What is Your Vision and Mission Statement for Life?

What is your vision and mission statements for your life? Are they clear? Do you take conscious steps each day to fulfil your mission and vision?

In this post I am going to discuss –

• What is a Vision for Life?
• Why Have a Vision for Your Life?
• What is a Mission Statement for Life?
• Why Have a Mission Statement for Your Life?
• What is the Difference Between a Vision and Mission Statement?

Let’s get started…

What is a Vision for Life?

A vision is your vision of the future – what you want to create and achieve in the future. It is your inspiration and guides your planning, As Stephen Covey writes in  7 Habits of Highly Effective People – “Begin with the End in Mind” and Timothy Gallwey in the Inner Game of Work –

“If you have a clear vision of where you want to go, you are not as easily distracted by the many possibilities and agendas that otherwise divert you.”

The timeframe for a vision is up to you.

Why Have a Vision for Your Life?

Having a vision helps you to –

• stay focused,
• make conscious choices – especially about your prioritises,
• eliminate or at least minimise distractions (or bright shiny objects 🙂 ),

What is a Mission Statement for Life?

The first time I heard of a mission statement was reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. In that book, Covey’s definition of a personal mission statement says –

“… it focuses on what you want to be (character) and to do (contributions and achievements) and on the values or principles upon which being and doing are based.” (p1598).

A personal mission statement becomes a standard or personal constitution for the individual. The basis for making major and life-directing decisions. It allows the individual to flow with changes in life. A personal mission statement is not something you write overnight – it takes time and –

• helps you keep your personal ‘why’ and purpose (reason for being) clear,
• is personal, positive, in the present tense, visual and emotional, and
• can align to your specific roles and goals in life.

Why Have a Mission Statement for Your Life?

Having a mission statement is similar to having a vision for your life in that it helps you –

• stay focused,
• make conscious choices – especially about your prioritises,
• eliminate or at least minimise distractions (or bright shiny objects 🙂 ) as well as
• align to your capabilities, roles, intentions and goals in life.

What is the Difference Between a Vision and Mission Statement?

Many people use a vision and mission statement interchangeably, however I see a difference. Most notably – a vision is about your future and who you want to BE, whilst the mission statement focuses on today and what you do through your actions and behaviours.

Over to You…

I hope this post has give you some insight in to a vision and mission statement and how they are different. Once you know your vision and mission, it will help you prioritise your quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily actions and behaviours. Any questions, please write them below! Also – if you want to create your own vision, you can find out more here.

If you are ready to reclaim your courage and take the next step towards freedom and opening your heart, why not join our Toolkit?

Reference –

Covey, S. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. New York, USA: Simon & Schuster.