what is your mission statement essay

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (20 Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 3, 2023 — 6 minutes to read

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement: 20 Inspiring Examples

A personal mission statement is a declaration of your guiding principles, goals, and aspirations in life. It helps you articulate your purpose, clarify your values, and make better decisions, both personally and professionally.

Having a personal mission statement is important for staying grounded and focused, especially when faced with difficult choices or setbacks in your life. By clearly defining your mission, you can:

• Gain a sense of direction
• Set priorities
• Align actions with core values
• Improve decision-making
• Motivate yourself
• Enhance personal growth and development

Key Components

In order to craft an effective personal mission statement, it’s important to consider three key components:

• Purpose: Reflect on your passions, what motivates you, and what you believe you were meant to do in this world.
• Core values: What are the principles that govern your behavior and decision-making? Think about the qualities you value most, such as integrity, kindness, or perseverance. Learn more: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values
• Goals: What do you hope to achieve in life, both personally and professionally? Determine what kind of impact you want to make in the world and set specific, measurable objectives that will help you reach that goal.

As you work on these components, be honest with yourself and choose elements that truly resonate with you, rather than adopting someone else’s beliefs or expectations. If your mission statement reflects your authentic self, it will be a far more effective tool for personal growth and fulfillment.

Creating Your Personal Mission Statement

Identifying your values.

Understanding your core values is essential in creating a personal mission statement. These values should reflect what is most important to you, and they will be the foundation of your mission statement. To help you identify your values, consider the following steps:

• Reflect on your past experiences and the values that were demonstrated in those situations.
• Ask yourself what values you hold most dear and which ones guide your decisions.

Learn more: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

Once you have a list of potential values, narrow it down to the top 3-5 that resonate with you the most. These will serve as the basis for your personal mission statement.

Setting Your Goals

Now that you have identified your values, it’s time to set your personal and professional goals. These goals should align with your values and form the framework of your mission statement. Here are some steps to assist you in setting your goals:

• Break your life into categories (such as career, relationships, and personal growth).
• Consider both short-term and long-term goals within each category.
• Be specific and realistic about what you want to achieve.

With clearly defined goals, you will be better equipped to create a mission statement that is focused and actionable.

Writing Your Statement

Now that you have defined your values and goals, you can begin crafting your personal mission statement. Keep the following tips in mind while writing your statement:

• Begin with a powerful opening sentence that encapsulates your values and aspirations.
• Be clear in expressing your goals and how they align with your values.
• Write in the present tense and use positive language to project confidence.

Your personal mission statement should be a reflection of who you are and what you hope to achieve. Revise and refine your statement until you feel it accurately represents your values, goals, and aspirations.

Examples of Personal Mission Statements

In this section, you’ll find a variety of personal mission statement examples tailored to different roles, lifestyles, and aspirations. Take inspiration from these examples and use them as a starting point for your own unique mission statement.

Example 1: Student

As a student, your mission might be to excel academically and develop meaningful relationships. Example: “To achieve academic excellence, cultivate lifelong friendships, and make a positive impact on my university community.”

Example 2: Career Professional

Your mission as a career professional could be to advance in your industry, exemplify integrity, and balance work and personal life. Example: “To grow professionally, maintain a high level of integrity, and achieve a healthy work-life balance.”

Example 3: Parent

As a parent, your mission could be to nurture, teach, and support your children, preparing them for the future. Example: “To provide a loving, enriching environment for my children, empowering them with the tools to succeed and grow.”

Example 4: Retiree

Your mission as a retiree can be to enjoy your golden years, staying healthy, and remaining active in your community. Example: “To maintain my health, engage in fulfilling hobbies, and contribute positively to my community.”

Example 5: Entrepreneur

“To create innovative solutions and provide exceptional value to my customers and my community.”

Example 6: Freelancer

“To deliver outstanding work to my clients while maintaining flexibility and work-life balance.”

Example 7: Community Volunteer

“To dedicate my time and skills to causes that make a meaningful impact in my community.”

Example 8: Environmentalist

“To contribute to a sustainable future through conscious choices and meaningful actions.”

Example 9: Artist

“To express my creativity, tell compelling stories, and touch the lives of others through my art.”

Example 10: Innovator

“To think critically, explore new possibilities, and develop groundbreaking solutions for the future.”

Top-20 Examples of Personal Mission Statements:

• To live a life of purpose and make a positive impact on the world around me.
• To constantly learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and inspire others to do the same.
• To be a compassionate and empathetic listener, and provide support to those who need it.
• To live a life of integrity and honesty, and always act with kindness and respect towards others.
• To use my creativity and innovation to solve problems and bring new ideas to the table.
• To make a difference in my community and give back to those in need.
• To be a role model for others, especially young people, and inspire them to pursue their dreams.
• To live a life of balance, and prioritize my relationships, hobbies, and passions alongside my work.
• To be a leader who empowers others and helps them reach their full potential.
• To embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
• To live a life of mindfulness and presence, and appreciate the beauty of the world around me.
• To be a responsible and ethical citizen, and contribute to the betterment of society.
• To be a lifelong advocate for social justice and equality.
• To be a positive force in the lives of those around me, and spread joy and positivity wherever I go.
• To be a lifelong learner and teacher, sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.
• To be a steward of the environment, and work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
• To be a supportive and loving partner, parent, and friend.
• To prioritize my physical and mental health, and encourage others to do the same.
• To be a lifelong learner and seeker of truth, always questioning and challenging my own beliefs.
• To be a champion for diversity and inclusion, and celebrate the unique qualities of every individual.

As you embark on this journey of self-discovery and reflection, it’s important to remember that a great mission statement should resonate deeply within you and help to shape your decisions and actions. Keep in mind these key points when crafting your statement:

• Be genuine and authentic
• Keep it concise and focused
• Reflect your core values and purpose
• Use clear and inspiring language

As you work on your statement, be open to revising it over time. Your life experiences and evolving goals may call for adjustments, so ensure that it remains a relevant reflection of your aspirations. With your personal mission statement in hand, you can now approach your life and decisions with a sense of purpose and direction.

• Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
• Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

55 Personal Mission Statement Examples

A personal mission statement defines your purpose. It explains what you want to achieve in your life, career, personal relationships, and so on.

It differs from a career or educational mission statement because it’s more holistic: it’s not just about your job or school. It’s about what you want to achieve with your life overall. and what your personal philosophy is in life .

Here is my personal mission statement:

“I will be generous with my time both with family and strangers. I will consciously and intentionally spend quality time with my parents, my wife, and my children. I will pass-on love of life and self-belief to my children by living as a positive example. I will commit my career to working on projects that are meaningful to me. And I will be responsible with my health and finances for the longevity of my life and to ensure I can care for my family for many years to come.”

When I was asked to write a personal mission statement for applying for my job as a teacher, I tweaked it to focus more on my career:

“My personal mission statement as a teacher is to inspire and support my students, help them see their own potential, and build them up each and every day. I will commit my time to letting each student know they are capable of success, and I will help show them the path to personal and academic success.”

Below is a range of ideas for a personal mission statement. As the mission statement is personal, I recommend using these ideas as inspiration, but make sure you pick and choose the sentiments that are meaningful to you, and write your own.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

The following examples can be used as stimuli for you to think about what you want to include in your own mission statement. But, as the word suggests, a personal mission statement should be personal and unique to you . So, pick and choose key ideas from below, while coming up with your own mission statement that reflects your uniqueness.

• Live a life that aligns with my core values : “I will strive to live a life that is consistent with my own values and ethics. To achieve this, I will ensure I reflect every day on how my daily actions and interactions with others will reflect upon me, and whether they’re consistent with who I strive to be.”
• Seek to be a catalyst for change: “I will dedicate my life to being a catalyst for change in my world. The change I want to see is change toward greater social equality, fairness, and prosperity. To achieve this, I will advocate for the disadvantaged, seek career opportunities for supporting the underprivileged, and donate generously to causes I care about.”
• Commit to a journey of self-discovery: “My daily mission is to embark on an ongoing journey of self-improvement and self-discovery, always on track to find my deeper purpose in life.”
• Empower myself and others: “I will always strive to empower myself and others through positive affirmation, constructive feedback, and making smart choices. I will remove barriers to self-determination and always respect people’s choices in life.”
• Seek opportunities to give back to the community: “I am grateful first and foremost to my community for their support and nourishment, and my personal mission from here on out is to find opportunities where I can give back to my community in both my career and volunteerism.”
• Strive for excellence in all endeavors: “ My credo is to always hold myself to a high standard. To me, this means always putting in maximum effort and trying to be the best I can be each and every day.”
• Always have a growth mindset: “My core mission is to always maintain a growth mindset each and every day. For me, this means embracing challenges rather than shying away from them, having persistence and resilience when I face setbacks, and viewing effort as a pathway to mastery. “

