personal mission statement essay sample

55 Personal Mission Statement Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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A personal mission statement defines your purpose. It explains what you want to achieve in your life, career, personal relationships, and so on.

It differs from a career or educational mission statement because it’s more holistic: it’s not just about your job or school. It’s about what you want to achieve with your life overall. and what your personal philosophy is in life .

Here is my personal mission statement:

“I will be generous with my time both with family and strangers. I will consciously and intentionally spend quality time with my parents, my wife, and my children. I will pass-on love of life and self-belief to my children by living as a positive example. I will commit my career to working on projects that are meaningful to me. And I will be responsible with my health and finances for the longevity of my life and to ensure I can care for my family for many years to come.”

When I was asked to write a personal mission statement for applying for my job as a teacher, I tweaked it to focus more on my career:

“My personal mission statement as a teacher is to inspire and support my students, help them see their own potential, and build them up each and every day. I will commit my time to letting each student know they are capable of success, and I will help show them the path to personal and academic success.”

Below is a range of ideas for a personal mission statement. As the mission statement is personal, I recommend using these ideas as inspiration, but make sure you pick and choose the sentiments that are meaningful to you, and write your own.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

The following examples can be used as stimuli for you to think about what you want to include in your own mission statement. But, as the word suggests, a personal mission statement should be personal and unique to you . So, pick and choose key ideas from below, while coming up with your own mission statement that reflects your uniqueness.

• Live a life that aligns with my core values : “I will strive to live a life that is consistent with my own values and ethics. To achieve this, I will ensure I reflect every day on how my daily actions and interactions with others will reflect upon me, and whether they’re consistent with who I strive to be.”
• Seek to be a catalyst for change: “I will dedicate my life to being a catalyst for change in my world. The change I want to see is change toward greater social equality, fairness, and prosperity. To achieve this, I will advocate for the disadvantaged, seek career opportunities for supporting the underprivileged, and donate generously to causes I care about.”
• Commit to a journey of self-discovery: “My daily mission is to embark on an ongoing journey of self-improvement and self-discovery, always on track to find my deeper purpose in life.”
• Empower myself and others: “I will always strive to empower myself and others through positive affirmation, constructive feedback, and making smart choices. I will remove barriers to self-determination and always respect people’s choices in life.”
• Seek opportunities to give back to the community: “I am grateful first and foremost to my community for their support and nourishment, and my personal mission from here on out is to find opportunities where I can give back to my community in both my career and volunteerism.”
• Strive for excellence in all endeavors: “ My credo is to always hold myself to a high standard. To me, this means always putting in maximum effort and trying to be the best I can be each and every day.”
• Always have a growth mindset: “My core mission is to always maintain a growth mindset each and every day. For me, this means embracing challenges rather than shying away from them, having persistence and resilience when I face setbacks, and viewing effort as a pathway to mastery. “

