Monday, December 1, 2008

Mission – Why do you do what you do?

Firstly lets define what a mission statement is and why it is important.

“A general statement of a vision in word form. It is important to have a rich representation of the vision in all the senses. Then the mission statement can be written in language which allows all parties to it to derive meaning from it, yet be precise enough to guide them towards achieving it.”
~Merriam Webster~

I have always been a dreamer and entrepreneur at heart. All of my most impactful mentors always advised me that is was critical to have a mission statement or a focused goal or series of goals. Whether that goal is associated with blogging, professional life or personal life, it is important to know your goals and your Why! What is the reason you ask? Your mission/goals help you to as I like to say it to “keep the main thing - the main thing”! Your why keeps you motivated when you don’t see the result or hope of your goal(s) in sight.

When I used to sell Mary Kay, my director had us to write out our mission statement and to write out our “WHY” i.e the reason we are selling Mary Kay products. Initially I did not understand why and thought it was a waste of time and paper. Just let me sell I thought. Then when things got tough and I slacked off and wasn’t consistent in my daily activity, my director would pull out my mission statement and my why and say to me “Terronda have you reached your mission, your goal?” I would say “no but…..” She would let me whine and when I finished she brought me right back to my why and then helped me to refocus on my mission/goal sometimes revamping those goals into smaller bite sized chunks so that I could see progress. After all of that she would have me to read aloud my mission statement and my WHY. She reminded me to keep the main thing the main thing i.e. consistent daily mission/goal oriented activity (that is another blog….. perhaps I will talk on that another time) and to keep repeating my why. I even had my mission and why posted around my house to keep me moving!

So know that whether your goal is small or large, it is crucial to 1) have a mission/goal and 2) to have a “work out partner/Mentor” to help keep you on track, to encourage you and to keep you moving in the direction of your goals.

I encourage and urge you to take the time to determine what your goals are. If it is all about blogging, then great. What is the goal of your blog? Venting, make money, making friends…whatever it may be. Then write out your mission statement.

Below is the mission statement I wrote about 4 years ago! Guess what? I am MUCH CLOSER to my goal! I am $2,000 away from being DEBT free! It has taken me 4 years to get here but I am indeed reaching my goals! By next year this time, I will be debt free! So go ahead…take the next step and write that mission statement and your why!

Feel free to share thoughts, ask questions and even share your mission statement if you have one. If you post your mission statement on your blog, let me know and I will link to it to my blog.

MISSION STATEMENT:So much of my life I have struggled financially and emotionally as a result. I see so many others I love deeply with the same struggles and financial and emotional strife. My mom at retirement age is still feverishly working and trying to “just keep her head above water”. It aches my heart that after raising us and working hard to meet our needs that she still does not have even some of her most basic needs met. God made me to be a dreamer, a visionary, a goal setter, a woman of unyielding determination. I want to use the strengths and talents he gave me to get out of debt, live with financial abundance and to motivate and teach as many that are willing how to do it for themselves. “Give a man a fish – feed him for a day! Teach a man to fish and feed him for a LIFETIME!”. I am about helping myself first and through my experiences (good and bad) share with those who desire - how to reach their business, personal and financial goals.

Note: I also have another blog called Unique Commodities that is all about my Etsy shop and other Etsy Artist!

4 comments:

Donna Pool said...

Very thought provoking...I'll definitely be back to read more!

BeadedTail said...

Very well written post Terronda and you certainly made me start thinking about my mission statement. I don't have one currently, or no formal one at least, but I can certainly see where it would be helpful. I'm looking forward to seeing future posts on this blog!

Huckleberry Arts said...

GREAT post, and Great goal

I love the idea of a mission statement defiantly something to put on my things to do

~Huck

A Keeper's Jackpot said...

First of all - I love your new blog and layout. It was very thought provoking to read your new blog. Not only do you have a mission, but you have a statement. I still sometimes struggle to find my mission, not just artistically but in my career professionally as well.

Why do I do what I do? I find things that are comfortable and stay with them. I'm trying to be less influenced by others and figure out what it is that I want. I'm also stuck because a change in career weather from lab to public health or lab to jewelry making full time would be a pay cut. Would I be happier? If I knew my mission, I'm not sure if I could put it in words... you are ahead of many of us I think :)

My mom sounds like she's in the same boat as yours, and it is heart breaking to see someone that provided for you growing up barely able to provide for herself.