• Aim to leave a meaningful legacy: “At the end of my life, I want to be able to look back and know that I’ve left a legacy for the world and my family. To achieve this, my mission will be to always give more to the world than I take, so I leave the world better off. I will leave a legacy of kindness and a spirit of service and community.”
• Continually redefine personal goals and aspirations: “I believe that a person is most successful when they self-reflect to achieve ongoing improvement. So, in my personal mission, I am committed to the ongoing process of personal evolution that will help me continue to refine myself over time. “
• Seek the silver lining: “The silver lining is the positive that we can extract out of every situation, even our failures. With this in mind, my mission is to cultivate optimism and to focus on what can be learned from every situation. This approach will both enhance my personal resilience and inspire others to adopt a similar perspective.”
• Develop resilience, adaptability, and grit in the face of adversity: “My mission is to develop and embody qualities of resilience, adaptability, and grit. I am determined to approach adversity as an opportunity for growth, learning to navigate through challenges with grace and tenacity. In doing so, I will become stronger and more capable.”
• To be generous with my time: “I will be generous with my time because I believe my time is the greatest gift I can give to others. This means I will commit to quality time with my friends and family and make sure I maintain a work-life balance so I can commit my time to the people who deserve it.”
• Empowering people around me: “My mission is to empower the people around me, including my colleagues at work, my friends, and my family. By empowering others, I can bring out the best in my community, and leave my community a better place.”
• Living with gratitude: “I will commit to expressing gratitude each and every day of my life. To do this, I will commit to meditating, reflecting on what I have, and being grateful for my health, wealth, and family.”
• Develop wisdom : “My mission is to continue to develop wisdom. To me, wisdom is knowledge, intelligence, and insight developed through experience and humbly listening to people who have knowledge and experiences beyond mine.”
• Seek authentic self-expression: “My mission is to express myself authentically , reflecting every day on how my words, actions, and creations align with my core values. This journey towards authenticity is ongoing and evolving, helping me understand and articulate who I truly am.”
• Change what’s in my control: “I pledge to focus my energies on what I can control in my life. I will strive to change my circumstances when possible, and adapt my attitude when it isn’t. By understanding and accepting this distinction, I will bring about the most positive outcomes for myself and those around me.”
• Creating harmony between mind-body-soul: “I am committed to fostering harmony between my mind, body, and soul. This means balancing mental challenges with physical exercise and spiritual nourishment, nurturing every part of my being, and achieving a healthier and more balanced life.”
• Cultivate emotional intelligence : “I am committed to nurturing my emotional intelligence. This involves understanding my own emotions, demonstrating empathy, and adapting my attitude when necessary, leading to stronger and more effective personal and professional relationships.”
• Foster innovative thinking: “My mission is to foster innovative thinking. I will strive to always question, explore, and reimagine the world around me, aiming to leave a legacy of creativity and change.”
• Live sustainably and promote environmental consciousness: “I pledge to live sustainably, focusing my energies on what I can control to reduce my environmental impact. Moreover, I will advocate for environmental consciousness within my community, contributing to a healthier planet.”
• Encourage diversity and inclusivity in my surroundings: “My mission is to promote diversity and inclusivity. I will strive to empower all voices and create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued, thereby fostering a sense of community and belonging.”
• Be a mentor and guide to others: “I will dedicate my time to mentoring and guiding others. By sharing my wisdom and experiences, I can help others navigate their own journeys, leaving a legacy of kindness and service.”
• Lead with integrity and honesty: “I am committed to leading with integrity and honesty in all endeavors. I will hold myself to a high standard, aligning my actions with my core values and striving for transparency in every interaction.”
• Cultivate a balanced and peaceful lifestyle: “My mission is to cultivate a lifestyle that is peaceful and balanced. I will practice mindfulness, express gratitude for my blessings, and strive to find harmony between my personal, professional, and spiritual life.”
• Maintain physical fitness and promote healthy living: “I pledge to maintain my physical fitness and promote healthy living in my community. I will strive to make smart choices regarding diet, exercise, and self-care, thereby embodying and promoting a vision of holistic health.”
• A lifelong learning mindset: “With a commitment to growth and a spirit of exploration, I will always seek to broaden my knowledge and perspectives. Embracing challenges and viewing effort as a pathway to mastery, I believe learning is an ongoing journey, not a destination.”
• Advocate for social justice and equality: “I am committed to advocating for social justice and equality. I will dedicate myself to being a catalyst for change, promoting fairness, and empowering the disadvantaged, contributing to a more equitable society.”
• Practice mindfulness and presence in daily life: “My mission is to cultivate mindfulness and presence in my daily life. By committing to this practice, I will enhance my emotional intelligence, develop resilience, and foster a deeper connection to the world around me.”
• Enhance personal and professional relationships: “I pledge to improve and deepen my personal and professional relationships. By demonstrating empathy, respect, and honesty, I will foster meaningful connections and contribute to a vibrant, supportive community.”
• Invest in self-care and well-being: “My mission is to invest time and energy in self-care and well-being. Through this practice, I will ensure a balanced life, promote a positive mindset, and prepare myself to better serve others.”
• Strive for financial independence and stability: “I am dedicated to achieving financial independence and stability. By making smart and informed decisions, I aim to create a secure foundation that enables personal growth , adventure, and service to my community.”
• Foster a spirit of exploration and adventure: “I commit to embracing a spirit of exploration and adventure. By welcoming new experiences and fostering curiosity, I will maintain a lifelong learning mindset, and continually evolve as an individual.”
• Practice empathy towards all: “My mission is to cultivate empathy in all my interactions. By striving to understand others’ perspectives, I will empower those around me and contribute to a community rooted in kindness and mutual understanding.”
• Embrace change and maintain flexibility: “I am dedicated to embracing change and demonstrating flexibility. I see change as an opportunity for growth, and I will cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude in the face of evolving circumstances.”
• Nurture a positive and optimistic mindset: “My mission is to cultivate a positive and optimistic mindset. By seeking the silver lining in every situation, I aim to inspire myself and those around me to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.”
• Advocate for the welfare and rights of animals: “My mission is to advocate for the welfare and rights of animals. I will use my voice and actions to promote humane treatment of animals, contributing to a more compassionate and ethical world.”
• Make informed and responsible choices: “I pledge to make informed and responsible choices that align with my values and the greater good. I am committed to reflecting on the implications of my decisions and acting in a way that contributes positively to my community and the environment.”
• Create meaningful connections with people: “I strive to create meaningful connections with people. Through empathy, open-mindedness, and genuine engagement, I aim to nurture relationships that enrich my life and the lives of others.”
• Develop and demonstrate leadership skills : “My mission is to develop and demonstrate effective leadership skills. I strive to lead with integrity, empathy, and resilience, inspiring others to achieve their best and fostering a spirit of teamwork and mutual respect.”
• Seek to understand and respect differing perspectives: “I pledge to understand and respect differing perspectives. I believe that diversity of thought enriches our society, and I strive to promote inclusivity and mutual respect in all my interactions.”
• Foster creativity in myself and others: “My mission is to cultivate creativity in myself and others. I will continually explore new ideas, foster an environment that encourages innovation, and inspire those around me to express their unique perspectives and talents.”
• Commit to the pursuit of knowledge: “I commit to the continuous pursuit of knowledge. By maintaining a curious and open mind, I strive to learn from every experience, deepen my understanding, and contribute to my personal and professional growth.”
• Seek to find joy in the everyday : “My mission is to find joy in everyday moments. I commit to practicing mindfulness, expressing gratitude for the simple things, and cherishing each day as a unique gift.”
• Be a source of encouragement and positivity: “I strive to be a source of encouragement and positivity for those around me. By uplifting others, celebrating their achievements, and offering supportive words, I aim to foster a more compassionate and optimistic community.”
• Pursue a path of continuous learning and development: “I am dedicated to pursuing a path of continuous learning and development. By always seeking to improve, learn, and grow, I aim to better myself and contribute more effectively to my community and the world at large.”
• Prioritize balance in all aspects of life: “I commit to prioritizing balance in all aspects of life. This includes fostering harmony between work and personal time, mental and physical health, and personal desires and community responsibilities, to cultivate a peaceful and fulfilling lifestyle.”
• Strive to be a good listener and communicator: “I aim to be a good listener and communicator. By practicing active listening and clear, empathetic communication, I will strengthen my relationships and foster mutual understanding and respect.”
• Cultivate and express artistic talents: “My mission is to cultivate and express my artistic talents. Through this creative exploration, I aim to express my unique perspectives, contribute to the cultural richness of my community, and inspire others to express their creativity.”
• Strive to make a positive impact on the environment: “I am committed to making a positive impact on the environment. By living sustainably, advocating for environmental consciousness, and influencing positive change, I hope to leave a meaningful environmental legacy.”
• Seek simplicity and contentment: “My mission is to seek simplicity and contentment in life. By valuing the essential, expressing gratitude for what I have, and finding joy in simple pleasures, I aim to cultivate a lifestyle of peace and fulfillment.”
• Develop and foster a spirit of entrepreneurship: “I am dedicated to fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship. By embracing innovation, taking informed risks, and learning from both success and failure, I aim to contribute to economic growth and social impact.”
• Strive for integrity in actions and communication: “I strive to uphold integrity in my actions and communication. By aligning my actions with my values, being transparent, and communicating honestly, I aim to build trust and respect in my personal and professional relationships.”
• Embrace new technologies and innovation: “My mission is to embrace new technologies and innovation. By staying informed about technological advances and integrating them into my work and life, I aim to enhance productivity, creativity, and the quality of life for myself and my community.”
• Cultivate and foster peace and harmony in relationships: “I am committed to fostering peace and harmony in my relationships. By promoting understanding, showing empathy, and resolving conflicts with grace, I aim to create strong, fulfilling, and respectful relationships.”
• Advocate for responsible consumerism: “I pledge to advocate for responsible consumerism. By making informed choices, promoting sustainability, and encouraging others to do the same, I aim to contribute to a healthier planet and a more equitable economy.”
• Care and provide for my family: “My mission is to care for and provide for my family. By being present, offering support, and ensuring their needs are met, I aim to create a nurturing and secure environment for my loved ones.”
• Cultivate self-discipline and good habits: “I commit to cultivating self-discipline and good habits . By maintaining focus, setting realistic goals, and consistently pursuing them, I aim to achieve personal and professional growth.”
• Influence others by my deeds: “I strive to influence others positively through my deeds. By acting with kindness, integrity, and respect, I aim to inspire others to do the same and contribute to a more compassionate and respectful community.”

See Also: How to Write a Values Statement

A personal mission statement for a resume needs to be personalized to you and your unique values and moral, goals, and life circumstances. You may also want to adjust it depending on the context in which you’re using it – i.e. if you’re asked to make a personal mission for work, then it’d likely incorporate elements of your job into it.

Also note that you’re always free to adjust your personal mission statement over time, so create one that’s true to you right now, but be willing to adjust it every few months.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social-Emotional Learning (Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is Educational Psychology?
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is IQ? (Intelligence Quotient)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University

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How To Write A Personal Mission Statement (And 28 Mission Statement Examples)

Do you have a personal mission statement ?

If not, you should.

Early in my career, I was inspired to create one when I worked in public relations for the JCPenney Company.

James Cash Penney, the founder of the once giant retailer, based his business philosophy on one simple personal mission statement: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” — the Golden Rule.

In fact, his first store was called The Golden Rule.

This mission statement permeated every aspect of how Mr. Penney ran his business.

He asked for a “fair remuneration and not all the profits the traffic will bear,” and was the first to call employees “associates,” and he treated them like family.

During the stock market crash in the 1920's, Mr. Penney lost his personal fortune and took a loan against his life insurance in order to pay the associates' salaries.

What Is a Personal Mission Statement?

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One of my favorite quotes from Mr. Penney is this:

“Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals, and I'll give you a stock clerk.”

Mr. Penney understood the value of having goals that reflect your mission and how they can change the course of your life.

His goals for himself and his company were grounded in his personal mission statement of the Golden Rule.

Knowing his mission statement, it was much easier to build his business and remain focused.

Businesses create mission statements to provide purpose and direction for the organization.

But it's as vital for individuals to have a personal mission and a vision for themselves as it is for any business.

A personal mission statement is:

• A tool for making difficult decisions.
• A framework for how you want to live your life and express your life mission.
• A beacon to those around you about the kind of person you are.
• A declaration that motivates and inspires you to stay the course.
• A statement of your values and life priorities.

Creating a personal mission statement forces clarity, helps you define a plan of action, and serves as the foundation for your life goals.

It also helps you identify the underlying reasons for your choices and behaviors and what truly motivates you to make positive change.

As the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , Stephen Covey, says your mission statement is about “defining the personal, moral and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfill yourself.”

Writing down your mission statement on paper makes it real.

Your personal mission statement becomes your own personalized constitution — the basis for life-directing decisions, as well as making daily choices that impact you and those around you.

We put together a mission statement template (pdf) for you to download and print. 

Use the personal mission statement template to write your own clear and concise personal vision for yourself .

Click here to download the template now.

How To Write a Personal Mission Statement

Think of a person in history or in your life whom you admire.

What are the qualities of that person that you would like to emulate?

These qualities can relate to their character , values, achievements, personality , or simply the way they live their lives. 

Consider the specific reasons you admire the person and list those qualities in detail.

Define the type of person you want to become, not just what you want to have or achieve.

This ideal should reflect your core values and your definition of living with integrity.

Consider all areas of your life, as a spouse, friend, employee, parent, etc. and who you want to be in each of those roles.

I find it helpful to write down the phrase, “As an ideal spouse (or friend, parent, etc.), I want to . . . .” Then fill in the end of the sentence with as many outcomes as you wish to become.

For example, you might write: As an ideal spouse, I want to:

• Express my love daily in words, affection, and action;
• Be supportive and attentive to my spouse's needs;
• Work through conflict calmly and in the spirit of compromise;
• Be fully present and emotionally intimate.

This exercise may take some time, but it is well worth the effort beyond its usefulness for your mission statement.

It helps you clarify your personal operating system and reminds you of what you are capable of becoming.

Determine all of your life roles (career, family, community, etc.), and write down a short statement of how you would like to be described in each of those roles.

Think about how you would like the important people in your life to remember you and talk about you.

For example, you might want your boss to say, “He was a man of character and integrity who was a compassionate and inspiring leader and a visionary for our organization.”

This exercise may feel awkward, but no one else has to see it.

It is to help you decide how you want to step into each of the roles in your life and to clarify in concise words how you want others to perceive you.

Write down a personal mission statement for the four fundamental elements of who you are: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

In each of these areas, what is the most important way you want to express yourself?

This may seem confusing, but it's really simple. We tend to go about our lives without considering our goals for our essential being and how we want to direct that ambition.

So with this exercise, see yourself as CEO of each of these four areas. As CEO of your physical life, your purpose might be to treat your body as sacred by practicing fitness, healthy eating, daily affection, and pleasurable physical experiences.

Your plan for your mental life might be to become a life-long learner by expanding your skills, problem-solving, and challenging yourself.

What are the talents and skills you possess that are most important to you and that you actually enjoy?

Part of your personal mission statement should reflect your best aptitudes and strengths, these are what create joy and energy in our lives.

When we spend our time on what we do well and enjoy, our lives not only have meaning but also it has vibrancy.

Make a list of all of your personal and professional talents, aptitudes, and skills — even those you may take for granted, like being a good friend or having the ability to organize well.

Then circle the skills you enjoy or find fulfilling. Focus on these.

Based on everything you outlined above, what are some related goals you want to achieve in your life? Goals are specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound.

As you look at the people who inspired you, the ideal self you've defined, the legacy you want to leave, the aspirations you have for the elements of your life, and the aptitudes you want to enjoy, what are the outcomes you want to achieve for your life?

You might want to create goals for various areas of your life — from your relationships to your hobbies.

Taking into account steps 1-6, begin to write a personal mission statement.

Keep it simple, clear and relatively brief — from a few sentences to a couple of paragraphs.

You can write it as a statement that flows or with bullet points. How you craft it is less important than what you want to express.

The point is you want a statement that will guide you in your day to day actions and decisions, as well as your long-term goals. Try to keep your words positive and affirmative . Focus on what you want rather than what you don't want.

Creating a mission statement is not something you do in a day. It does require introspection, self-analysis, clarity of mind, and often several drafts before you produce it in a final form.

It might take several weeks or even months before you feel really comfortable with your life mission statement. Feeling like your personal mission statement is complete and a concise expression of your innermost values and directions may take a few iterations.

Once you complete it, put it where you can review it daily so it motivates you to honor it in all of your actions and decisions.

You might need to revise it every few years as your life priorities change.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

Here are some personal mission statement examples from around the web. (Sources:  www.d.umn.edu , missionstatements.com , and  msb.franklincovey.com )

My mission is to act as an instrument of positive change in my family, my work and my community. I will utilize all of the talents that God has given me and will participate in all aspects of my life with energy, purpose and gratitude. I will utilize my talents in strategy and administration to ensure that my home is loving and calm, my workplace is productive and positive and my community is responsive and growing. Through this focus I will give more than I take and will provide a positive role model for my children.

My mission in life is to have my own family. I need to remember that what I do now in my life will affect them. Because of this, I try my best to do the right things that will benefit my future. I would someday like to have a large farm with horses where I can help handicapped children. I'd like to work with animals, perhaps even be a veterinarian. Most of all, I want to have time for my family. So today, I will study hard and stay away from things that may hinder my dream from happening .

To find happiness, fulfillment, and value in living, I will seek out and experience all of the pleasures and joys that life has to offer. My core values are not limitations restraining me on this hedonistic quest for fun. Rather, they provide a framework for identifying, pursuing, and achieving those pleasures that last the longest and are the most satisfying. The greatest joy of all is being worthy of the respect and admiration of family, friends, and business associates. 