• Aim to leave a meaningful legacy: “At the end of my life, I want to be able to look back and know that I’ve left a legacy for the world and my family. To achieve this, my mission will be to always give more to the world than I take, so I leave the world better off. I will leave a legacy of kindness and a spirit of service and community.”
• Continually redefine personal goals and aspirations: “I believe that a person is most successful when they self-reflect to achieve ongoing improvement. So, in my personal mission, I am committed to the ongoing process of personal evolution that will help me continue to refine myself over time. “
• Seek the silver lining: “The silver lining is the positive that we can extract out of every situation, even our failures. With this in mind, my mission is to cultivate optimism and to focus on what can be learned from every situation. This approach will both enhance my personal resilience and inspire others to adopt a similar perspective.”
• Develop resilience, adaptability, and grit in the face of adversity: “My mission is to develop and embody qualities of resilience, adaptability, and grit. I am determined to approach adversity as an opportunity for growth, learning to navigate through challenges with grace and tenacity. In doing so, I will become stronger and more capable.”
• To be generous with my time: “I will be generous with my time because I believe my time is the greatest gift I can give to others. This means I will commit to quality time with my friends and family and make sure I maintain a work-life balance so I can commit my time to the people who deserve it.”
• Empowering people around me: “My mission is to empower the people around me, including my colleagues at work, my friends, and my family. By empowering others, I can bring out the best in my community, and leave my community a better place.”
• Living with gratitude: “I will commit to expressing gratitude each and every day of my life. To do this, I will commit to meditating, reflecting on what I have, and being grateful for my health, wealth, and family.”
• Develop wisdom : “My mission is to continue to develop wisdom. To me, wisdom is knowledge, intelligence, and insight developed through experience and humbly listening to people who have knowledge and experiences beyond mine.”
• Seek authentic self-expression: “My mission is to express myself authentically , reflecting every day on how my words, actions, and creations align with my core values. This journey towards authenticity is ongoing and evolving, helping me understand and articulate who I truly am.”
• Change what’s in my control: “I pledge to focus my energies on what I can control in my life. I will strive to change my circumstances when possible, and adapt my attitude when it isn’t. By understanding and accepting this distinction, I will bring about the most positive outcomes for myself and those around me.”
• Creating harmony between mind-body-soul: “I am committed to fostering harmony between my mind, body, and soul. This means balancing mental challenges with physical exercise and spiritual nourishment, nurturing every part of my being, and achieving a healthier and more balanced life.”
• Cultivate emotional intelligence : “I am committed to nurturing my emotional intelligence. This involves understanding my own emotions, demonstrating empathy, and adapting my attitude when necessary, leading to stronger and more effective personal and professional relationships.”
• Foster innovative thinking: “My mission is to foster innovative thinking. I will strive to always question, explore, and reimagine the world around me, aiming to leave a legacy of creativity and change.”
• Live sustainably and promote environmental consciousness: “I pledge to live sustainably, focusing my energies on what I can control to reduce my environmental impact. Moreover, I will advocate for environmental consciousness within my community, contributing to a healthier planet.”
• Encourage diversity and inclusivity in my surroundings: “My mission is to promote diversity and inclusivity. I will strive to empower all voices and create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued, thereby fostering a sense of community and belonging.”
• Be a mentor and guide to others: “I will dedicate my time to mentoring and guiding others. By sharing my wisdom and experiences, I can help others navigate their own journeys, leaving a legacy of kindness and service.”
• Lead with integrity and honesty: “I am committed to leading with integrity and honesty in all endeavors. I will hold myself to a high standard, aligning my actions with my core values and striving for transparency in every interaction.”
• Cultivate a balanced and peaceful lifestyle: “My mission is to cultivate a lifestyle that is peaceful and balanced. I will practice mindfulness, express gratitude for my blessings, and strive to find harmony between my personal, professional, and spiritual life.”
• Maintain physical fitness and promote healthy living: “I pledge to maintain my physical fitness and promote healthy living in my community. I will strive to make smart choices regarding diet, exercise, and self-care, thereby embodying and promoting a vision of holistic health.”
• A lifelong learning mindset: “With a commitment to growth and a spirit of exploration, I will always seek to broaden my knowledge and perspectives. Embracing challenges and viewing effort as a pathway to mastery, I believe learning is an ongoing journey, not a destination.”
• Advocate for social justice and equality: “I am committed to advocating for social justice and equality. I will dedicate myself to being a catalyst for change, promoting fairness, and empowering the disadvantaged, contributing to a more equitable society.”
• Practice mindfulness and presence in daily life: “My mission is to cultivate mindfulness and presence in my daily life. By committing to this practice, I will enhance my emotional intelligence, develop resilience, and foster a deeper connection to the world around me.”
• Enhance personal and professional relationships: “I pledge to improve and deepen my personal and professional relationships. By demonstrating empathy, respect, and honesty, I will foster meaningful connections and contribute to a vibrant, supportive community.”
• Invest in self-care and well-being: “My mission is to invest time and energy in self-care and well-being. Through this practice, I will ensure a balanced life, promote a positive mindset, and prepare myself to better serve others.”
• Strive for financial independence and stability: “I am dedicated to achieving financial independence and stability. By making smart and informed decisions, I aim to create a secure foundation that enables personal growth , adventure, and service to my community.”
