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Article, Personal Growth

Mission Statements

I was thinking about what to write about next and I thought, “oh maybe I haven’t written about mission statements”.  After making a quick search of my posts, I realized that I had not posted about them. Mission Statements are basically the goal or vision for your life. Stephen Covey called this Habit 2, “Begin with the End in Mind“.  Many years ago, I wrote and rewrote my personal mission statement until I felt it stated what I wanted to be … it is:

“My mission is to become like Jesus Christ by an increased study of the Standard Works and by applying the principles therein, and by regular Temple attendance.

It is also to create and maintain a beautiful and meaningful relationship with my Wife and Children and to build this relationship with my Parents, Brothers, Sisters, and Extended Family. I will do this by understanding them and by teaching them about our Saviour, Jesus Christ and His gospel.

I will also increase in secular Knowledge by the Study of Languages, Great Literature, Music, Science, Nature, and History; by attending college and taking additional classes and lectures.”

While the first 2 paragraphs are my spiritual and personal life, the last deals with my world or secular knowledge growth. Something that you see is that my first priority are my relationship with my God. Second, is my family relationships. Third, is knowledge and skills.

While I don’t have statements like: “I will be loved by my family and community” or that “I will be honored by my lodge (men’s group) for all my service hours”.  I felt that if I lived a good life and a life that provided value to others, it would be enough of a ‘legacy’ that I would be proud of any accomplishments that come out of my life. Personally, I believe that whatever accomplishments come from a good life are a reflection of my Lord and God.

Now, you may not be a christian … however, from what I have learned about other faiths, many of them have a belief in doing good and sharing it with the world. for example, karma is a Buddhist and Hinduism which basically states that for every action there is a reciprocating future benefit or punishment. Even though this is not a direct christian principle, I have seen it in practice, and I believe that it a true principle.

If you want help with a mission statement, FranklinCovey has a tool. I haven’t used it, I had the book.

iron wil