To remember where I have been and where I will go through maintaining positive relationships with family and friends. To choose the ethical way by making a personal commitment to honesty and integrity. To find peacefulness within myself by looking inward while using my heart to guide my dreams and desires, and my mind to pursue knowledge, creating balance among all of my obligations. To content myself in my surroundings so I will always know where security lies within my life. To build a reputation of being dedicated to every goal I choose to pursue while having successes in both my personal and professional life. To enjoy every moment along this journey finding laughter, love, and happiness with each day that passes. 

To be humble. To say thanks to God in some way, every day. To never react to abuse by passing it on. To find the self within that does and can look at all sides without loss. I believe in treating all people with kindness and respect. I believe by knowing what I value, I truly know what I want. To be driven by values and beliefs. I want to experience life’s passions with the newness of a child’s love, the sweetness and joy of young love, and the respect and reverence of mature love. Finally, to go through life with a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eye.

Here are some additional mission statement examples we've crafted for you:

My mission is to live a life without resentment. I will use my mind and all my talents and skills to keep my life focused on gratitude, love, and forgiveness — to live my best life and to help others do the same. I have no room in my life for negative self-talk, grudges, or for pointless regret. Every morning, my goal is to take another step forward, keeping my mind and heart trained on the present and on the words, “Thank you,” I want everyone in my life to know exactly how they’ve made it better.

My mission in life is to exercise my freedom to think as I choose to think. I choose to see the good in every person and every situation, however painful. No one makes me think or feel anything; I am responsible for my thoughts and feelings, and I choose to remain free, no matter what happens to me. I choose gratitude over resentment and compassion over criticism. I choose hope over despair. I choose to make my life count for something far greater than the space and time it occupies.

My mission in life is to bring joy to others, whether by word or action. I’ll do whatever it takes to make my place in the world better for those I share it with. My life will continue a chain reaction that someone else started and that somehow (for some reason) reached me. I won’t be where it stops, and I'll show others how to keep it going. From me, the chain reaction will reach even more people, who will make it their mission to bring joy and compassion to as many souls as possible.

Here are some examples of short mission statements from famous people and organizations.

9. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou

10. “To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” — Oprah Winfrey, Founder of OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network

11. “I want to serve the people. And I want every girl, every child to be educated.” — Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Prize laureate and activist

12. “Improve lives. The concept of improving lives runs through the center of everything I do.” — Wil Smith, actor 

13. “To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of women around the world.” — Amanda Steinberg, Dailyworth.com

14. “Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” — Google

15. “Build the best product. Cause no unnecessary harm. Use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” — Patagonia

16. “To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” — Tesla

17. “Help people perform better, think faster, and live better.” — Bulletproof

18. “Be the world’s favorite destination for discovering great value and unique selection.” — eBay

Here are some additional short mission statement examples we've created:

19. To create music that helps people struggling with mental illness to feel calm, loved, and in control. I will use my talent and skills to create medicine people can hear and feel. 

20. To write books that help others struggling with the same challenges to know they’re not alone and to know what actions to take to change their lives for the better. 

21. To open a shop that encourages every patron to bring more magic into their lives and to share it with others, with thoughtful and spirit-loving gift ideas.

22. To work as an inspired chef and to prepare meals that help the people in my community explore new flavors, new cultural recipes, and new perspectives.

23. To plant as many new, healthy trees as I can with the time I have and to inspire everyone to be responsible and loving stewards of the earth’s resources. 

24. To create a place where unwanted cats and dogs will be loved and cared for and where they can bring love to patrons who come in for a soothing drink or comfort food. 

25. To create a social media platform that runs on gratitude and compassion — with no room for negative attitudes , narrow mindedness, and self-centered criticism.

26. To be a therapist who makes my clients feel safe and strong enough to say anything, to dig deeper into their own thinking, and to love themselves just as they are.

27. To be a parent who helps my children love themselves, ask for help when they need it, and know what actions and words will help them reach their goals. 

28. To build a legacy that will benefit my children, grandchildren, and beyond and give each of them something good to build on when creating their own. 

Personal Mission Statement Generators

If you’re a fan of online quizzes, you might enjoy using a personal mission statement generator. Answer key questions and the generator uses them to create a clear and cohesive statement that reflects your highest values and goals. 

It’s similar to a mission statement template but is automated and available as either an internet-based tool (or mobile app) or a software download. 

Templates can be overwhelming because you see all the fields you need to fill out. And the thought of then gathering up your answers and distilling them into a powerful sentence or two is daunting enough without considering the time it’ll take to fill in all the blanks. 

A mission statement generator uses a gentler, more interactive approach to engage the user and get them through all the questions as painlessly as possible. 

• The FranklinCovey Mission Statement Builder can help you create the following types — personal, family, team, and values-focused — with its free online tool. 
• LifeCoachesToolbox.com has a Mission Statement & Elevator Speech Generator to help you establish your brand identity and clarify your goals. Choose between the free online version (with ads) or the ad-free download for $39. 

More Related Articles:

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List Of 100 Life Goals To Achieve Before You Die

I hope this article motivates you to get started on your own mission statement.

Crafting this essential document can truly change your life, as it gives you self-defined boundaries and goals that set you on a course for success as you see it to be.

A personal mission statement is something everyone needs but only a few take the time to create — mostly because they don't know how.

Please take a moment to share this post on your preferred social media platform with family and friends who will definitely benefit from this information.

Your good deed can impact thousands of people around the world!

5 thoughts on “How To Write A Personal Mission Statement (And 28 Mission Statement Examples)”

How do I get a copy of Eight Steps to creating You Mission Statement?

Hello Barrie I wonder if you could help me. My daughter is a qaulified doctor, and the most gorgeous girl who has wonderful relationships with friends and family however since she met her boyfriend 4 years ago she has become a shadow of herself. Questioning who she is and deciding that she is the problem in their relationship and she is constantly changing to suit him however it doesn;t seem to be getting any better. She blames her past, not having a significant male figure in her life ; The problem is that her boyfriend is pushing her buttons and making her believe that he loves her and is reasonable and she is ending up the wreck. any advice on what I can do to help her. She says that he cried the other day and said he cant take her outbursts any longer. She got angry cause he stayed out all night and returned home in the morning. his excuse was that he didnt want to disturb her. Please help

Hi Deirdre, I’m so sorry your daughter is in such a difficult relationship. I know you are suffering for her as well. The problem isn’t her past, it’s her current decision to stay with someone who is emotionally abusive. You might suggest she read this post: https://liveboldandbloom.com/11/relationships/signs-of-emotional-abuse She also needs to meet with a counselor to discuss why she is staying in this relationship when it isn’t happy or healthy and how she can get strong again.

This is such a neat idea, and so very helpful. The one that truly got my attention is Consider Your Legacy. That really helps to re-frame our life’s picture, no? Thank you for this!

This is very helpful. Thank you for sharing.

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How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

Tips for writing a declaration of your unique direction or purpose..

Posted June 23, 2021 | Reviewed by Chloe Williams

• A personal mission statement makes clear what one wants to do and how to do it, which can provide clarity on how to live a fulfilling life.
• To gain clarity on their mission, people can ask themselves questions, such as what impact they want to have and what makes them feel alive.
• People can also reflect on the values that drive them and their goals in the shorter and longer term, which should align with their mission.

A personal mission statement is a written declaration of our unique direction or purpose. This statement makes it clear not just what you intend to do in this world, but how you intend to do it. It's sometimes just one sentence, but it can be as long as you want.

Each of us has our own unique core values , purpose, and desired direction, but often we don’t know exactly what they are. That’s why we can benefit from having a mission statement—something that gives us clarity about how we want to live our lives and ultimately achieve personal fulfillment and well-being. Writing a mission statement can help us get clear on our values and better understand whether we are spending our time in the best ways. It can also provide a sense of inner stability during times of change (Searight & Searight, 2011).

What’s Your Personal Mission?

Many of us have spent little time thinking about our personal mission in life. We're too busy dealing with immediate, urgent tasks to think about what we want to do in this life and where we want to end up. As a result, we might feel this low level of discontent—we know the way we are living our lives is not making us happy, but we’re not sure why. Thinking about our mission can be one way to begin to resolve this discontent.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to explore your mission:

• What impact do you want to have in the world?
• How do you want to make an impact?
• Who do you want to have an impact on?
• What makes you feel most happy and alive?

Answering these questions can help you gain more clarity on your life’s mission. ​

Tip: Think of the End and Work Backward

Another way to gain more clarity on what you want to do in life is to think about the end of your life and what you hope to have accomplished. Then, work backward. Some people have suggested that we could imagine attending our own funeral. Think about what would be said in the eulogy and whether it reflects your values and personal goals (Searight & Searight, 2011). If you find that the eulogy of today's version of you isn't what you really want, clarify for yourself what you do want and consider how your mission statement may guide you to that end goal.

What Are Your Values?

Next, ask yourself, what are your values? That is, what are the underlying personality traits , beliefs, or experiences that drive you and make you feel like you?

Some values might be love, freedom, creativity , kindness , adventure, loyalty, etc...

Make sure that your mission reflects these values so that you don’t end up pursuing a goal in ways that are not a good fit for your values. This way, you'll have a better chance of feeling more fulfilled as you strive to achieve your mission.

What Are Your Goals?

In addition to your values, it can be helpful to get even more clear on your goals. It can be easy to focus on short-term goals, but thinking about medium-term and long-term goals can help you make sure your short-term goals don’t lead you astray.

Ask yourself a few quick questions about your goals:

• What do you want to have accomplished in one year? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years?
• Where do you want to be in one year? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years?
• How do you want to be spending your time in one year? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years?

Take a moment to think about your short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals like a pathway. Ask yourself, how will your current goals lead to medium-term goals, and how will those lead to your longer-term goals?

Write Your Personal Mission Statement

Sometimes a personal mission statement is just one sentence. In that case, it could be:

To do [X Action] for [Y group of people] to [have Z impact] with [optional: other details].

It’s okay to revise, rewrite, or make it longer. For most of us, creating a personal mission statement takes some work. This process doesn't have to be a "one and done." In fact, it is quite common for personal mission statements to change and evolve over time, just as we do (Li, Frohna, & Bostwick, 2017).

Adapted from an article published by The Berkeley Well-Being Institute .

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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The Ultimate Guide to Writing Your Own Personal Mission Statement

Mar 10, 2020 | Blog

by Andy Andrews

If you’ve been on this planet long enough to work for a business or buy something from a business, you’re aware that just about all of them have one thing in common…

They have a mission statement.

While many of them are bland or miss the mark, there’s a reason why nearly every business has one.

Mission statements help businesses stay aligned with the values they find most important and ensure they’re staying focused on the way they want to impact the world. They can also help attract customers who share the same values.

So if mission statements are so critical that businesses often spend hundreds of hours crafting and fine-tuning them, why do so few people take the time to create their own personal mission statement?

The #1 Tool for Making Tough Decisions

A personal mission statement creates boundaries that allow you to play freely, create freely, and deal freely.

Everything you do—your investments of time, money, and relationships—should fit within the boundaries of that mission statement.

Boundaries, of course, aren’t the first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think about freedom. But they’re essential if you want to avoid distractions and free yourself up to focus on the things you find most important.

Consider this: a personal mission statement that sets clear boundaries is the number one tool for making tough decisions.

Because once you have set the boundaries for what you will and won’t accept in your life, when something comes up that is outside those boundaries, you don’t even have a decision to make. It’s that simple.

Many people spend so much time deciding whether they’re going to do something.

Is this good? Should I do it or not? What if I don’t do it?

They run it by everyone they know. They lose sleep over it. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Living your life according to a mission statement is a more narrowly focused version of living your life according to principles.

Once you declare your mission statement, you begin living it. You don’t have to consider much outside it. The statement can be as long or as short as you like. Here’s mine for myself and my business:

My mission is to help others live the lives they would if they only knew how.

I spent a great amount of time thinking about that mission statement. It is the culmination of years of prayer, study, and experience.

5 Questions You Must Answer When Writing Your Personal Mission Statement

I created an in-depth worksheet that makes writing your personal mission statement much easier. It has templates, detailed instructions, and suggested next steps — download at the bottom of this page.

A meaningful personal mission statement isn’t something you can just pull out of thin air. There are, however, questions you can begin asking yourself every day that will move you closer to creating one:

1.  What is important?  What/whom do you value? How is your life connected to those things?

2.   Where do I want to go?  You can answer this many different ways. Your answer may involve a spiritual, mental, or physical destination. It might describe your career arc.

3.   What does “the best” look like for me?  Describe your best possible result. This isn’t the time to be realistic. This is the time to dream.

4.   How do I want to act?  How do you want people to describe you? Think of a few words you would want to come to mind when people think about you.

5.   What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind ? Imagine you’re 100 years in the future. What does the impact you’ve left look like? How is your  Butterfly Effect  still touching lives? Write down your answers to these questions and revisit them often. As you continue thinking about them, start giving your personal mission statement a shot. A few guidelines:

Keep it short.   You want this to be something you can sum up in a single sentence. Remember, this is about focusing your life on what matters most! Boundaries will help you keep that focus.

Don’t forget about others.  Yes, this is a  personal   mission statement, but it should be just as much about the people you want to impact as it is about yourself. Make sure that shows.

Share it with the most important people in your life.  Get feedback from your spouse, your mentors, and any other important people in your life. They can provide you with invaluable insight.

It’s OK to make changes . As you grow and continue learning, your mission might evolve. That’s natural. As long as you’re staying true to the mission you know you were put here to  accomplish , you can’t go wrong.  