• Foster a spirit of exploration and adventure: “I commit to embracing a spirit of exploration and adventure. By welcoming new experiences and fostering curiosity, I will maintain a lifelong learning mindset, and continually evolve as an individual.”
• Practice empathy towards all: “My mission is to cultivate empathy in all my interactions. By striving to understand others’ perspectives, I will empower those around me and contribute to a community rooted in kindness and mutual understanding.”
• Embrace change and maintain flexibility: “I am dedicated to embracing change and demonstrating flexibility. I see change as an opportunity for growth, and I will cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude in the face of evolving circumstances.”
• Nurture a positive and optimistic mindset: “My mission is to cultivate a positive and optimistic mindset. By seeking the silver lining in every situation, I aim to inspire myself and those around me to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.”
• Advocate for the welfare and rights of animals: “My mission is to advocate for the welfare and rights of animals. I will use my voice and actions to promote humane treatment of animals, contributing to a more compassionate and ethical world.”
• Make informed and responsible choices: “I pledge to make informed and responsible choices that align with my values and the greater good. I am committed to reflecting on the implications of my decisions and acting in a way that contributes positively to my community and the environment.”
• Create meaningful connections with people: “I strive to create meaningful connections with people. Through empathy, open-mindedness, and genuine engagement, I aim to nurture relationships that enrich my life and the lives of others.”
• Develop and demonstrate leadership skills : “My mission is to develop and demonstrate effective leadership skills. I strive to lead with integrity, empathy, and resilience, inspiring others to achieve their best and fostering a spirit of teamwork and mutual respect.”
• Seek to understand and respect differing perspectives: “I pledge to understand and respect differing perspectives. I believe that diversity of thought enriches our society, and I strive to promote inclusivity and mutual respect in all my interactions.”
• Foster creativity in myself and others: “My mission is to cultivate creativity in myself and others. I will continually explore new ideas, foster an environment that encourages innovation, and inspire those around me to express their unique perspectives and talents.”
• Commit to the pursuit of knowledge: “I commit to the continuous pursuit of knowledge. By maintaining a curious and open mind, I strive to learn from every experience, deepen my understanding, and contribute to my personal and professional growth.”
• Seek to find joy in the everyday : “My mission is to find joy in everyday moments. I commit to practicing mindfulness, expressing gratitude for the simple things, and cherishing each day as a unique gift.”
• Be a source of encouragement and positivity: “I strive to be a source of encouragement and positivity for those around me. By uplifting others, celebrating their achievements, and offering supportive words, I aim to foster a more compassionate and optimistic community.”
• Pursue a path of continuous learning and development: “I am dedicated to pursuing a path of continuous learning and development. By always seeking to improve, learn, and grow, I aim to better myself and contribute more effectively to my community and the world at large.”
• Prioritize balance in all aspects of life: “I commit to prioritizing balance in all aspects of life. This includes fostering harmony between work and personal time, mental and physical health, and personal desires and community responsibilities, to cultivate a peaceful and fulfilling lifestyle.”
• Strive to be a good listener and communicator: “I aim to be a good listener and communicator. By practicing active listening and clear, empathetic communication, I will strengthen my relationships and foster mutual understanding and respect.”
• Cultivate and express artistic talents: “My mission is to cultivate and express my artistic talents. Through this creative exploration, I aim to express my unique perspectives, contribute to the cultural richness of my community, and inspire others to express their creativity.”
• Strive to make a positive impact on the environment: “I am committed to making a positive impact on the environment. By living sustainably, advocating for environmental consciousness, and influencing positive change, I hope to leave a meaningful environmental legacy.”
• Seek simplicity and contentment: “My mission is to seek simplicity and contentment in life. By valuing the essential, expressing gratitude for what I have, and finding joy in simple pleasures, I aim to cultivate a lifestyle of peace and fulfillment.”
• Develop and foster a spirit of entrepreneurship: “I am dedicated to fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship. By embracing innovation, taking informed risks, and learning from both success and failure, I aim to contribute to economic growth and social impact.”
• Strive for integrity in actions and communication: “I strive to uphold integrity in my actions and communication. By aligning my actions with my values, being transparent, and communicating honestly, I aim to build trust and respect in my personal and professional relationships.”
• Embrace new technologies and innovation: “My mission is to embrace new technologies and innovation. By staying informed about technological advances and integrating them into my work and life, I aim to enhance productivity, creativity, and the quality of life for myself and my community.”
• Cultivate and foster peace and harmony in relationships: “I am committed to fostering peace and harmony in my relationships. By promoting understanding, showing empathy, and resolving conflicts with grace, I aim to create strong, fulfilling, and respectful relationships.”
• Advocate for responsible consumerism: “I pledge to advocate for responsible consumerism. By making informed choices, promoting sustainability, and encouraging others to do the same, I aim to contribute to a healthier planet and a more equitable economy.”
• Care and provide for my family: “My mission is to care for and provide for my family. By being present, offering support, and ensuring their needs are met, I aim to create a nurturing and secure environment for my loved ones.”
• Cultivate self-discipline and good habits: “I commit to cultivating self-discipline and good habits . By maintaining focus, setting realistic goals, and consistently pursuing them, I aim to achieve personal and professional growth.”
• Influence others by my deeds: “I strive to influence others positively through my deeds. By acting with kindness, integrity, and respect, I aim to inspire others to do the same and contribute to a more compassionate and respectful community.”

