How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (With Examples)

Similar to corporate mission statements, personal mission statements provide a concise overview of your motivations and aspirations. They serve as powerful tools for helping colleagues and potential employers understand who you are. Additionally, a well-structured mission statement can guide your work and decision-making process, making it essential to dedicate time to this reflective exercise.

In this article, we’ll explore the steps to write a personal mission statement, provide examples, and discuss how having one can benefit your career.

Key Takeaways

• A personal mission statement should be a single, impactful sentence.

• Your statement communicates the “why” behind your professional pursuits.

• Crafting a personal mission statement aids in prioritizing your goals and effectively introducing yourself to future employers.

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

If you find yourself struggling to articulate your personal mission statement, you’re not alone. While it may seem straightforward, a personal mission statement embodies a lifetime of experiences and introspection when crafted thoughtfully.

Once you grasp the concept, creating your personal mission statement can be both enjoyable and enlightening. It will help you clarify the values that have influenced your professional journey. Here are some steps to guide you in writing an effective personal mission statement:

1. Brainstorm your work and life missions. Personal mission statements are compact yet rich in meaning, reflecting how you navigate your professional landscape.

   Many individuals have not taken the time to contemplate their perspectives on work and life or how these views intersect. Dedicate time to explore these thoughts and jot down whatever comes to mind.

   What are your beliefs about life and your purpose within it? What are your views on work and your ultimate goals (beyond financial gain)? These are significant questions, but brainstorming your answers can clarify your motivations.

2. Identify your core values and goals. Review your brainstorming notes and highlight the themes that resonate as your key motivating values. These are the driving forces behind your actions.

   Do you aspire to ensure safety and comfort for others? Perhaps you aim to expand human knowledge or artistic expression. The possibilities are vast, and the decisions are yours based on what you feel called to achieve in this life.

   Once you have identified your core values, assess how they align with your personal and professional goals. Consider where you envision yourself in your career, what you wish to accomplish, and the kind of person you aspire to be within your community.

3. Recognize the skills you’ll use to enact your values. Each of us possesses unique skills—both professional and personal—that can help us achieve our goals. Including these skills in your personal mission statement not only highlights your strengths but also illustrates your commitment to utilizing them effectively.

   Are you creative, an adept teacher, empathetic, skilled with numbers, or an exceptional organizer? Identify your strengths and consider how you plan to utilize them.

4. Edit for maximum impact. Effective writing often involves conveying the most information in the fewest words possible, which applies to a compelling personal mission statement. Ensure your statement is concise, impactful, and straightforward.

   Refine your personal mission statement to be as succinct as possible. Use vibrant, motivating verbs and concrete nouns. Specific details can be reserved for your resume and cover letter.

5. Discuss with peers and mentors. If you’re uncertain about your mission statement, seek input from colleagues or mentors. You can ask about their mission statements or request feedback on yours.

   Even if you create a strong statement independently, discussing it can provide valuable insights. Engaging in conversation can foster deeper connections and help you collaborate more effectively with those around you.

Personal Mission Statement Template and Examples

Personal Mission Statement Template

Your personal mission statement may require grammatical adjustments based on its context, but a strong statement will encapsulate the following points in a single sentence:

• What actions will you take to create change?

• What skills will you employ?

• Which community or group will you impact?

• What change do you aspire to achieve or what result do you seek?

It might look something like this:

Remember, this is highly personal and context-dependent. If it feels awkward, feel free to rephrase or simplify it to focus solely on your intended impact.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

1. To use my creative talents to teach inner-city high schoolers how art can uplift their spirits and change their perspectives.

2. To bring joy to those around me.

3. To write stories that remind us of our shared humanity.

4. To leverage my writing skills to enhance nonprofit funding and foster a more equitable world.

5. To create a new era of marketing centered on ethics, sustainability, and transparency.

6. To engineer innovative products that improve our quality of life.

7. To provide compassionate care to patients at the end of their lives.

8. To live in happiness and health while causing no harm.

9. To create technology that transforms the way we live.

10. To empower women of color to achieve success in corporate roles through personalized, intersectional consultations.

11. To embrace lifelong learning.

12. To develop software that enhances user security through streamlined processes.

13. To advocate for policies that actively address the climate crisis and promote sustainability.

14. To design beautiful, user-friendly websites that help clients grow their online businesses.

15. To utilize my talents to invest in and uplift my community.

16. To mentor others, apply my values to every decision, and positively impact lives.

17. To ensure every child has equitable access to education.

18. To harness my unique gifts for the greater good.

19. To keep the public informed on global issues and foster a more connected world.

20. To create a more accessible environment through disability-conscious design.

21. To capture and preserve beautiful wedding memories for my clients.

22. To nurture the talents of those around me and use them to improve the world.

23. To provide exceptional care to every patient, every day.

24. To enhance the beauty of the world around me.

25. To make every child feel cherished and valued.

26. To support my clients in living their fullest, healthiest lives.

Tips for Writing Your Personal Mission Statement

Here are some final tips for crafting a compelling personal mission statement:

• Be brief. Aim for a concise statement encapsulated in a single, clear sentence. It should be easy to remember and immediately understandable. If desired, narrow it down to three words capturing the essence of your mission and expand with additional words for clarity.