Personal Mission Statement Examples

Finding the perfect wording for your mission statement can be a challenge.  To give you some inspiration, here are some examples readers have shared with me:   “To inspire positive change through teaching and coaching.”   “To create opportunities for today’s youth.”   “To encourage, engage, and equip others to believe in the possibilities.”   “To positively impact the life of every person I meet.”   “To encourage everyone I interact with on a daily basis.”   And, of course, my personal mission statement…“ To help others live the lives they would if they only knew how.”

How to Determine If Something Is Aligned with Your Personal Mission Statement

I know that if a certain activity—what I’m learning, doing, reading, watching, or becoming—begins to steer me outside the mission I’ve established, I “grab the wheel,” regain the focus I lost there for a moment, and get on down the road I already decided to travel. I’ll give you an example…

Early on in my speaking career, when finances were very tight, I had been offered a deal from a very famous beer company to put a sign behind me when I was performing on college campuses. The offer they had made was more money than we had made in the previous two years combined, but  I didn’t agonize over whether to accept or decline. 

Heck, I never even considered it. I already decided several years earlier that I would not advertise alcohol or cigarettes. There were (and are) several reasons for this decision and though I hadn’t written a personal mission statements at that point, I had already established principles about how I was going to run the business and my lives. For many people, this might have been a difficult choice. But when you’ve already decided what you stand for, what your life is about, and what you will or will not do, you no longer need to weigh pros and cons when an offer arrives out of the blue.  The hard work was done long ago . If something isn’t as clear-cut from the beginning and you do need to deliberate, consider the following questions to determine if it’s aligned with your mission statement: Is this opportunity/request/project:

• Part of who I am?
• Part of who I am working to become?
• Part of my purpose in life?

When God puts a vision in your life and puts dreams in front of you about where you’re going to go in life, how you’re supposed to live, and the   impact   you’re intended to have on this earth, he’s not fooling around. God doesn’t change his mind. God does not teach you to swim just to let you drown. And when you ask good questions (like the ones above), you discover what   really   fills your life with a sense of passion, purpose, and direction.

Bonus: Family Mission Statements

I think it’s absolutely necessary to have a mission statement for yourself and for your business, but even more so for your family. In the past, I’ve been hesitant to reveal my family’s mission statement because I never wanted to impose mine on anyone else. It is important for your family to think through your own. Carefully consider each word and phrase. Know why they belong. Our family’s mission statement should not be a template. Instead, use it as inspiration—a gift from me—a glowing ember upon which to build the flames of your own process. Here it is:

In the Andrews family, our mission is to arise each day with grateful hearts and smiling faces, determined to glorify, serve and trust in God. We live by the highest standards of moral character and integrity. We love, respect, encourage and defend each other. And we’re noble stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

Polly, the boys, and I sat down and asked ourselves the same questions I listed earlier:

What is important?

Where do we want to go?

What does “the best” look like for us?

How do we want to act?

What is the legacy we want to leave behind?

Over the course of several weeks, we crafted the mission statement we finally declared ours. Today, every visitor in our home sees the statement we have made as to what our family is about. Most stop and read it, for The Andrews Family Mission Statement is framed and hanging in our front hallway. It makes life more intentional for Polly and me, but it is also transforming how our boys think and act. Whenever we are faced with a decision—individually or collectively—we refer to the mission statement to make sure what we choose is congruent with who we are and who we are becoming as a family. I urge you to work on your own mission statement. Not only does it provide clarity and direction for your purpose in life, it also helps you face every decision with calm and resolve, knowing in advance that what you choose will always be the best choice for you and your family.  Question: What are some of the values that you will include in your personal mission statement?

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Use This Free Worksheet to Create Your Own Personal Mission Statement

Ready to get started? It may seem like a long, difficult process, but it isn’t as hard as it seems. To help out, I created a detailed worksheet with templates for creating your personal mission statement—it helps you take what’s in your head, put it on paper, and implement it immediately.

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How to Write a Mission Statement: Your Complete Guide

Did you know that 80% of consumers are more likely to trust and engage with brands that have a clear mission? This statistic highlights the immense impact a well-defined mission statement can have on your business. It’s not just a collection of words; it is a powerful tool that communicates your business's purpose, values, and aspirations. When crafted thoughtfully, it establishes an emotional connection with your target audience, showcasing your commitment to making a difference in their lives. By expressing your company's core beliefs and goals, writing a mission statement creates a sense of trust and loyalty among customers. It sets you apart from competitors and resonates deeply with individuals who align with your values, fostering long-term relationships.

How to Write a Mission Statement: Short Description

In this article, we will delve into the importance of how to create a mission statement that captivates your audience, inspires your team, and propels your business toward success. Not only will you gain valuable insights into the importance of a well-defined mission, but you'll also discover a sample mission statement and expert tips to help you craft your own. Prepare to witness the transformative power of a well-crafted piece as we unlock its potential together.

What Is a Mission Statement: Unraveling the Meaning and Purpose

A mission statement is a concise yet powerful statement that captures the essence of what an organization aims to achieve. Think of it as the heart and soul of a company, outlining its purpose and direction in a meaningful way. A well-crafted statement not only serves as a beacon for the organization's actions and decisions but also communicates its values and aspirations to its stakeholders.

Compared to a vision statement that outlines the company's future aspirations and long-term goals, a business's mission statement answers the fundamental question, 'Why does this organization exist?' It goes beyond the mere pursuit of profit and delves into the deeper impact the organization wants to make in the world. It reflects the organization's unique identity, its target audience, and the value it seeks to provide. Whether it's a multinational corporation, a non-profit organization, or a small start-up, this statement defines its identity and shapes its strategic choices.

As our essay writing service suggests, an effective mission statement is memorable and inspiring. It should resonate with both employees and customers, creating a sense of purpose and unity. When employees understand and believe in the mission, they become more engaged and motivated, working towards a common goal. For customers and stakeholders, a compelling statement establishes trust and loyalty, as they can align themselves with the organization's values and aspirations.

Why is Mission Statement Important: Illuminating the Value

One key reason why writing a mission statement is important is that it establishes a strong sense of purpose. It goes beyond the surface-level goals and objectives and delves into the deeper meaning behind the organization's existence. A well-crafted statement communicates the organization's core values, its unique contribution to society, and the positive impact it aims to make. This sense of purpose fosters a greater sense of motivation and dedication among employees, as they can connect their individual roles to the larger mission.

Furthermore, it serves as a unifying force within the organization. It brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skills under a common vision. By aligning everyone towards a shared goal, it promotes collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. Employees understand the organization's mission and values, which helps create a cohesive culture that drives performance and success.

According to our paper writing service online , such statements also play a crucial role in building trust and loyalty among customers and stakeholders. In today's competitive landscape, consumers are increasingly seeking out organizations that align with their own values and beliefs. A clear and authentic mission statement allows customers to connect with the organization on a deeper level, fostering trust and loyalty. Stakeholders, such as investors and partners, are also more likely to engage with organizations that have a well-defined mission, as it demonstrates a clear direction and purpose.

Lastly, this piece provides a framework for decision-making. When faced with strategic choices, organizations can refer back to their mission statement to ensure their actions align with their core values and long-term objectives. It acts as a guiding principle, helping organizations stay focused and make informed decisions that are in line with their overall mission.

Sample Mission Statement

Here, we have prepared a sample mission statement to showcase what a proper and impactful piece looks like.

Tired of Mission Statements That Put Your Audience to Sleep?

Let's craft a captivating and purpose-driven narrative that will leave your competitors wondering, 'How did they do that?'

How to Write a Mission Statement: Simple Guide

Crafting a company's mission statement is a crucial step in defining its purpose and direction, so we've put together a simple guide to help you navigate the process. Experts from our dissertation writing services will walk you through the key elements to consider, from capturing your unique identity to creating a concise yet compelling statement.

• Discover Your Company's Purpose and Services

To create a meaningful mission statement, take the time to delve deep into your organization's purpose. Reflect on the core values and beliefs that drive your company. Consider the services or products you offer and the impact they have on customers. What sets your organization apart? By understanding your purpose and services, you can articulate a statement that captures the essence of your business and resonates with your target audience.

• Unveil the Company's Winning Methods for Achieving Its Goals

Identify the unique approaches and strategies that contribute to your organization's success. These winning methods can be related to your company's operations, marketing, customer service, or any other aspect that sets you apart from competitors. It could be your commitment to innovation, your focus on customer satisfaction or your dedication to continuous improvement. By highlighting these winning methods, you showcase your organization's strengths and reinforce your commitment to achieving your goals.

• Explain How Your Business Serves Its Customers

When crafting your mission statement, it is essential to focus on how to write a mission statement that clearly communicates how your business serves its customers. Highlight the value you provide and the specific problems you help solve for your target audience. Emphasize the benefits customers can expect from your products or services, showcasing how your organization goes above and beyond to understand and meet their needs. By effectively articulating how you serve your customers, you demonstrate your dedication to their success, which ultimately builds trust and fosters long-term loyalty. Additionally, exploring various business essay topics can provide valuable inspiration and insights for refining your statement and enhancing your overall business strategy.

• Explain How Your Business Serves Its Employees

In addition to customers, the statement can address how your business serves its employees. Highlight the company culture and values that shape your organization. Consider the support, opportunities, and benefits you provide to your team members. Showcase your commitment to their growth, well-being, and job satisfaction. By recognizing and valuing your employees, you create a positive work environment, foster loyalty, and attract top talent.

• Revise the Mission Statement for Improved Impact

Once you have a draft of the statement for your assignment on business management , take the time to review and revise it for improved impact. Ensure that it is concise, clear, and easy to understand. Remove any unnecessary jargon or technical terms that may alienate or confuse readers, keeping in mind that your audience may not be familiar with industry-specific language. Aim for simplicity and clarity to make your mission statement accessible to all. Seek feedback from key stakeholders, such as employees and customers, to gain different perspectives and make necessary revisions.

Tips for Writing a Mission Statement

By following the unique tips below, you can create a mission statement that captures the essence of your organization and resonates with your audience, setting the stage for success.

• Be Authentic : Craft a statement that reflects the true essence of your organization. Focus on your unique strengths, values, and purpose rather than trying to imitate others.
• Think Long-Term : Consider the long-term vision of your organization when writing your mission statement. Look beyond immediate goals and aim to capture the enduring impact and legacy you aspire to create.
• Involve Stakeholders : Seek input from key stakeholders, including employees, customers, and partners, to gain diverse perspectives and ensure your statement resonates with those it impacts.
• Use Clear and Concise Language : Aim for clarity and simplicity in your mission statement. Use language that is easily understood by a wide audience and avoid unnecessary jargon or complex terms.
• Focus on the 'Why' : Articulate the core purpose and driving force as to why your business exists. Explain why you do what you do and the positive impact you aim to make in the world.
• Highlight Your Unique Value Proposition : Clearly communicate what sets your organization apart from others in your industry. Showcase the unique value and benefits you provide to customers or stakeholders.
• Make It Action-Oriented : Use dynamic and action-oriented language in your mission statement. Convey a sense of determination and commitment to achieving your goals and making a difference.
• Inspire Emotion : Craft a statement that evokes emotion and resonates with your target audience. Appeal to their aspirations, values, and desires, making them feel connected to your organization's purpose.
• Consider Visual and Verbal Branding : Align it with your brand identity. Consider incorporating visual and verbal elements that reflect your brand, making it instantly recognizable and memorable.
• Continuously Evaluate and Evolve : For writing a good mission statement, regularly review and assess it to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with your organization's growth and changing circumstances. Adapt it as needed to reflect new goals, values, or market trends.

Mission Statement Examples

Here are the short introductions and examples of mission statements for additional companies:

• Amazon 'To be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online.'

Amazon's statement highlights its dedication to customer satisfaction. They strive to provide a wide selection of products and a seamless online shopping experience, with a strong focus on meeting customer needs and preferences.

• Google 'To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.'

Google's statement emphasizes its commitment to organizing and providing access to information globally. They aim to make information universally available and useful to users worldwide through their search engines and other digital services.

• Nike 'To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.)'

Nike's statement emphasizes its dedication to inspiring and innovating in the realm of athletics. They strive to encourage everyone, regardless of their abilities, to embrace a sporting mindset and achieve their full potential.

• Patagonia 'Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.'

Patagonia's statement highlights its commitment to producing high-quality products while minimizing its environmental impact. They aim to leverage their business to not only inspire change but also actively contribute to finding solutions for environmental challenges.

• Microsoft 'To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.'

Microsoft places its mission statement focus on empowerment through technology. They aim to provide individuals and organizations with the tools and resources they need to accomplish their goals and unlock their full potential.

Personal Mission Statement: Paving the Way for Effective Leadership

Creating a personal mission statement goes beyond mere goal-setting. It delves into the deeper motivations behind your aspirations, answering fundamental questions such as 'Who am I?', 'What do I stand for?' and 'What impact do I want to make in the world?'. It encapsulates your unique identity and vision, offering a sense of purpose and meaning to guide your journey.

Writing a personal mission statement involves self-reflection and introspection. It requires an introspective exploration of your values, strengths, and long-term goals. By examining your passions, talents, and the positive contributions you want to make, you can articulate a statement that resonates with your authentic self.

A well-crafted personal statement serves several purposes. It provides clarity and focus, reminding you of your priorities and guiding your choices. It acts as a source of motivation and inspiration, fueling your drive and determination to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. It also serves as a tool for self-accountability, helping you stay true to your values and principles.

