How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

Who are you? What do you stand for? What matters most to you? What do you want to contribute to the world?

These are deeply profound questions that only you can answer them. And the best way to make sure you’re living out the answers is by creating a personal mission statement.

What is a Personal Mission Statement?

A personal mission statement is a short statement, usually only a sentence or two, that describes your beliefs and how you plan to live out your values. It lays out your personal definition of what success looks like for you– free from the approval or judgments of others.

For years, companies have been crafting mission statements to explain why they exist. It helps guide them as they seek to grow in the marketplace. A personal mission statement is every bit as important and is quite similar to corporate statements.

Why Do You Need a Personal Mission Statement?

The process of creating a personal mission statement will force you to think deeply about your life. It’s an act of self-discovery, in a way. It will help you to clarify purpose and identify what’s really important to you. A mission statement also helps your values stick in your mind and become a part of your daily life. Think of it as a compass or map directing your life and helping us find personal fulfillment and a sense of well-being.

Here are few additional benefits:

It gives you the opportunity to focus on what really matters.
You’ll get to know yourself better.
It makes future decision-making processes easier.
It’s a means of accountability for your actions. (Either something aligns with your statement, or it doesn’t.)

What Should be Included in Your Personal Mission Statement?

Your personal mission statement is just that. Personal. It should be as unique as you are. You’ll want to include what you want to accomplish or do in life and how you plan to do it.

Here’s a quick glance at sample elements to include in your statement.

“I will [action] for [audience] by [skills] to [desired result].”

To write a personal mission statement, first start off with a quick brainstorming session. Ask yourself a few questions like these.

What inspires you? What gets you excited?
What are your strengths?
What are your core values? Where are you on matters of principle?
What impact do you want to have on the world? What problem can you help solve? Who do you want to help? What do you want to do to make this impact?
What does success look like to you?
What challenges and obstacles have you overcome? What did you learn from them?
Who do you want to be? What will it take to get there?

Spend some time with friends and family. Ask what they feel your strengths are. What makes you stand out? Ask them to write out a few words that come to mind when they think of you.

Write down what’s most important to you. Start by considering what and who you value, who you are, and who you want to be. Write out your goals. What do you want others to think of you? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? What do you want to achieve in life?

Now, write a few rough drafts of potential statements and whittle them down to the most important thoughts to you. Keep it clear and short – no more than three sentences long. Keep it positive, and look to the future and the person you want to become.

12 Examples of Personal Mission Statements

Here are some examples of personal mission statements.

“To continue to grow as an individual and an entrepreneur. I will lead others well and create a legacy of kindness.”

“To create innovative ideas and technology solutions that will improve the lives of others. To become a leader in the field of software development”

“To use my gifts as a speaker to improve the self-worth of people around the world.”

“To live a balanced life, serving my family well and making a meaningful difference to those around me.”

“To create innovative healthcare solutions that improve the lives of others.”

“To inspire my students to become the best version of themselves.”

“I will help men, women and children overcome trauma. I devote my life to help others find hope after tragedy and loss.”

“To raise a well-rounded, healthy family, and bring joy to others around the world through music.”

“To use my gift of public speaking to bring education to women around the globe and empower the underprivileged.”

“To create meaningful stories that educate, entertain and inspire people around the world.”

“To treat everyone I encounter with love and compassion. I will shine a spotlight on the horrors of abuse and inspire healing for those who’ve endured its trauma.”

“To bring beauty into the world and grow brands through graphic design.”

Once you’ve written your personal mission statement, begin to integrate it into your weekly planning. Keep your vision constantly in front of you. And remember that as you grow and evolve over time, you should revisit your mission statement. Does it still reflect who you are and what your goals are? If not, it’s perfectly acceptable to revise it.

Get Help with Your Vision

For more on mission statements, vision and reaching your goals, consider help from a life or career coach. If you’re looking to grow your career, 1:1 coaching can help provide the clarity, perspective and accountability you need to get from where you are to where you want to be.

For a free consultation to see if coaching may be right for you, contact us today.

Professional development and coaching is an absolute must. For the last four years, [my coach] has held me
accountable to my goals, acting as coach and friend. She has not only helped me achieve my professional goals, but has helped me organize my life in a manner that allows me to focus on my personal priorities first. My income has increased each of the last four consecutive years, and Katie has become my insurance policy.