See Also: How to Write a Values Statement

A personal mission statement for a resume needs to be personalized to you and your unique values and moral, goals, and life circumstances. You may also want to adjust it depending on the context in which you’re using it – i.e. if you’re asked to make a personal mission for work, then it’d likely incorporate elements of your job into it.

Also note that you’re always free to adjust your personal mission statement over time, so create one that’s true to you right now, but be willing to adjust it every few months.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

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20 Inspiring Examples: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 3, 2023 — 5 minutes to read

A personal mission statement is a declaration of your guiding principles, goals, and aspirations in life. It helps you articulate your purpose, clarify your values, and make better decisions, both personally and professionally.

Having a personal mission statement is important for staying grounded and focused, especially when faced with difficult choices or setbacks in your life. By clearly defining your mission, you can:

• Gain a sense of direction
• Set priorities
• Align actions with core values
• Improve decision-making
• Motivate yourself
• Enhance personal growth and development

Key Components

In order to craft an effective personal mission statement, it’s important to consider three key components:

• Purpose: Reflect on your passions, what motivates you, and what you believe you were meant to do in this world.
• Core values: What are the principles that govern your behavior and decision-making? Think about the qualities you value most, such as integrity, kindness, or perseverance. Learn more: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values
• Goals: What do you hope to achieve in life, both personally and professionally? Determine what kind of impact you want to make in the world and set specific, measurable objectives that will help you reach that goal.

Be honest with yourself and choose elements that truly resonate with you, rather than adopting someone else’s beliefs or expectations. If your mission statement reflects your authentic self, it will be a far more effective tool for personal growth and fulfillment.

Examples of Personal Mission Statements

In this section, you’ll find a variety of personal mission statement examples tailored to different roles, lifestyles, and aspirations.

Example 1: Student

As a student, your mission might be to excel academically and develop meaningful relationships. Example: “To achieve academic excellence, cultivate lifelong friendships, and make a positive impact on my university community.”

Example 2: Career Professional

Your mission as a career professional could be to advance in your industry, exemplify integrity, and balance work and personal life. Example: “To grow professionally, maintain a high level of integrity, and achieve a healthy work-life balance.”

Example 3: Parent

As a parent, your mission could be to nurture, teach, and support your children, preparing them for the future. Example: “To provide a loving, enriching environment for my children, empowering them with the tools to succeed and grow.”

Example 4: Retiree

Your mission as a retiree can be to enjoy your golden years, staying healthy, and remaining active in your community. Example: “To maintain my health, engage in fulfilling hobbies, and contribute positively to my community.”

Example 5: Entrepreneur

“To create innovative solutions and provide exceptional value to my customers and my community.”

Example 6: Freelancer

“To deliver outstanding work to my clients while maintaining flexibility and work-life balance.”

Example 7: Community Volunteer

“To dedicate my time and skills to causes that make a meaningful impact in my community.”

Example 8: Environmentalist

“To contribute to a sustainable future through conscious choices and meaningful actions.”

Example 9: Artist

“To express my creativity, tell compelling stories, and touch the lives of others through my art.”

Example 10: Innovator

“To think critically, explore new possibilities, and develop groundbreaking solutions for the future.”

Top-20 Examples of Personal Mission Statements:

• To live a life of purpose and make a positive impact on the world around me.
• To constantly learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and inspire others to do the same.
• To be a compassionate and empathetic listener, and provide support to those who need it.
• To live a life of integrity and honesty, and always act with kindness and respect towards others.
• To use my creativity and innovation to solve problems and bring new ideas to the table.
• To make a difference in my community and give back to those in need.
• To be a role model for others, especially young people, and inspire them to pursue their dreams.
• To live a life of balance, and prioritize my relationships, hobbies, and passions alongside my work.
• To be a leader who empowers others and helps them reach their full potential.
• To embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.
• To live a life of mindfulness and presence, and appreciate the beauty of the world around me.
• To be a responsible and ethical citizen, and contribute to the betterment of society.
• To be a lifelong advocate for social justice and equality.
• To be a positive force in the lives of those around me, and spread joy and positivity wherever I go.
• To be a lifelong learner and teacher, sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.
• To be a steward of the environment, and work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
• To be a supportive and loving partner, parent, and friend.
• To prioritize my physical and mental health, and encourage others to do the same.
• To be a lifelong learner and seeker of truth, always questioning and challenging my own beliefs.
• To be a champion for diversity and inclusion, and celebrate the unique qualities of every individual.