While a personal mission statement is highly personal and unique to each individual, it can evolve over time as you gain new experiences, insights, and perspectives. Regularly revisiting and refining your piece ensures that it remains aligned with your evolving self and continues to guide your growth and fulfillment.

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement: Effortless Steps

In this section, we will walk you through the effortless steps on how to write a personal essay with a mission statement that resonates with your true self and propels you towards a life of fulfillment and achievement, even amidst the demands of tackling economics essay topics .

• Reflect on your life purpose : Start creating a personal mission statement reflecting on your life purpose and what gives your everyday life meaning. Consider the overarching reason for your existence and the impact you want to make in the world. Explore the values and principles that guide your choices and actions, and identify how you can align your personal mission with your life purpose.
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses : Take an inventory of your strengths, talents, and skills. Identify the areas where you excel and the unique qualities that set you apart. Similarly, acknowledge your weaknesses and areas for improvement. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you create a statement that leverages your strengths and addresses areas that need growth.
• Clarify your long-term vision : Envision your ideal future and the person you want to become. Define your long-term goals and aspirations across various aspects of your life, such as career, relationships, personal growth, and contribution to society. Your personal statement should align with this long-term vision and guide you toward its realization.
• Consider your passions and interests : Explore your passions, hobbies, and areas of genuine interest. Identify the activities or causes that truly ignite your enthusiasm and bring you joy. Integrating your passions into your piece ensures that you lead a purposeful and fulfilling life driven by activities that align with your authentic self. ‍
• Identify your core values : Reflect on the values that are most important to you. These are the principles that shape your decisions, behaviors, and interactions. Determine the values that define who you are and that you want to embody in your personal mission. Your statement should reflect your commitment to living a life in alignment with your core values. ‍
• Define your unique contribution : Consider how you can make a unique contribution to the world. Identify the specific ways in which you can utilize your strengths, passions, and values to create a positive impact. Think about how your skills and interests can be harnessed to help others or make a difference in your community or industry. ‍
• Write your mission statement : With the above steps in mind, start writing your personal mission statement. Craft a concise, clear, and inspiring statement that encompasses your purpose, values, strengths, passions, and desired impact. Keep it authentic and true to yourself, expressing your unique aspirations and goals. Revise and refine your statement until it feels genuine and resonates deeply with you. ‍
• Live your mission statement : Once you have finalized writing a personal mission statement, use it as a guiding compass for your daily life. Refer to it regularly to stay focused, make decisions aligned with your values, and pursue actions that contribute to your mission. Continually strive to live in accordance with your mission statement, embracing personal growth and making a positive impact in the world.

By embracing the power of purpose, businesses can set a clear direction, inspire their team members, and engage their customers on a deeper level. Remember, a great mission statement goes beyond a mere string of words; it becomes the guiding force that shapes every decision and action. So, take the time to dig deep, articulate your core values, and envision the impact you want to make in the world. With well-crafted mission statement examples, you have the opportunity to transform your organization into a purpose-driven powerhouse.

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How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

5 Min Read | Dec 27, 2023

You’ve probably seen mission statements everywhere, like walls in company lobbies and inside promotional brochures.

Mission statements define a business or organization’s identity and purpose, and they can go a long way to help a company create a vision for the future.

But did you know you can have a mission statement too? This is called a  personal mission statement , and it could be exactly what you need to identify your goals and find the motivation to accomplish them.

If you don’t already have a personal mission statement, there’s no time like the present to write one. Let’s dive into learning why it’s important and how to write a personal mission statement.

What Is a Personal Mission Statement?

A personal mission statement defines who you are as a person (or as a team member where you work) and identifies your purpose—whether that’s on the job or simply in life. It explains where you see yourself in the future, how you plan to pursue that purpose , and why it matters so much to you.

People fail at what they hope to achieve because they lack clear goals and focus. They get distracted and lose sight of their purpose and who they were made to be. In other words, they ignore their personal mission statement. But a successful person will have a rock-solid vision spelled out in their personal mission statement.

Author and career coach Dan Miller says a good mission statement should include three things:

• Your skills and abilities (what you like to do)
• Your personality traits (how you operate)
• Your values, dreams and passions (why you want to excel)

That’s it! It should be just one or two sentences long and say—in simple terms—exactly what you’re all about without any lofty principles tacked on.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, store manager, college student, business executive or truck driver, crafting a personal mission statement will serve you well in life. Everyone should have one. 

Why a Personal Mission Statement Is Useful

A personal mission statement is important because it helps you focus on your character and figure out  how to meet your long-term goals . It’s like a guidepost for where you want to go in life and who you want to be.

A personal mission statement keeps you from wandering off track. For example, if a decision you’re considering doesn’t fit in the picture of your personal mission statement, you shouldn’t follow through with it. Something may be a cool idea or interesting opportunity, but that doesn’t mean you need to commit to it or even bring it into your life. On the other hand, having a personal mission statement can help you know when it’s time to make a change or take that leap.

I love a good sports visual, so think of it this way: A good mission statement marks what’s in bounds or out of bounds. If your passion is teaching, is it really in the bounds to work a job that doesn’t involve sharing information with people? Be realistic here, and don’t set yourself up for failure.

Writing a personal mission statement seems pretty straightforward. But to do it well, it actually requires a lot of effort and thoughtfulness to create. So take some time to think about and write down how each of Miller’s three areas apply to you. That lays a good foundation for crafting your mission statement.

Want to build a non-anxious life? Learn how in Dr. John Delony’s new book.

Think about your life principles and goals . Why did you set these goals? How do your goals make you a better person or help you improve your career ? The personal mission statement should answer these questions in 50 words or less, so try to get to the heart of who you are and leave out unnecessary details. Don’t worry if your statement doesn’t mirror someone else’s—every statement should be unique because no two people are the same.

Putting Your Personal Mission Statement to Use

Once you have a written mission statement, start using it. Frame it and put a copy in your home or office so you see it often. You want to surround yourself with your own positive attitude.

Not only should you live according to your personal mission statement, but it’s also important that others know about it. You want people to know you’ll live up to what you wrote, so spread the news. Accountability from those closest to you will help you stick to it.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

Speaking of letting people know, our mission statement here at Ramsey Solutions is posted throughout the building, and every team member is required to know it like the back of their hand. It’s why we exist. It goes like this:

“We provide biblically based, commonsense education and empowerment that give HOPE to everyone in every walk of life.”

But that’s a business mission statement. Personal mission statement examples will look a little bit different. Here are a few examples of personal mission statements from successful CEOs in business:

• “I want to be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” — Oprah Winfrey
• “To have fun in [my] journey through life and learn from [my] mistakes.” — Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group
• “To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of women around the world.” — Amanda Steinberg, founder of DailyWorth

And here are a few other mission statements from some well-known nonprofits:

• “Inspiring hope and promoting health through integrated clinical practice, education and research.” — Mayo Clinic
• “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” — Habitat for Humanity
• “PBS empowers individuals to achieve their potential and strengthen the social, democratic, and cultural health of the U.S.” — Public Broadcasting System (PBS)

Take the Next Steps in Writing Your Personal Mission Statement

Ready to start working on your own personal mission statement? Having your purpose written down will add value and productivity to your life, so get started today.

• Then, let the mission statement writing begin. Brainstorm your values and goals to get started. Don’t worry if your first drafts are a little messy!
• Ask people who know you best for their input. Are your values and goals true for you? Having someone proofread your mission statement can make it even better.
• Check out my Get Clear Career Assessment. It’s all done online, so you can take the test and get your results instantly.

Did you find this article helpful? Share it!

About the author

Ken Coleman

Ken Coleman is the author of the national bestselling book From Paycheck to Purpose and the #1 national bestseller The Proximity Principle. He hosts The Ken Coleman Show, a caller-driven show that helps listeners find the work they’re wired to do. Ken also co-hosts The Ramsey Show, the second-largest talk radio show in America, and makes regular appearances on Fox News and Fox Business. Through his speaking, broadcasting and syndicated columns, Ken gives people expert advice, providing strategic steps to get clear on their unique purpose and grow professionally. Learn More.

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How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (With Examples)

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Summary. To write a personal mission statement should first identify your core values and goals and brainstorm on your work and life missions. Be sure to mention professional and personal skills that can be used to achieve your goals. Your personal mission statement should be brief and concise in a single sentence.

Like corporate mission statements, personal mission statements are short overviews of why you do what you do, and they can be effective ways of helping coworkers or potential employers get to know you. They can also focus your work and decision-making, so it’s important to spend some time thinking through your personal mission statement.

In this article, we’ll go over how to write a personal mission statement, some examples of these statements, and how having a personal mission statement can help you at work.

Key Takeaways

A personal mission statement should be one sentence long.

Your personal mission statement communicates the “why” behind your work.

Having a personal mission statement will help you decide what to prioritize and will help you introduce yourself and your values to employers.

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

Personal mission statement template and examples, tips for writing your personal mission statement, what is a personal mission statement, why is it important to have a personal mission statement, where can you use a personal mission statement, personal mission statement faq.

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If you’re having trouble coming up with a personal mission statement, you’re not alone. Though it seems like a simple sentence, personal mission statements contain a lifetime of experience, knowledge, and even soul-searching when done correctly.

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that crafting your own personal mission statement can be not only fun but illuminating. It can help you to identify and clarify the values that have been driving your working life. Here are some steps you can take to write a great personal mission statement:

Brainstorm on your work and life missions. As we’ve discussed, personal mission statements are deceptively compact, and these short statements contain a ton of information on how you navigate the working world.

For many people, we’ve never actually taken the time to think through our views on work and on life in general, or how these views intersect. Take the time to think this through and write down whatever comes up.

Identify your core values and goals. Read through your brainstorm journals, and highlight anything that sticks out to you as one of your key motivating values . This could be anything that drives you to do what you do in this world.

Perhaps you want to help people live safely and comfortably. Maybe you want to expand human knowledge or artistic possibilities. Perhaps you want to make people, or just one person, smile. The possibilities are endless, and it’s all your decision based upon what particular thing you feel called to do in this lifetime.

Recognize the skills you’ll use to enact your values. Each of us has special skills , both professional and personal, that we can use to achieve our goals. Mentioning these skills in your personal mission statement not only gives you an extra chance to show off your strengths but demonstrates that you are determined to use this skill proactively.

Edit for maximum impact. They say the key to excellent writing is packing as much information into as few words as possible, which holds true for a great personal mission statement. Your personal mission statement should be short, sweet, and to the point for maximum effectiveness.

Discuss with peers and mentors. Finally, if you’re still not sure how to write a mission statement acceptable for your contextual purposes, discuss it with your colleagues or professional mentors . You can ask about their personal mission statements, or just for a second pair of eyes on yours.

Personal Mission Statement Template

Your personal mission statement will have to be modified for grammar and syntax based on where and how it is used, but a great personal mission statement will address all of the following points in a single sentence:

What action(s) will you take to affect change?

What skills will you use?

What community or group of people will be affected?

What change do you wish to affect/ what result do you want to have?

It could look something like this:

“To use [skill] to [verb describing your work] [community affected by your work] [desired result of your work]”

However, please keep in mind that this is entirely personal and contextual. If it ends up sounding awkward, you can always rephrase out and take out any parts you like. You can even simplify it to only your desired impact or result.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

To use my creative talents to teach inner-city high schoolers about the ways that art can uplift their spirit and change their perspective.

To bring joy to those around me.

To write stories that remind us of our humanity.

To use my writing skills to increase nonprofit funding and create a more equitable world.

To create a new era of marketing focused on ethics, sustainability, and transparency.

To engineer commercial products that make our lives easier and better.

To bring comfort and attentive care to patients at the end of their lives.

To be happy, healthy, and do no harm.

To create innovative technology that changes the way we live our lives.

To help women of color find success in corporate positions through one-on-one, intersectional consultations.

To never stop learning.

To create software that enhances user security with a streamlined process.

To inform policies that will tackle the climate crisis head-on and save the planet.

To give my clients beautiful, easy-to-use web pages that will help them expand their online businesses.

To use my talents to invest in my community.

To serve as a mentor , apply my values to every decision, and make a difference in people’s lives.

To fight until every child has a free and fair chance at education.

To use my unique gifts.

To keep people informed on global issues and create a more connected world.

To foster a more accessible world with disability-conscious designs.

To create and record beautiful wedding memories for my clients.

To help those around me grow in their talents and use them to better the world.

To provide excellent care to every patient every day.

To bring beauty to the world around me.

To make every child feel like the most important person in the room.

To help my clients live the fullest, healthiest lives possible.

Here are some final tips for crafting your perfect personal mission statement:

Be brief. Keep it as concise as you can in a single, straightforward sentence. It should be easy to remember and immediately clear. If you’d like, you can even narrow it down to three words representing the essence of your statement and sparsely add in words for clarity.

Be honest. The worst way to write a personal mission statement is to say what you think others want to hear, regardless of whether you believe it. Your statement should be a genuine reflection of you, and if it isn’t, it doesn’t serve much of a purpose.

Be open. If you are cynical, be open to the process. It’s okay if this doesn’t turn out to be the best way for you to express yourself, but it can still help figure out what drives you on your deepest level.

Being vulnerable about our deepest drives, motivations, and values can be scary. This is because we’ve been told so often in our lives – both directly and indirectly – that the things we want and value are wrong, or they don’t matter.

