Define your personal mission statement. Why should you have a mission statement? Practical tips and strategies to help you define what you want and how to get there.
Slides from a live presentation at Barnard University. See a blog recap at http://www.getbullish.com/2015/09/jen-at-barnards-athena-center-for-leadership-studies-your-personal-mission-2/
6. prompts you to think deeply about your purpose
prompts you to make difficult choices about
your priorities
7. prompts you to think deeply about your purpose
prompts you to make difficult choices about
your priorities
provides comfort and motivation when the
going is tough
8. prompts you to think deeply about your purpose
prompts you to make difficult choices about
your priorities
provides comfort and motivation when the
going is tough
gives you a guide when creating a weekly plan
9. prompts you to think deeply about your purpose
prompts you to make difficult choices about
your priorities
provides comfort and motivation when the
going is tough
gives you a guide when creating a weekly plan
inspires you
10. prompts you to think deeply about your purpose
prompts you to make difficult choices about
your priorities
provides comfort and motivation when the
going is tough
gives you a guide when creating a weekly plan
inspires you
gives you a quick way to make many decisions
11. prompts you to think deeply about your purpose
prompts you to make difficult choices about
your priorities
provides comfort and motivation when the
going is tough
gives you a guide when creating a weekly plan
inspires you
gives you a quick way to make many decisions
helps you express yourself when networking
19. DENISE MORRISON, CEO OF CAMPBELL SOUP
COMPANY
“To serve as a leader, live a balanced life, and
apply ethical principles to make a significant
difference.”
From http://www.fastcompany.com/3026791/dialed/personal-mission-
statements-of-5-famous-ceos-and-why-you-should-write-one-too#2
20. OPRAH WINFREY, FOUNDER OF OWN, THE
OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
“To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring
my students to be more than they thought they
could be.”
From http://www.fastcompany.com/3026791/dialed/personal-mission-
statements-of-5-famous-ceos-and-why-you-should-write-one-too#2
21. AMANDA STEINBERG, FOUNDER OF
DAILYWORTH.COM
“To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and
serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and
net-worth of women around the world.”
From http://www.fastcompany.com/3026791/dialed/personal-mission-
statements-of-5-famous-ceos-and-why-you-should-write-one-too#2
22. GANDHI
“Let the first act of every morning be to make the
following resolve for the day:
I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
I shall fear only God.
I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
I shall conquer untruth by truth.
And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”
http://www.franklincovey.com/msb/inspired/gandhi
26. “WE ALL HAVE SUPER POWERS –
THINGS WE DO BETTER THAN
ANYONE ELSE. THESE THINGS
OFTEN FEEL NATURAL TO US, BUT
IT’S IMPORTANT TO SEE THEM AS
BEING SPECIAL.” – WILLIAM ARUDA
30. William Arruda, author of Ditch, Dare, Do: 3D
Personal Branding for Executives offers a
template that links together three elements:
The value you create + who you’re creating it for
+ the expected outcome.
http://www.fastcompany.com/3026791/dialed/personal-mission-statements-of-5-famous-
ceos-and-why-you-should-write-one-too#2
31. William Arruda, author of Ditch, Dare, Do: 3D
Personal Branding for Executives offers a
template that links together three elements:
The value you create + who you’re creating it for
+ the expected outcome.
For example: I use my passion and expertise in
technology to inspire researchers to create drugs
to cure rare diseases.
http://www.fastcompany.com/3026791/dialed/personal-mission-statements-of-5-famous-
ceos-and-why-you-should-write-one-too#2
32. What tagline do you want other people to associate with you?
• Genius
• Internet pioneer
• Food revolutionary
-Steve Cooper
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevecooper/2013/05/17/whats-your-personal-mission-
statement/
33. What tagline do you want other people to associate with you?
• Genius
• Internet pioneer
• Food revolutionary
What’s your motivation?
• To solve a problem that’s been plaguing humanity
• To connect business leaders and startups to help grow businesses faster
• To end obesity in America
-Steve Cooper
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevecooper/2013/05/17/whats-your-personal-mission-
statement/
34. What tagline do you want other people to associate with you?
• Genius
• Internet pioneer
• Food revolutionary
What’s your motivation?
• To solve a problem that’s been plaguing humanity
• To connect business leaders and startups to help grow businesses faster
• To end obesity in America
How will you accomplish it?
• Stay informed and active within the industry and seek answers to unsolved problems
• Be where the users are today and embrace tomorrow’s technologies
• Grow organic, farm sustainably, and develop new delivery methods to keep cost down
-Steve Cooper
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevecooper/2013/05/17/whats-your-personal-mission-
statement/
35. Make sure your statement is SMART
Make it Succinct and Specific.
Measurable…or Manageable.
Are you giving this goal the time in your schedule it
needs to become a reality?
Is it really Aspirational? Did you stretch?
Realistic: Does this balance “blue skies” with concrete
outcomes? Is it so lofty that it’s not grounded?
Tasks: Do you need to learn a new skill or take on a
new task?
Erin Vilardi, Leadership Consultant, Athena Center