Creating Your Personal Mission Statement

Identifying your values.

Understanding your core values is essential in creating a personal mission statement. These values should reflect what is most important to you, and they will be the foundation of your mission statement. To help you identify your values, consider the following steps:

• Reflect on your past experiences and the values that were demonstrated in those situations.
• Ask yourself what values you hold most dear and which ones guide your decisions.

Learn more: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values Once you have a list of potential values, narrow it down to the top 3-5 that resonate with you the most: these will serve as the basis for your personal mission statement.

Setting Your Goals

Now that you have identified your values, it’s time to set your personal and professional goals. These goals should align with your values and form the framework of your mission statement. Here are some steps to assist you in setting your goals:

• Break your life into categories (such as career, relationships, and personal growth).
• Consider both short-term and long-term goals within each category.
• Be specific and realistic about what you want to achieve.

With clearly defined goals, you will be better equipped to create a mission statement that is focused and actionable.

Writing Your Statement

Now that you have defined your values and goals, you can begin crafting your personal mission statement. Keep the following tips in mind while writing your statement:

• Begin with a powerful opening sentence that encapsulates your values and aspirations.
• Be clear in expressing your goals and how they align with your values.
• Write in the present tense and use positive language to project confidence.

Your personal mission statement should be a reflection of who you are and what you hope to achieve. Revise and refine your statement until you feel it accurately represents your values, goals, and aspirations.

A great mission statement should resonate deeply within you and help to shape your decisions and actions.

• 20 Examples of Life Goals
• Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values
• 20+ Best Core Values: Examples for Healthcare Industry
• How to Live By Your Values
• 10+ Mission Statement Examples for Energy & Chemicals
• 10 Best Mission Statements Examples for Travel & Accommodation

• Life Purpose

These 21 Personal Mission Statement Examples are Powerful Reasons for Being

Mission statements – What are they, how do you write one, why, and what are some personal mission statement examples you can use for inspiration?

But first – Why bother?

The people you look up to all over social media. The entrepreneurs, the people doing “big things”.

They’ve all got personal mission statements that they live their lives by.

A mission statement is a journey of self discovery. They’re not wishy washy wastes of time – they’re the “know thyself” that you need to really live your life like your on a mission.

• Missions do big things
• missions give you faith,
• they give you motivation,
• and transform you into an unstoppable force.

People who have personal mission statements walk a bit head first into life with confidence, certainty and an “I’m gonna kick your ass” attitude.

The problem is, you have to dig deep to know what kind of mission you’re on.

Questions arise like:

• Do I choose the mission?
• Does the mission choose me?
• How do I make others care about my mission?
• I don’t even know what I want my mission to be? How do I create a vision for it?

But nobody ever showed us how to create our own personal vision – and that’s a problem.

So in this post I’ll show you exactly how I radically transformed my life and business by digging deep and fashioning my own personal mission.

But first…

What is a (Personal) mission statement?

A good mission statement distills what you are, how you want to be seen, and who/what matters to you into a palatable and nutritious master plan that (ideally) will not fail.

What is a good mission statement?

A good mission statement takes a vision and turns it into an action plan. 

Example of a mission statement : My mission is to mitigate the trade offs of my country’s view on capitalism by being generous to the homeless and poor, and educating companies on how to maintain honor and integrity in a world that wants them to pander for popularity and revenue.

Example of a bad mission statement: I want to make my country a better place. (more of a generic desire than an actual mission)

What should a personal mission statement say anyway? Think about this conversation between Cody Lundin and Joe Teti from the show Dual Survival (one of my favorite shows to watch and re-watch).

“How much preparation goes into planning a mission” – Cody

“Weeks. Sometimes months.” – Joe

Joe was in the military. You wont need to spend months preparing a mission statement but you should take it that seriously . This is what you’ll be spending your life doing.

The best examples of a personal mission statement will have the following as their key components :

• Your Core Identity
• The impact you leave on the world
• Your mission as a whole

Your mission statement is what you do each day ( short-term goals ) to reach the end result that you would like to see someday (long-term effect). A personal mission statement is not only your GPS guidance system, but it serves as a reference point for all the decisions you make in life.

We use mission statements to be the deciding factor when it comes to making basic and strategic decisions.

• they’re who you want to become
• who you imagine yourself to be
• embody your world philosophy and how you see yourself

In a world where you have endless options that could occupy your time, getting results in your personal growth requires that your actions be effective , and a personal mission statement gives you a map for doing so.