Be teachable. Your mission statement can feel highly personal, so it can be difficult to ask for feedback on it. However, you need to have someone you trust read it to check it for errors and to make sure you’re communicating clearly and effectively.

When they do give you feedback, take it graciously and remember that it isn’t a personal attack — they’re just trying to help you.

A personal mission statement, sometimes called a vision statement, outlines your deepest purpose for working. It gives a quick synopsis of your goals and values in your working life, and it can help you make decisions that align with your purpose.

Personal mission statements are typically in the format of a single sentence or short phrase that shows how you define yourself as a person and a member of an organization. It shows, quickly, how and why you work.

Personal mission statements can be used in a variety of ways, both for your own personal benefit and as a way of helping others get to know you. They can be used on resumes , college applications, professional social media profiles, and more.

Even just keeping this statement in mind can help radically shift the choices you make in your work life. This is because personal mission statements also act as a guide for our behavior. Figuring out the right choice in any area of life can be a difficult and time-consuming task, but with your mission statement in mind, the right choice might be a little bit clearer.

Personal mission statements are important because they can help with the enormous task of figuring out your deepest purpose for your work life and choices.

We get it; you may be thinking, “my deepest purpose for working is to make money and survive,” and that’s perfectly fair. You do need to make money to survive in this world, and we aren’t discounting the strong influence that can have on the career decisions you make.

However, the point of a personal mission statement is to, in a small way, carve out the life you want for yourself and the world you want to create. Your personal mission statement isn’t about what you do to put food on the table; it’s about what you would do with your life if money were no object.

For these reasons, a personal mission statement can be incredibly powerful. It’s a short, quippy line that you can easily remember and call upon for big and small choices. It can help you recognize which opportunities and choices will help you achieve your aims and which ones won’t. This is invaluable for creating career boundaries and long-term plans.

Your statement can help you assess anything from whether you fit into a given corporate culture to which projects you can take on, and more.

Successful people are clear on their goals and values, and they have the empowering belief that they can and will create a life for themselves that honors these goals and values. A mission statement is a signifier to those who may work with you that you are determined and clear and won’t settle for lesser choices.

Personal mission statements have several possible applications, whether you’re introducing yourself to someone, making important decisions, or just going about your day-to-day work life. Here are some examples of how to use a personal mission statement in your life:

Starting a new project. Before starting on a new task or project at work, start with your mission. Figuring out the bottom line of why you are about to engage in something helps you complete it more successfully and with a renewed passion. It also helps you to avoid rote ways of doing something in favor of results-focused innovation .

Daily tasks and choices. Even small decisions can be approached more effectively if the “why” is kept in mind from the start. Keeping your statement in mind during work, or even keeping it framed and in sight at your office, helps you feel more fulfilled in your work life and with the tasks you take on. They all have a larger purpose.

Scheduling. Your mission statement can be a wonderful guide for how you spend your day. Keep track of the tasks you do daily and how they contribute to your larger goals. There may be areas where you’re over-exerting time and energy on a task that doesn’t mean that much in the grand scheme of things (or, you may be experiencing the opposite).

Job-hunting. If you’re currently searching for new opportunities, your mission statement can be one of your most powerful guides in deciding what jobs to apply for and take on. Take time to research the company and see if its mission is compatible with yours.

In your resume, cover letter, or portfolio . Your personal mission statement can be worked into your application materials in a few ways. You could include it in your resume summary or objective statement , in the first paragraph of your cover letter , or even in the header of your website.

During interviews. Introducing yourself professionally can be a bit of a task, but a mission statement makes it easy. Using your statement to inform your answers to interview questions helps the interviewer see that you have strong values and integrity .

What is the purpose of a personal mission statement?

The purpose of a personal mission statement is to clearly define your goals and helps outline your purpose for working. A personal mission statement is a short statement that shows how you define yourself as a person and a member of an organization. A personal mission statement should be similar to how a company shares their mission statement.

What should be included in a personal mission statement?

A personal mission statement should include what you want to accomplish and contribute and it should include what you want to be. You want to figure out what your personal and professional goals are first. This will help you determine what your statement will be and what you need to do to accomplish it.

How long should a personal mission statement be?

A personal mission statement should be one sentence. You should not have more than 50 words in your mission statement. Personal mission statements should be kept short and to the point.

James Madison University – Crafting Your Personal Mission Statement

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Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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How To Write a Great Mission Statement (+ 50 examples)

Written by Scot Chisholm

| November 03, 2023

What You’ll Learn

What is a mission statement, what’s the difference between a mission statement and a vision, how to write a mission statement.

• 50 Great Mission Statement Examples
• How I can help you...

How would you grade your mission statement?

The reality is that most employees can’t remember their company’s mission statement. This doesn’t mean that the idea behind a mission statement is flawed – far from it, but it does mean that most people get them wrong… dead wrong. ☠️

In this post, we’re going to dive into what makes a great mission statement and why it’s imperative to get it right. We’ve also included 50 examples of awesome mission statements as a source of inspiration while you work on perfecting yours.

Ready? Here we go…

A mission statement is an organization’s reason for being – its purpose. It answers the question, “Why do we exist?”. If you fast-forward the clock 100 years, your mission statement should be unchanged and still relevant.

Your mission statement should be able to finish this sentence:

We exist to [your mission statement].

Here’s an example from Airbnb:

We exist to [help create a world where you can belong anywhere].

Think of this statement as Airbnb’s “north star.” It’s the ‘why’ behind what they do as a team and company. All activities across the entire organization should align with their mission.

If your mission statement doesn’t align across the org, then something’s off (either the mission or the activities of the organization). Alignment between mission and daily activities is absolutely essential for forward progress and long-term success.

These two are often confused, so it’s worth spending a second on it.

If your mission statement answers the question, “Why do we exist?” then your vision answers the question, “Where are we going?”

Mission statements are directional, but they’re never fully achieved.

The company’s vision, on the other hand, provides clear direction toward a desired outcome. It describes where you want to be in 3, 5, 10, or even 20 years into the future.

And it’s always in full alignment with the mission statement. The mission is the north star, and the vision is the points along the way.

If you want to learn more about creating a company vision, I wrote about it here .

Now that you have a better understanding of what a mission statement is and why it’s crucial for your business, I’m going to show you how to write a great one in two simple steps.

Step 1. Nail the Formula

When you’re creating a mission statement, think of it like a formula:

Mission statement = Benefit + Delivery

• Benefit : What’s the benefit your business is providing to the world?
• Deliver : How will you deliver that benefit?

When you combine both benefit and delivery, it results in a single sentence that explains why you exist as an organization.

Take Google, for example…

Google has a ton of products and services, yet they only need 12 words to drive home their mission. One impactful sentence that explains why they exist as an organization.

Step 2. Nail the Format

Your mission statement should be memorable, repeatable, and inspirational. So, we want to eliminate anything that comes off as vague, wordy, or too corporate.

Think: T-shirt worthy.

It’s badass enough to put on the front of a t-shirt.

To bring this point home, here are three examples of what NOT to do:

Flawed Mission Statement Example 1:

To make a positive impact in the world.

This mission statement example is an admirable goal, but it’s way too vague and tells us nothing about how they plan to deliver this benefit.

Flawed Mission Statement Example 2:

To be the #1 company in our market.

This example is flawed because it’s more of a vision than a mission statement. It’s missing the benefit piece of the equation, resulting in an uninspired phrase (that’s definitely not t-shirt-worthy). Second, it’s missing the delivery piece (the “how”), leaving consumers confused about what your mission actually is.

Flawed Mission Statement Example 3:

“To create a shopping experience that pleases our customers; a workplace that creates opportunities and a great working environment for our associates; and a business that achieves financial success.”

Man, where to even start with this one? First off, it’s way too long. No one will ever remember this rambling sentence, making it not t-shirt-worthy.

Now, to check in with our formula: The benefit is pretty weak and limiting (“pleases our customers” and “great working environment”). And this mission mixes a customer-facing delivery (“creating a shopping experience”) with an employee-facing delivery (“a great working environment”). Overall, it’s way too complex for anyone to remember or care about.

P.S. This one is the food store chain, Albertson’s mission statement 🤯

_______________

Hopefully by now you can see that creating a rock solid mission statement is absolutely doable if you follow these two steps:

• Nail the formula: Mission = Benefit + Delivery
• Nail the format: Make it t-shirt worthy

If you already have a mission statement, that’s ok. Take this information to stress test what you already have. It’s never a bad idea to refine and allow your mission statement to mature with your company.

Do you still need a little inspiration to get started?

I’ve collected a ton of kickass mission statements from top brands across many industries to help get you started!

50 Great Mission Statement Examples:

1. adobe: to change the world through digital experiences., 2. airbnb: to help create a world where you can belong anywhere., 3. amazon: to be earth’s most customer-centric company., 4. american cancer society: to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer., 5. bill and melinda gates foundation: to help all people lead healthy, productive lives., 6. bmw: to provide premium products and premium services for individual mobility., 7. boeing: to connect, protect, explore and inspire the world through aerospace innovation., 8. bp: to provide the energy that powers economic growth and improves lives around the world., 9. coca-cola: to inspire moments of optimism and happiness., 10. coursera: we envision a world where anyone, anywhere can transform their lives through learning, 11. dove: to make beauty a source of confidence, not anxiety., 12. dropbox: to simplify the way people work together., 13. duolingo: to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available., 14. etsy : to keep commerce human., 15. facebook: to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together., 16. ford: to drive human progress through freedom of movement., 17. gofundme: to help people help others., 18. google: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible., 19. ing: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business., 20. instagram: to capture and share the world’s moments., 21. khan academy: to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere., 22. kickstarter: to help bring creative projects to life., 23. lego: to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow., 24. linkedin: to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful., 25. microsoft: to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more., 26. nasa: to discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity., 27. national geographic: to inspire people to care about the planet., 28. nike: to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world., 29. oracle: to help people see data in new ways, discover insights, unlock endless possibilities., 30. patagonia: build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis., 31. pepsico: to create more smiles with every sip and every bite., 32. pinterest: to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love., 33. red bull: to give wings to people and ideas., 34. reddit: to create the most open and interesting platform for all forms of human expression., 35. salesforce: to build bridges between companies and customers., 36. slack: to make people’s working lives simpler, more pleasant and more productive., 37. spacex: to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets., 38. starbucks: to inspire and nurture the human spirit–one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time., 39. ted talks: to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation., 40. tesla: accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy., 41. the nature conservancy: to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends., 42. the red cross: prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors., 43. the walt disney company: to entertain, inform, and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling., 44. toms : to make like more comfortable., 45. tripadvisor: to help people around the world plan and have the perfect trip., 46. twitter: to give everyone the power to create and share ideas and information instantly, without barriers., 47. unicef: ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children, 48. vimeo: to empower creators with the tools they need to share their stories., 49. whole foods: to nourish people and the planet., 50. zoom: make communications frictionless., how i can help you… .

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Mission Statement: What is it & How to Write it? (With Examples)

Remember the dreaded “Where do you want to be 10 years from now?” question they ask during interviews?

Knowing a GOOD answer to this question is important, but not just when you want to crack a job interview. You’ve to know the answer if you’re running a business too – because a business without a mission is doomed to fail.

You probably know where you want your organization to be after 5 or 10 years. But is knowing your mission enough to survive in the market? Unfortunately, no.

You’ve to announce your mission to the world. You have to tell people who you are and what you want to achieve. You’ve to let them know why you’re doing what you’re doing. Loud and clear.

Why? Because when people know what your organization wants to achieve and what your goals are, they’ll be more inclined towards buying from you. That’s what the end goal always is, right?

So, what’s the best way to share your mission with the world? A mission statement! In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about creating a mission statement. Let’s go!

What’s a Mission Statement?

A mission statement is a short, concise statement that is centered around the #1 thing your company wants to achieve. It gets straight to the heart of your organization’s purpose of existence.

These are the four important questions a mission statement answers:

• Why does your organization exist?
• Who does your organization serve?
• What does your organization aim to achieve?
• How will your product or service make people’s lives better?

Simply put, a mission statement is the bedrock of any organization. It tells the world the “what, how, and why” of your organization and gives meaning to all the things that happen within your organization.

A mission statement helps you navigate through your goals and develop strategies to achieve them. Everything you do within your organization has to be aligned with what you have said in your mission statement.

We have often seen the lines between mission and vision statements getting blurred but you can’t afford to mix them up. The present and future of your organization depend on them!

So, let’s break down the difference between a vision and a mission statement!

Mission Statement & Vision Statement: What’s The Difference?

Look, a vision statement focuses on what you want to ultimately become. It’s aspirational. But a vision statement can’t stand alone. You also need to describe how you’re going to turn your vision into reality.

That’s where a mission statement comes into play. This statement paints a picture of what you’re currently doing to achieve your vision. It shows what you do, aka the core of the organization.

For instance, Amazon’s vision statement is: “To be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online.”

And, Amazon’s mission statement is: “ We strive to offer our customers the lowest possible prices, the best available selection, and the utmost convenience. ”

See the difference? Amazon’s vision statement focuses on what they aspire to become in the FUTURE. Whereas, their mission statement is focusing on TODAY and what they’re doing to achieve their vision.

Now, let’s take another example.

Linkedin’s vision statement is: “To create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.” Its mission statement is: “To connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”

Basically, Linkedin’s vision statement describes its aspirations and the wider impact it aims to create while their mission statement answers the question “how?” as in how they are going to make that vision a reality.

