There are many ways to approach developing a personal mission statement. This is a 5-step process I discovered online which really helped me focus my purpose. I hope it is helpful for you too!

Step 1: Identify Past Successes. Spend some time identifying four or five examples where you have had personal success in recent years. These successes could be at work, in your community, at home, etc. Write them down.

Try to identify whether there is a common theme — or themes — to these examples. Write them down.

• Developed and sustained Living Leadership Program
• Serving the community through volunteering with JLKD
• Helping people realize their potential through encouragement and confidence building

• My theme: People don’t need to be saved, they need to be empowered.

Step 2: Identify Core Values. Develop a list of attributes that you believe identify who you are and what your priorities are. The list can be as long as you need. Once your list is complete, see if you can narrow your values to five or six most important values. Finally, see if you can choose the one value that is most important to you. If you need help with imagining your list, you can start here: http://corevalueslist.com/

• Adaptability – top
• Responsibility – top 5
• Honesty – top 5
• Action – top 5
• Equality – top 5
• Troubleshooting
• Hard-working
• Communication
• Respect
• Love
• Service
• Efficiency

Step 3: Identify Contributions. Make a list of the ways you could make a difference. In an ideal situation, how could you contribute best to:’

• the world in general
• your family
• your employer or future employers
• your friends
• your community

• World – bringing more young leaders into the world as global citizens for good
• Family – being the rock which my family can count on
• Employer – bringing the energy and enthusiasm, willingness to work on the big picture and dream big
• Friends – accepting the organizer role and being willing to meet even if it has been years and pickup anytime
• Community – being a servant in the community through volunteering

Step 4: Identify Goals. Spend some time thinking about your priorities in life and the goals you have for yourself. Make a list of your personal goals, perhaps in the short-term (up to three years) and the long-term (beyond three years).

Short-term (three years)

• To continue my career working in higher education which allows me to empower students through the process of leadership development and to apply my unique strengths through building programs to benefit all students seeking a comprehensive (curricular and co-curricular) educational experience at College of DuPage.
• To begin work on a Ph.D. in Leadership so I may improve my own education and use my new found skills to contribute positively to the field of leadership education ultimately serving the students I work with every day so they may become the leaders they want to be.
• To continue working with the Junior League of Kane and DuPage Counties, Inc. to develop the leadership potential of women and provide lasting positive change in the local communities served through the organization.
• To continue working with horses to model positive horsemanship and healthy relationships to young riders.

Long-term (beyond three years)

• To seek opportunities to share my knowledge and skills in leadership development beyond my current outlets.
• To contribute to the growing body of research on leadership education, specifically at community colleges so students studying at community colleges can be served by their institutions effectively.

Step 5: Write Mission Statement. Based on the first four steps and a better understanding of yourself, begin writing your personal mission statement.

My mission is to live leadership every day of my life through sharing my unique perspective and talents with every person I meet. I seek to make lasting positive change everywhere my life’s journey takes me and hold a firm belief that everyone has natural talents which can make extraordinary things possible.

Original steps appear on the website: http://www.quintcareers.com/creating_personal_mission_statements.html