Mission statements are:

• A strategy for getting the results you want in life
• A map that shows you how to reach the summit of your dreams
• A story you tell about the impact and mark you will leave on the world
• Your guide for saying “yes” and “no” in a sea of endless options

Read : Mission statements are not the same as Vision Statements!

What are the 3 parts of a mission statement?

The three main components of a mission statement are your vision (as an action step), the group you help, and the problem you solve for that group.

What is a Good Mission Statement Example?

“My/Our mission is to aid health care workers achieve a balance between work and life so that their own health doesn’t suffer while they aid others.”

Personal Mission Statement Example’s

“I’m meant to be a factual, focused and organized person . My mission in life is to bring structure and foundation to third world countries so they may stop being so exploited by the first world . Also, to help  people with no sense of direction in life find a path that will create stability where they can thrive. “

“I’m an intuitive, giving, insightful and creative person, and my mission in life is to  help companies and organizations in the world gain insight into the problems they’re having when the normal strategies don’t work . I do this by taking a different, insightful approach to fixing their problems when they’re used to doing everything by the book. Also, I want to help  less imaginative people think outside the box   so that they can  come up with creative ways to solve their problems. “

“I’m meant to be a  ambitious, self confident, and deliberate person and my mission in life is to  help new political leaders made sound and effective decisions while in office . Also, to help  people during their mid life crises make careful planned decisions so that they can take back control of their lives . “

“I’m charismatic, idealistic and outpsoken person. My mission in life is to help others connect with those they love when they have trouble finding things in common . Specifically, I like to hel parents connect with their children during their teenage years so that they can foster good relationships early on in life. “

“I’m a sensitive, energetic, and sociable person  and my mission in life is to  create a sense of belonging and companionship in the lives of those who’ve been abandoned . I enjoy helping the elderly feel loved when they have no family , or their current family is not able to spend time with them. I also work with adopted children to help them understand their parents so that they dont grow up feeling abandoned. “

“Words that describe me are  ambitious, idealistic, goal oriented and practical. My mission in life is to help new entrepreneurs develop strategies for their budding companies and help them have serious impact on society . Also, to help individuals set goals that will help them feel fulfilled in life  so that they can  exist in a state of passion and purpose. “

Short Personal Mission Statement Examples

• To teach the middle class how to invest their earnings wisely.
• Showing college students how to be fulfilled after school.
• To instill a love of learning in small children.
• Giving senior citizens the inspiration to become leaders in their communities.
• Educating people on how to have rock solid mental fortitude.

Examples of Personal Mission Statements for your Career

• Educating entry level workers on how to identify with the company vision.
• To make sure higher level executives aren’t out of touch with the lower level employees.
• To go above and beyond my duties as a matter of integrity.
• To focus more at work, instead of watching the clock.
• To appreciate that I’m capable of earning an income.

Personal Mission Statement Examples for Leaders

• To be as efficient with my companies resources and time as possible.
• To remember that I used to be entry level and listen to my employees.
• To understand that not everything matters, only efficient tasks are a priority.
• To constantly learn how to do my job better.
• To make my work environment pleasant to be in for myself and others.

Personal Mission Statement Examples for College Students

• To embrace my time at college and take full advantage of what is offered.
• To set myself up so I’m prepared monetarily for after school.
• To embrace moderation with my work and recreation.
• For the next four years, I will find what I am truly passionate about.
• To learn book knowledge, but also discover my unique place in this worked.

Personal Mission Statement Examples for Nurses & Healthcare Workers

• To take my own medical advice and create health in my own life.
• To speak medical truth regardless if its popular.
• To instruct others about health so well I’m eventually out of a job (because everyone is healthy).
• To prioritize my sleep and lay off things like caffeine and cigarettes.
• To instill confidence in patients when they need a pick-me-up.

Personal Mission Statement Examples of famous people

So, what are some good examples of a mission statement? Check out these popular individuals below and what their missions are.