In a nutshell, a mission statement is the “ what ” and the “ how ,” and a vision statement is the “ why .” The difference between the two matters more than you think!

Now, picture this:

Your employees are unmotivated and uninspired. No one knows exactly what they need to do. No one knows who’s accountable for what. Your customers don’t know who you are. There is no proper system in place.

Imagine what that can do to a company. Terrifying, right? Well, that’s what happens when you don’t have a solid mission statement. 🙂

A mission statement outlines what you do and what comprises the core of the business. It helps you decide your business objectives, followed by what it will take to reach those objectives.

This short statement acts as a guiding beacon for people within the organization, as well as for the ones outside. This is exactly why you need to make sure that it’s perfect, and we’re going to help you with that.

Read more:   Writing Vision Statement: Definition, Examples, and Best Practices!

5 Tips For Creating An Unforgettable Mission Statement

1. keep it short & sweet.

A mission statement is just that – a statement . It’s not an essay or a blog. It’s a simple, concise, short, and sweet summary of why your organization exists, so keep it that way.

All we’re trying to say, don’t go on and on about the reasons why your organization exists. You need to compile all those reasons into a short statement, or it won’t be as powerful as you want it to be.

2. Think Long Term

You need to put in SO much effort to create that perfect mission statement. You don’t want it to get obsolete the next day you publish it, right? Of course, you don’t!

That’s why, while writing your mission statement, don’t just think about what your organization is doing today, think about what it’ll be doing in the next three to five years too, and then include it.

3. Focus On The “Why”

While writing your mission statement, try to answer these questions: Why does your firm exist? Why it’s doing what it’s doing? Why should people choose you and not someone else?

Compile all these answers into a sentence or two, and your solid mission statement is ready! Always remember, a mission statement is all about the “why”. 🙂

4. Brainstorm With Your Employees

Your employees and the people you work with, know more about your organization than anyone else on earth. They know what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. They know the USPs and weaknesses of your organization.

If you want your mission statement to be A-OKAY, the best thing to do is get your employees involved in the mission statement brainstorming sessions. Because the more, the merrier!

No, it won’t be a hassle at all because Bit.ai lets you and your team effortlessly collaborate on a Bit document in real-time. Everyone can put forth their ideas in the Bit document, review other ideas, and give feedback on them – all at the same time. That’s how robust Bit.ai is! 😎

5. Clearly Demonstrate Your Best Qualities

Your mission statement needs to speak volumes. It might be a teeny tiny sentence, but it casts a long shadow. So make sure that this short statement is packed with every great thing about your organization.

Your mission statement gives you the chance to show what’s so great about you and why people should choose you over others. Do NOT forget to include any aspect of your awesomeness in it.

Yay! You’ve now learned how to create an amazing mission statement. Now, put all these tips and strategies into practice and your mission statement is bound to rock.

Need some inspiration and something to guide you on your way? Let’s go and get it from organizations that are totally rocking their mission statement game.

Read more:   Positioning Statement: Definition, Elements & Examples!

10 Really Inspiring Mission Statement Examples

1. Uber: We ignite opportunity by setting the world in motion.

2. Microsoft: Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

3. The Coca-Cola Company: To refresh the world in mind, body, and spirit. To inspire moments of optimism and happiness through our brands and actions.

4. Nike: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body, you are an athlete.

5. Starbucks: To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

6. Sony: To be a company that inspires and fulfills your curiosity.

7. Ford: To make our cars better, our employees happier and our planet a better place to be.

8. Zappos: To provide the best customer service possible. Deliver WOW through service.

9. Harley Davidson: We fulfill dreams of personal freedom.

10. McDonald’s: To be our customers’ favorite place and way to eat and drink.

Wrapping Up

Your mission statement speaks volumes about your organization. It can literally make the difference between a successful organization and one that no one knows about.

So, follow the tips we’ve given you in this informative guide to mission statements, and we’re sure you’ll end up with the coolest mission statement ever.

Remember, words have a lot of power, especially the words that you use in your mission statement. So make sure that you come up with the best words and the best mission statement. We’re totally rooting for you!

By the way, if you have got any queries or suggestions, hit us up on Twitter @bit_docs and let us know.

Further reads: 

Purpose Statement: What is it & How to Write it?

Problem Statement: What is it & How to Write it?

How to Write a Statement of Work?

Thesis Statement: Definition, Importance, Steps & Tips!

Company Profile: What is it & How to Create it?

13 Business Goals You Must Set In 2022

9 Ways to Improve Work Performance in 2023

Report Writing: Steps, Tips & Tools!

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About Bit.ai

Bit.ai is the essential next-gen workplace and document collaboration platform. that helps teams share knowledge by connecting any type of digital content. With this intuitive, cloud-based solution, anyone can work visually and collaborate in real-time while creating internal notes, team projects, knowledge bases, client-facing content, and more.

The smartest online Google Docs and Word alternative, Bit.ai is used in over 100 countries by professionals everywhere, from IT teams creating internal documentation and knowledge bases, to sales and marketing teams sharing client materials and client portals.

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More Like this

Mission statements, what is a mission statement.

Your mission clearly states why your organization exists. A company’s mission statement helps clearly articulate your core purpose. It is the summation of your organization’s core reason for being, answering the question, “Why are we here?” A mission needs to boldly state why you exist, and what impact you hope your organization has on the world. The best mission statements clearly express these things to your customers in a way that resonates and engages with them.

When developing your strategic plan, it is important to not overlook the foundation of your plan, including your mission statement. Every organization should have one! Crafting a mission statement may be challenging at first, but with the help of our guide, you’ll be well on your way to making your own great mission statement!

Free Canvas & Guide to Creating a Mission Statement

Whether you’re writing a new mission statement or revisiting your old one as part of a strategic planning process, we’ve created a canvas you can use to create a mission statement that inspires your team. Get started on creating your mission statement today, and download our guide for free!

Why Are Mission Statements Important in Strategic Planning?

A good mission statement is a foundational element in any strategic plan because it helps define your organization’s core purpose, serving as a vantage point from which to look down the road. Combined with your vision statement , it helps define why your organization exists and what you stand for.

Mission statements are sometimes confused and grouped with different kinds of foundational statements or forgotten about entirely. Some of the common planning elements that mission statements get mixed up with are vision statements and value statements.

All three are closely linked but serve entirely different functions and roles in your strategic framework. Below, we explain how the vision and values elements compare against a mission statement, and how they can all be used together to complement your mission statement for a strong foundation to your strategic plan.

Mission Statements Versus Vision Statements – The Differences

While a company’s future vision statement describes the organization’s future state, the mission directly relates to the vision by articulating the greater reason why that vision matters. A powerful mission keeps the organization on track and rallies around the direction the organization is headed. Learn how to write your mission statement here .

Mission Statement – Why You Exist

• States why your organization exists and articulates your core purpose.
• Written in the present tense.
• Helps define the area where you play.

Vision Statement – Where You’re Going

• States your organization’s bold vision for the future and why that is important.
• Written in a future tense.
• Helps create the roadmap for the future.

Pro Tip: Language Matters. We always recommend mission statements be written in present tense using concrete language. Writing in present tense allows your mission to be easily deciphered from your vision statement, which is written in future tense . Solid language leaves little room for interpretation of what exactly your mission statement means.

How Your Vision and Mission Statement Informs & Creates Strategy

Mission and vision statements are really two sides of the same coin. Your mission statement tells them where you are and why you exist, while your vision statement describes your desired future state or aspirational impact.

These two elements combine to inform and create your strategy, which is your plan for how to overcome your current and potential future competitors. The mission and vision are essentially your corporate aspirations, and your strategy is your meticulous plan for achieving it. Because these two statements used in tandem define why you exist now and what you aspire to offer in the future, this can make it easier to pinpoint your unique value proposition within the market.

A vision statement also helps you outline the actions and steps you need to take to make your vision a reality. If you can anchor your plan to your mission and vision, you’ll never lose your direction, even if you must pivot your strategy periodically to respond to different market or environmental conditions and customer feedback.

Mission Statement Versus Core Values Statement

As we’ve stated earlier, a business’s mission statement is all about defining the company’s purpose and objectives. It’s a concise statement that outlines what the business is trying to achieve and how it aims to achieve it.

A value statement , on the other hand, is focused on the core values and beliefs that are central to the organization’s culture. While these statements may serve different purposes, they are not in opposition of one another. Ideally, mission and values statements should be created in tandem, as they complement each other quite well.

For example, an organization’s mission statement may be focused on growth and expansion, while its values might include ideals such as honesty and fairness. By combining these two statements, you get a clear picture of what the organization hopes to achieve and how it aims to do so, while also highlighting the values it holds dear.

Mission Statements – Why You Exist

• Are usually written in the present tense.

Values Statements – How You’ll Live Out Your Mission

• Clarifies what your organization stands for, what it believes in, and how you expect your team to behave.
• Are typically written in present tense.

How Your Mission and Value Statements Complement Each Other

Value statements are the guiding principles your organization has chosen to live by, which give direction to the company culture and behaviors. Core values help businesses remain true to their mission and purpose by providing a framework for decision-making and actions.

A mission statement provides a sense of direction, whereas values give employees a sense of pride and purpose in working to achieve that mission. So, while your mission statement helps to guide the direction of your company, your value statement creates the behaviors that keep you in line with your mission.

Together, these statements complement one another and form a solid foundation for any successful organization. The mission statement outlines the company’s primary objectives, while the core values ensure that the company is meeting its goals the right way. By aligning a organization’s mission statement with its core values, everyone involved in the company, from the management down to the customers, can easily understand its objectives and what it stands for.

Mistakes to Avoid When Drafting Your Mission Statement

Crafting the perfect mission statement can be challenging and potentially lead to pitfalls when not approached carefully. Here are some mistakes to avoid when creating a mission statement:

Being Too Vague or Generic

It’s important to make sure you’re writing a mission statement that is unique to your organization and sets you apart from your competitors. Avoid generic and bland statements like “highest standards” or “quality customer service delivered.” Instead, explain what those statements would mean in the context of your organization.

Pro Tip: You may also want to avoid phrases that feel particularly jargon-y or industry specific. Your mission statement is meant to be public-facing, so ensure that your mission statement is understandable to the general public.

Focusing Solely on Profits

We get it. Of course, we all want to make money and ensure that our business or organization is successful and turning a profit. But is that really what your mission is? Your mission should, ideally, be impact driven. Think about the needs you identified that needed to be fulfilled that inspired you to start your organization in the first place. That’s what your mission statement should stem from.

Forgetting to Consider Stakeholder Input

Unless you’re running a one-person operation, your team and stakeholders should have input in the mission. Interview or conduct surveys with your employees to gain their insight and opinions. You can then elect a smaller, more central committee to come together and find consensus on common themes and craft your mission statement from there.

Neglecting to Update the Mission Statement as the Organization Evolves

Your mission statement needs to reflect your organization’s purpose, above all else. Although you wouldn’t change your mission statement yearly or even bi-yearly, don’t be afraid to update or make tweaks on your mission statement. If your organization grows or changes to the point where your original mission statement doesn’t quite fit anymore, don’t be afraid to update!

Not Reflecting Your Company’s Values

This should go without saying, but a mission statement should clearly express and reflect your organization’s values and purpose in a way that resonates with your team and your customers. Make sure your mission statement describes and accurately reflects your company’s identity.

By being mindful of these potential missteps, your organization can create a mission statement that accurately reflects your values and goals while inspiring your team and community.

What Makes Mission Statements Powerful?

Mission statements help your entire organization clearly understand its core purpose and why you do what you do. As a leader, it’s important to have clarity and a cohesive understanding of why your organization exists. Great leadership requires connecting your organization’s core purpose and vision of the future to your team’s day-to-day activities.

As leaders, we are put under a lot of undue stress to generate a perfect, short, sing-songy mission statement. The result is meaningless drivel, leaving everyone irritated and underwhelmed. The goal is to bring inspiration and innovation to the company for the long term. Don’t let being pragmatic get in the way of this important stage of building a strong foundation of consensus for the organization.

Video Transcript – Video Title XYZ

Hi, my name is Erica Olsen.

Today’s whiteboard session is on how to write a mission statement. Mission statements are foundational to any strategic plan. You normally build one after you develop your SWOT. And before you go into the rest of your planning process, it’s foundational because it answers the question, “Why do we exist.”

It clearly explains the space that we play in what’s in and what’s out of what we do. And it’s not where we’re going, which is vision. So, let’s break it down.

We’ll use this example to explain the components of a mission statement. We’ll use this checklist to talk about what makes a good mission statement. And we’ll walk through a simple process to create yours.

So let’s jump in.

The example we have up here is Google’s. And we love using Google’s Google’s examples because they’re, they’re great. And why not borrow from the best.

So, starting with our mission, I like to start with our mission, because it gives us a place to go and keeps us thinking about mission, you might get rid of it later, but start it there. It has a verb with present tense to organize. We explain what we do organize the world’s information for whom, in this case, the world?

And what’s the benefit to us existing, what’s the benefit to the world to make information universally accessible, and useful? Really straightforward. We know mission statements are not that easy to write. So, here’s a checklist to make sure that yours is great.

Starting with, it needs to be original. This is really clearly original to Google; they didn’t rip it off from somebody else. It doesn’t sound like anybody else’s mission statement. It sounds like Google’s mission statement. So, make sure yours is original.

