Why Writing a Personal Mission Statement Is More Effective Than Making New Year Resolutions

As the year comes to an end, many of us start thinking about our New Year resolutions. We make promises to ourselves to be better, achieve more, and make positive changes in our lives. However, research suggests that only 20% of people actually follow through with their resolutions and achieve the desired results (Scranton, n.d.). So, instead of setting resolutions that are bound to fail, why not try writing a personal mission statement?

When you hear the term “mission statement,” you might immediately think of those corporate statements you hear about in tedious meetings. However, a personal mission statement is a far more effective and meaningful tool. It involves writing down what you want to be and what you want to achieve. By visualizing your goals and promising yourself to achieve them, you set a clear path for success. If you need inspiration, Stephen Covey’s book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change,” can be a valuable resource (Covey, 2004).

To help you get started, here are some examples of personal mission statements:

– “To have fun in my journey through life and learn from my mistakes.” – Sir Richard Branson
– “To serve as a leader, live a balanced life, and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference.” – Denise Morrison, CEO Campbell Soup
– “My mission is to give, for giving is what I do best and I can learn to do better.” – Anonymous
– “To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” – Oprah Winfrey
– “I want to be the kind of person my dog already thinks I am.” – Anonymous

If you are still stuck, there are resources available online, such as the FranklinCovey website, which offers great ideas for building a personal mission statement (FranklinCovey, n.d.). Once you have written your statement, you will experience several benefits:

1. Your life will have a purpose: Regardless of your role in life, a personal mission statement will provide you with a sense of purpose and drive. It will help you focus on achieving your goals and enable you to make progress in all aspects of your life.

2. You can track progress: Your personal mission statement serves as a tool to monitor your progress in achieving your goals. It becomes a reference point when faced with tough life choices. By constantly assessing your progress, you can stay on track and move forward to the next challenge with confidence.

3. Increased productivity: With your mission statement incorporated into your daily routine, you will find that you become more productive. It encourages you to eliminate time-wasting activities and distractions, enabling you to focus on what truly matters.

4. Enhanced motivation: All too often, we make excuses when faced with obstacles that hinder our progress. A personal mission statement reminds us of the importance of staying motivated and not allowing any barriers to deter us from achieving our goals.

5. Greater focus on talents: One crucial aspect of writing a personal mission statement is reflecting on your talents and areas of excellence. By doing so, you bring these skills to the forefront and emphasize their importance for personal fulfillment and success.

6. Resilience in challenging times: Life can present us with difficult situations, such as breakups or challenging bosses. In these moments, having a personal mission statement provides stability and strength. It reminds us of our purpose and can help us navigate through turmoil with determination and resilience.

In conclusion, instead of setting New Year resolutions that are likely to be forgotten or abandoned, why not invest in writing a personal mission statement? By doing so, you create a clear path towards your goals, maintain focus, stay motivated, and ultimately achieve success in all areas of your life. So, as we approach the new year, consider making this powerful change and start living a purpose-driven life.

References:
Covey, S. (2004). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change.
FranklinCovey. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://msb.franklincovey.com/
Scranton, U. of. (n.d.). Making Your Resolutions Stick. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2980864