• “To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of women around the world.” – Amanda Steinburg – Dailyworth.com
• “To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” – Oprah Winfrey ‘s mission statement
• “To have fun in (my) journey through life and learn from (my) mistakes.” – Richard Branson ‘s personal mission statement
• “To live life with integrity and empathy, and be a positive force in the lives of others.” – Amy Ziari
• “Improve lives. The concept of improving lives runs through the center of everything I do.” – Will Smith ‘ s Personal Mission Statement
• My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – Maya Angelou
• I shall not fear anyone on Earth. I shall fear only God. I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering. – Gandhi

Mission Statement Examples of Big Organizations

• To honor and empower wounded Warriors – Wounded Warrior Project
• To inspire and empower people affected by cancer. – LiveStrong’s Mission Statement
• To create content that educates, informs and inspires. – PBS
• Bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. – Charity Water’s mission statement
• Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future. – National Wildlife Federation
• To build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. – American Heart Association personal mission statement
• To provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. – ASPCA

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

So how do we create our personal vision statement? Easy

• Figure Yourself Out. Who are you?
• Describe what you do. Who are you? And what do you do?
• What Transformation would you like to see in the world?
• Combine all of these elements into a simple statement.

Here are some Personal Mission Statement Examples for Life areas across the board, but first…This is the simplest formula for how to write a mission statement.

Difference between Vision and Mission

This is the difference between life vision and life mission.

Vision: A future without disease.

Mission: To spread healthy food opportunities to parts of the world who don’t have them.

The vision is the foundation for the mission that achieves it. Healthy food helps prevent unnecessary diseases in humans.

Step 1: Know Thyself

Find a huge list of nouns on the internet somewhere and pull some from the list that describe who you are now, or who you desire to be in the future. Try to come up with a list of nouns off the top of your head that describe you as a person right now.

Answer these questions:

• Who are you?
• Why are you?
• Assume there is a reason for your existence: what is it?

Step 2: What Actions Do You Take?

• What do you do?
• How do you do it?
• How do you look when you’re doing it?

Also Read: How to Answer “What Should I Do With My Life?”

Step 3: The Change You Will Cause

• Look at the world in it’s current state, where are the holes in the worlds armor that you plan to patch up?
• What skills do you plan to use to do this?
• What causes will you support?
• What ideals do you stand for?
• Who will you serve?

Step 4: Combine Everything Together

Give yourself the freedom to simplify everything into one sentence. Write down a sentence that combines who you are, what you do, and who you do it for.

Mission Statements: Other things to Consider

Who will you help.

It helps to narrow down a specific group that you will serve. This could be a group that suffers through something you’ve conquered already, a group you sympathize with, or a group that is affected by the impact you desire to make.

What Path Will You Travel?

Let’s be honest: life is nothing but a serious of paths we take. These paths are made up of choices we make, and those choices define the experiences we have. The dreaded comfort zone is what makes our life dull and gray looking. In fact, most of humanity is living a life in black and white. So when we understand that all path’s can be traveled by everyone, and everyone can do so simply by choosing to, which path will you take?

A good way to craft a broad idea of the path you will take in life, think of fictional characters and what they represent

• The Magician: is imaginative and makes our wildest dreams reality
• The Innocent: simply want’s everyone to be happy and comfortable
• The Outlaw: desires revolution, justice, fights for a cause and creates innovation
• The Sage: is always seeking the truth underlying our material illusion
• The Jester: makes fun of things other’s take seriously, carefree and silly
• The Lover: live life in passion, pleasure, romance, and sensuality. They seek out beauty.
• The Explorer: everything in life is one giant adventure
• The Ruler: they desire power and resources
• The Caregiver: only wants to nurture others create environments conducive for people’s growth
• The Hero: desires to see other’s be the best they can be by throwing challenges their way
• The Regular: just want’s to belong and befriend everyone
• The Creator: more practical than the magician, creators make things like toilet paper, rather than the magician, who would imagine a toilet with spray jets.

Write Your Own Eulogy

Pretend you’re a person speaking at your own funeral… about you. Write down a few sentences about what you would say to get an idea of who you desire to be in the future. You’ll still be yourself, but a more refined version.

Take the Gravestone Test

Kain Ramsey has what he calls the gravestone test. You draw a headstone on a piece of paper, and write in what it would say about you. I actually have that exercise that he uses with his own clients and I’m allowed to share it with you.

It’s something you can do on your own – copy the image below onto a sheet of paper, and write down what you’d hope others would say about you after you die.

Don’t let it get you depressed – it’s just an exercise!

Figure Out Your Personality Traits

Places to start:

• 16 personality type questionnaire

You can also check out: The Big 5 personality type s, Your Astrological sign, Meyers-briggs , your personal ruling archetype for ideas on what qualities you embody as a person.

What Are Your Core Values?

As a self-development/personal growth author, I put out a decent amount of content about goal setting, goals in general, motivation, procrastination etc… So here’s my experience with myself and others and I think it will help you a bunch.