Connect with staff, a great mission statement. And you know, yours is great when every single staff member wakes up in the morning and knows that their purpose and the reason, they come to work every day is expressed in your mission statement.

And to do that, it needs to be memorable. Memorable means short and concise. And of course, that’s the balance to strike with a great mission statement. So, here’s your litmus test. It needs to fit on a t shirt, and your staff would wear it that achieves those two goals, you know, you’ve got a great mission statement.

So how do you write one, sometimes it can be hard. So it’s great to get input or ideas from your organization. So, gather staff input, if you’d like via survey, or maybe focus groups, take all that information, synthesize it down and create a couple of versions, you can do it yourself or use one of those folks in your organization who loves to copyright and have them write a couple of different versions.

Take those versions and either have your planning team pick one or put them out to your organization and have people vote on them. So that simple process will help you not go in all kinds of different directions and spend forever doing mission statement development.

With that, I hope this helps you write yours. Thanks for tuning in.

If time isn’t dedicated to articulating your mission on the front-end before developing strategy, the result will likely be goals and objectives without a crystal-clear strategic direction.

A Good Mission Statement the Following Elements:

• Label: We like to start with “Our mission…”
• Verb: Use an action verb in the present tense.
• For Whom: Describe who you do it for.
• Result: What is the result or benefit of your work?
• What You Do: Briefly state what you do and how.

Mission Statements Answer At least One of These Core Questions

What is our organization’s reason for existing.

A mission helps clearly articulate your organization’s reason for existing. At the absolute minimum, your mission statement should answer this question above all else: What’s your core purpose?

Example: “LinkedIn – To connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”

Why Is It Special to Work for This Organization?

The best way to answer this question is to connect to the heart of your employees, customers, or the population you serve. Be compelling, and let people understand and connect with your core purpose. How does your reason for existing impact people in a special way, or why do your employees show up to work every day?

Example: “Tesla – To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”

What Is Our Business and What Are We Trying to Accomplish on Behalf of Whom?

Some mission statements benefit from clearly stating who benefits from your business, or what you’re setting out to accomplish on behalf of whom. Who does your purpose impact the most and why?

Example: “Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”

More mission statement examples can be found here.

Checklist for Good Mission Statements

When evaluating the quality of your current or newly drafted mission statement, it’s important your company’s mission statement meets these four simple criteria:

• Your Mission Must Be Foundational: It clearly states why your organization or business exists.
• It’s Original: It’s unique to your organization. If you were to read the mission statements of all the organizations in your industry, yours would be different than your competition.
• It’s Memorable: Memorable = motivating to employees, prospective employees and customers.
• It Fits on a T-Shirt: Peter Drucker famously advised that your mission statement should be short and compelling enough to fit on a t-shirt your staff would actually wear.

Other Mission Statement Tips

If you are refreshing your mission statement, complete your swot first.

Mission statements should be developed after completing the SWOT analysis , and before going into the rest of the planning process. This allows your team to be grounded and in alignment with where your organization is today and what the organization’s strengths and contributions are.

The mission statement motivates and inspires staff. Every single staff member knows that their purpose is defined in the mission statement. (e.g. Starbucks’ mission: To inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.)

A Great Mission Statement Can Be Easily Recited at a Party

Develop the mission statement on a “party level”—it can quickly and briefly be understood by people at a party or on an airplane. The statement gives a profoundly simple focus for everything the team does as an organization. (e.g. Marine Stewardship Council’s mission: To safeguard the world’s seafood supply by promoting the best environmental choices.)

Now that you’ve finished your mission statement, writing your core values and vision is up next.

Get Started on Creating Your Mission Statement

Mission Statement FAQs

What questions do you need to answer to create a mission statement?

Answering these three questions will help create a mission statement:

• What is our organization’s reason for existing?
• Why is it special to work for this organization?
• What is our business and what are we trying to accomplish on behalf of whom?

What are the 5 elements of a mission statement?

The five parts of a mission statement are Label + Verb in Present Tense + Who You Serve + Result You Wish to Achieve or Reason for Existing + What You Do

What is a mission statement?

The definition of a mission statement is a concise description of your organization’s core purpose, answering the question, “why do we exist?”. A mission needs to boldly state why you exist, and why you do what you do. The best mission statements express your core purpose and why you exist with clarity.

How are mission statements and vision statements different?

A mission statement defines why your organization exists. A vision statement expresses where your organization is going in the future. They work together to express your reason for existing and how you’re setting out to change the world.

How do you know if you have a good mission statement?

Patrick Lencioni said that a mission statement should be able to fit on a t-shirt, and that your staff would want to wear that t-shirt.

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What are Mission and Vision Statements

How it works

In today’s society, there is increasing competition in all industries. There is a need for more advanced goal setting, as well as developing new business practices. Both large corporations and small businesses can benefit from utilizing a mission and vision statement, as well as a code of ethics. They give the business a reason for its existence and help them find and achieve their goals. Missions, visions, and codes of ethics can positively impact the success of the business. However, it is the leader’s responsibility to make sure that these are promoted in an appropriate manner.

• 1 What are Mission and Vision Statements?
• 2 What is the purpose of Mission and Vision Statements?
• 3 A Business’s Code of Ethics/Code of Conduct
• 4 Conclusion

What are Mission and Vision Statements?

A mission statement lays out an organization’s reason for existing. This statement lays out their goals and what they hope to contribute to society. It focuses on the present state of the business. It poses the question, “who are we?”. This needs to be a realistic and attainable statement of goals. A vision statement focuses more on the future of the organization. It asks, “where are we going?”. This statement sets a direction for the company and shows what they want it to look like in the future.

What is the purpose of Mission and Vision Statements?

These statements are the backbone of most organizations. For example, Amazon’s mission and vision statement, “Our vision is to be earth’s most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.” clearly lays out what they wish to accomplish in the present. Their statement also hints at what they want for the organization in the future. Mission and vision statements help businesses achieve their goals and fulfill their purpose. Every organization is formed with a purpose of some kind. These statements lay out their purpose to the employees and the public. They also guide leadership and help with strategic planning. Mission and vision statements help organizations stay focused on their goals. As a whole, these statements communicate. They bring people together and they communicate intent to serve the community. They communicate goals and motivate people to reach them. To clarify in simple terms, these statements: • Lay out the purpose to employees and the public • Guide leadership • Help the organizations stay focused on their goals • Communicate to everyone

These “purpose” statements are an integral part of any organization, whether non-profit or for-profit. What are the elements of Mission and Vision Statements?

Each statement needs key elements to ensure they are effective and impactful. There are different elements for each. However, they do align fairly closely. According to a blog by an innovative marketing solutions group, there are five key elements to a mission statement:

• Lays out the purpose of the organization • Showcases their capability – answers the question “what can they do?” • Motivates employees • Easy to understand • Lays out a legacy for the organization, “what are they known for?”

These five elements are necessary for an effective mission statement and essential for the success of the business. There are also five key elements to an impactful vision statement. These are:

• Needs to be forward-looking • Be motivating and inspirational • Reflect the culture and the core values of the organization • Lay out a plan to bring benefits and improvements in the future • Tell the story of an organizations reason for existence and where it is headed for the future

All of these elements, combined into both statements, are essential to the success of the organization, both in the present and in the future. The next step to success is having a code of ethics that backs up the short-term and the long-term goals of the organization.

A Business’s Code of Ethics/Code of Conduct

All public corporations are required by law to have a code of ethics. However, they are not the only ones who should have one. Every organization should. The purpose of the code is to clarify the company’s mission, values, and principles. Most importantly it defines the desired behavior from employees. Kimberlee at smallbusiness.chron.com writes that there are several key elements to a code of ethics:

• Values: Lay out the values that they wish all employees to live and work by. For example; be trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, caring, and good citizens. There could be many others as well. • Compliance: There are many regulations that employees need to know to follow. • State and Federal Laws: There are both state and federal laws and regulations that need to be followed. • Violations: It needs to be clear what happens when these laws and regulations are broken.

This code needs to be extremely clear so there is no confusion or reason for litigation later on. There is also a connection between an organization’s code of ethics and their mission/vision statements. These three, together, provide direction for everything in the organization. Companies can use their mission and vision statements to enforce their code of ethics. What role do a company’s leadership play in promoting the mission, vision, and code of ethics? Leadership can develop a strategic plan to carry out the mission, to achieve the vision, while complying with the code of ethics. Organizational leadership, at all levels, need to be good examples for the rest of the employees. They can make sure employees know that they contribute to the mission and make sure the employees know their ideas and input is valued.

Increasing competition between corporations, and even smaller businesses, calls for more innovative thinking and more creative goal setting. Mission and vision statements are ways of achieving creativity and separation from competition. If you have a solid mission statement, a solid vision statement, and a solid code of ethics then you have a formula for a very successful business.

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Vision, mission and values: how they differ and why they matter.

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Dave Foster is CEO of AvreaFoster , a brand and marketing agency that helps B2B companies use the power of their brand to grow business.

In the beginning—before your business became a business—it was an idea. You saw a need, had a vision for the change you wanted to see in the industry and made plans for how to drive that change. To some extent, a company’s origin story is captured in its vision, mission and values. These components combine to form the brand DNA, informing nearly every aspect of how the company goes to market—its tone of voice, brand experience, business strategy and even who it hires.

That’s not to say these elements don’t change. They do—evolving as the business evolves, just as the visual brand elements might to ensure the company maintains a relevant and credible position. So, whether your business is just beginning or is in its 50th year, it’s important to understand the role that vision, mission and values play—both what they are and why they matter.

Vision: What The Brand Hopes To Achieve Long-Term

I often see mission statements preceding vision statements. However, the mission should support the vision—not the other way around. The vision looks forward to what your organization hopes to achieve in the distant future. Some refer to it as the ultimate dream state, prompting leaders to answer questions like these: If your business had a magic wand, what would the industry or even the world look like? How would the lives of your customers change? It speaks to a destination that does not entirely exist yet, but that the business is actively working toward.

Because the vision is less about the journey and more about the final destination, these statements are more aspirational and often use compelling language and a confident tone of voice.

Vision statement examples include:

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• LinkedIn : “To create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.”

• Southwest Airlines : “To be the world's most loved, most efficient and most profitable airline.”

In addition to inspiring employees and shaping culture, the vision acts as a compass for the company’s long-term business strategy. You should use the vision as a litmus test for decision making related to expanding products and services or entertaining mergers or acquisitions. If the strategy under consideration doesn’t serve the vision, it’s likely not going to deliver business value.

Mission: How The Brand Will Achieve Its Vision

While the vision statement focuses on tomorrow, the mission statement focuses on today—what the company is doing right now to make the vision a reality. Said more poetically, the vision is your North Star and the mission is your compass.

The mission is grounded more in the company’s offering and value proposition, identifying the organization’s core audiences and the benefits it hopes to deliver. Some use a simple formula that breaks down what the organization does, for whom and how it does it. Because mission statements are more pragmatic, make sure the language is clear and concise—though your statement should also inspire readers and motivate employees.

Mission statement examples include:

• American Express : “Our mission is to become essential to our customers by providing differentiated products and services to help them achieve their aspirations.”

• Oracle : “Our mission is to help people see data in new ways, discover insights, unlock endless possibilities.”

The purpose of the mission statement is to help the organization focus on day-to-day activities that further the vision of tomorrow. While it can be an externally facing statement seen by customers on a website or other branded materials, its core job is to remind employees what the organization is doing—and subsequently what they should be doing—every day. Your mission statement should be frequently referenced by leadership in everything from new employee onboarding to town halls.

Values: The Behavioral Attributes Required To Deliver

If you hold in your mind what the organization wants to achieve long-term (vision) and how it will deliver it (mission), you are left to consider the human behaviors required to achieve those objectives. What attributes would you assign to your ideal employee? How do your values differ from your competitors’?

It’s important to note that values are closely tied to the organization’s brand experience. They should be brief to ensure internal adoption, but your values don’t have to adhere to the often-used formula of a one-word attribute with a brief rationale. After all, your organization and your people are unique. Let your values reflect that.

Values examples include:

Kimberly-Clark :

• Authentic: “Our heritage is one of honesty, integrity, and courageously doing the right thing.”

• Accountable: “We take ownership for our business and our future.”

• Innovative: “We are committed to new ideas that add value for our customers, our business, and our world.”

• Caring: “We respect each other and care for the communities where we live and work.”

• “Customer obsession rather than competitor focus.”

• “Passion for invention.”

• “Commitment to operational excellence.”

• “Long-term thinking.”

Values drive internal alignment, guide hiring decisions and create consistency in the brand experience. Make sure you display values prominently and use them in internal communications. This might mean installing environmental graphics at various facility locations and your corporate headquarters, launching internal campaigns designed to keep the values top-of-mind, or maintaining an employee acknowledgment program that enables team members to nominate others based on behaviors that showcase the values.

The Big Picture

Your vision, mission and values act as guides to fulfill your organization’s potential. Created with care, they are the key to ensuring that you meet your financial objectives, that your customers have an exceptional and differentiated brand experience, and that your employees lead a more fulfilling work life.

While their creation and implementation don’t have to be a burden on brand and marketing team members, make sure they are crafted in alignment with executive leaders across the enterprise. That requires time for discovery—holding small group sessions and one-on-one conversations to glean insights that will deliver an authentic vision, mission and set of values to inspire and motivate your organization.

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