise it as you continue your journey of self-discovery and goal-setting.

Using your mission statement to guide your actions

Once you've put in the work of developing a personal mission statement and professional values, it's time to put that mission statement into action. Here's how:

Make Decisions Based on Your Mission Statement

When faced with a tough choice, refer back to your mission statement. It should serve as a compass, guiding you towards decisions that align with your values, strengths, and goals. Does the choice at hand help you live out your mission? If not, it might be time to reconsider.

Set Goals That Align with Your Mission Statement

As you set new goals, make sure they align with your mission statement. This will help ensure that your efforts are always directed towards what truly matters to you. Think of your mission statement as the big picture, and your goals as the steps to get there.

Stay Accountable

Your mission statement is only as valuable as your commitment to it. So, hold yourself accountable. Check in with your mission statement regularly. Are you living in line with it? If not, what changes can you make to get back on track?

Spread the Word

Don't keep your mission statement a secret. Share it with others—family, friends, mentors, colleagues. They can provide valuable feedback, support, and accountability. Plus, speaking your mission out loud can make it feel more real and attainable.

Remember, your mission statement is your personal roadmap. It should guide your actions, inspire your decisions, and keep you focused on your journey. So, use it wisely and watch as you move closer to your goals.

Review and Revise Your Mission Statement

Developing a personal mission statement and professional values isn't a one-time task. It's an ongoing process of reflection and adjustment. Here's how you can keep your mission statement fresh and relevant:

Regular Check-ins

Life changes, and as it does, so should your mission statement. Make it a habit to review your statement every few months. Are the goals and values you've outlined still relevant? Are you still committed to them? Keep the conversation with yourself ongoing.

Re-evaluate After Major Life Changes

When a major life event occurs—like a new job, a big move, or a personal milestone—it's the perfect time to re-evaluate your mission statement. These changes can shift your perspective, so your mission statement should reflect that.

Seek Feedback

Don't be afraid to seek feedback on your mission statement. Sharing it with trusted individuals can provide new insights and perspectives. They might even help you uncover values or goals you hadn't considered before.

Embrace Changes

It's okay if your mission statement changes over time. In fact, it should! As you grow and evolve, so should your mission. Embrace those changes—it's a sign you're progressing on your journey.

Remember, a mission statement is not a static document—it's a living, breathing reflection of your personal and professional aspirations. So, keep it in tune with your evolving self, and you'll keep moving forward on the path to your goals.

If you're eager to dive deeper into crafting your personal mission, don't miss Karen Oldhoven's workshop, 'Time to Create your Personal Brand.' This workshop will guide you through the process of aligning your goals and values to create a strong, authentic personal brand that reflects who you truly are and what you stand for.