• Be honest. Avoid writing what you think others want to hear. Your statement should genuinely reflect who you are; otherwise, it loses its purpose.

• Be open. If you’re skeptical, remain open to the process. Your mission statement may not be the perfect expression of yourself, but it can still reveal what drives you at a deeper level.

  Being vulnerable about your motivations and values can be daunting, especially in a world that often downplays what we truly desire. However, sharing this vulnerability can foster connection and inspire others to express themselves similarly, unlocking the transformative potential of mission statements.

• Be teachable. Given the personal nature of your mission statement, seeking feedback may feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless, having someone you trust review it can help ensure clarity and effectiveness in your communication.

  Accept feedback graciously, understanding that it’s intended to assist you, not critique you personally.

What Is a Personal Mission Statement?

A personal mission statement, often referred to as a vision statement, defines your core purpose for working. It succinctly outlines your goals and values in your professional life, serving as a compass for your decisions.

Typically formatted as a single sentence or short phrase, it conveys how you perceive yourself as an individual and a member of a larger organization. It effectively communicates the essence of your work and motivations.

Personal mission statements can be utilized in numerous ways, both for personal growth and to help others understand you better. They can be included in resumes, college applications, professional social media profiles, and beyond.

Even just keeping this statement in mind can significantly influence the decisions you make in your career. It acts as a guide for your behavior, simplifying the often-complex task of determining the right choice in various aspects of life. With your mission statement as a reference, you might find it easier to navigate professional dilemmas.

Why Is It Important to Have a Personal Mission Statement?

Personal mission statements are vital as they help clarify your ultimate purpose in your work and decision-making.

It’s understandable if you feel that your primary purpose is to earn a living; this viewpoint is completely valid. Financial stability is crucial for survival, and it certainly influences career choices.

However, the essence of a personal mission statement lies in outlining the life you aspire to create and the impact you wish to have on the world. It is less about mere survival and more about how you would choose to live your life if financial constraints were absent.

For these reasons, a personal mission statement can be profoundly empowering. It serves as a memorable phrase that you can reference for both significant and minor decisions. It helps you recognize opportunities and choices that align with your aspirations and those that don’t, which is invaluable for establishing career boundaries and long-term objectives.

Your statement can guide you in assessing everything from your fit within a corporate culture to the projects you choose to undertake.

Successful individuals are clear about their goals and values, and they hold the belief that they can create a life that honors these principles. A mission statement signals to potential collaborators that you are focused, determined, and unwilling to settle for anything less than your aspirations.

Where Can You Use a Personal Mission Statement?

Personal mission statements have various applications, whether introducing yourself, making significant decisions, or navigating daily professional activities. Here are some examples of how to incorporate a personal mission statement into your life:

• Starting a new project. Before embarking on a new task or project, refer to your mission. Understanding the fundamental purpose behind your engagement can enhance your success and enthusiasm. It also encourages innovative approaches rather than rote methods, fostering results-driven creativity.

• Daily tasks and choices. Even minor decisions can be approached more effectively when you keep your “why” in mind. Having your mission statement visible during work hours, perhaps framed in your office, can enhance your sense of fulfillment and connect small tasks to a larger purpose.

• Scheduling. Your mission statement can guide how you allocate your time. Track your daily tasks and evaluate how they contribute to your overarching goals. You may discover areas where you expend excessive time on low-impact tasks, or conversely, where you’re neglecting high-impact activities.

• Job-hunting. If you’re exploring new opportunities, your mission statement can serve as a crucial guide in determining which positions to pursue. Take the time to research prospective employers to ensure their mission aligns with yours.

• In your resume, cover letter, or portfolio. You can incorporate your personal mission statement into your application materials. It could feature in your resume summary, the opening paragraph of your cover letter, or even in the header of your personal website.

• During interviews. Professionally introducing yourself can be challenging, but your mission statement simplifies this process. Leveraging your statement when answering interview questions can help potential employers recognize your strong values and integrity.

Personal Mission Statement FAQ

1. What is the purpose of a personal mission statement?

   The purpose of a personal mission statement is to clearly define your goals and outline your purpose for working. It serves as a concise statement that encapsulates how you identify as an individual and as a member of an organization, similar to a corporate mission statement.

2. What should be included in a personal mission statement?

   A personal mission statement should articulate what you aim to accomplish and contribute, as well as how you envision yourself. Start by identifying your personal and professional goals, as this will inform your statement and the steps you need to take to realize it.

3. How long should a personal mission statement be?

   A personal mission statement should ideally be a single sentence. Aim for a statement of no more than 50 words, keeping it concise and to the point.

References

1. James Madison University – Crafting Your Personal Mission Statement

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.