Nothing will motivate you more when the going gets tough than a set of values that needs to be more present in the world.

For example, whenever I don’t feel like writing, I automatically think about the people in this world who want positive change in their lives and don’t have access to the information they need.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Instead of thinking about the pain that comes with doing the work, think about the pain that accompanies not having the results that the work gives you.” quote=”Instead of thinking about the pain that comes with doing the work, think about the pain that accompanies not having the results that the work gives you.”]

That gets me off my ass and to the computer with my books to work.

[thrive_megabutton mt=”ALSO READ” st=”How to Set Life on Fire by Being Self Motivated” color=”blue” link=”https://thelifesynthesis.com/self-motivated/” target=”_blank” align=”aligncenter”]

Some of my values are

• Independence and freedom
• Responsibility
• Freedom of, and access to life-changing information.

These are the things that keep you going when it’s cold and rainy outside because they almost feel bigger than we are, like our vision and mission need to be done and we have to be the ones to do it.

Take the core values quiz here.

How Will You Change the World with your Values?

A vision statement is really about the change you want to see in the world. Or at least, how you plan on living your life such that this change occurs. If you look at the small list of my values above, you can see why you’re even reading this article that I wrote.

• I imagine a world where everyone takes responsibility for their own happiness and life experiences
• I think that people should have the freedom to do so, and have access to the information to aid them
• Ultimately, I see life as one huge adventure, and I think we all have the choice to shape it to our liking

Can you see how that turns into a personal growth blog?

By spreading information about personal growth, I help others eliminate obstacles to their own happiness that they may not have known where there.

I compile the most relevant information that everyone can pick from to learn about themselves, others, and the world they live in, so they can navigate it better.

To get started with creating your personal mission statement example, tilt your head up and to the left, and start daydreaming about how awesome the world could be if it transformed like [FILL IN THE BLANK].

Then, decide what part you’re gonna play in that transformation.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of which avenue (method) you’ve chosen to pursue a mission statement is highly recommended when pursuing any meaning in life. How could you dispense with a tool that requires deep introspection and the full strength of your imagination? It not only allows you to discover who you are, but plants the seed required to formulate a master plan to pursue whatever dreams you may have.

A vision leads to a mission , and a mission will always involve some type of service that not only challenges you and serves others but allows you to leave a live where someone else is saving you and transforms you into the hero.

My favorite Tools for this

Goal Setting 101 (for individuals)

The Power of Clarity

High Performance Leadership (for leaders of organizations and groups)

Related Posts

20 most common reasons fail finding their passion and purpose, how to write a personal vision statement for clarity, focus and motivation, how to evolve your life vision over a lifetime.

Brian Wright is an Achology Certified Life Coach who has helped hundreds of people reach their self improvement goals since 2017 using proven scientific research, wisdom acquired from practice and knowledge from a life of constantly learning.

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Thrive with Purpose & Confidence

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement that Inspires You?

October 1, 2024

The secret to living your most meaningful and fulfilling life isn’t just to set and achieve more goals. It’s about finding a deeper purpose in what you do. To understand why you do what you do in the first place.

Crafting a personal mission statement can help you do just that. 

The most inspiring personal mission statement meets the crossroads between what’s important to you and the impact you want to make.

Imagine waking up every day with a sense of purpose. 

You jump out of bed with excitement, ready to tackle the day ahead.

A personal mission statement excites you to work on your craft and improve yourself. It also makes your setbacks and challenges more meaningful. 

That’s the power of identifying your life’s mission.

In this article, you’ll learn how to write a personal mission statement to gain a sense of purpose and direction.

Are you ready to enrich your life with meaning and joy?

Then let’s dive in!

First, what is a personal mission statement?

A personal mission statement is a clear, concise declaration of your purpose in life. It reflects your highest values and the impact you want to make.

Unlike personal goals , your mission centers around the big-picture vision that reflects the difference you seek to make in the world .

The cousin of a mission statement is a personal vision statement . While your mission focuses on your values and purpose, a vision statement emphasizes who you aspire to become in the future.

What is the value of a personal mission statement?

Similar to having a mission statement in business, a personal mission statement helps you to prioritize tasks and focus your energy.

Having a personal mission statement will…

• provide clarity on what to focus on in life.
• provide direction that guides your decisions and actions.
• empower authenticity by making choices that reflect your true self.
• increase self-discipline to maintain consistent effort even when you experience setbacks, face challenges, or achieve short-term goals.
• build self-esteem and confidence by aligning your actions with your core values, building self-worth and trust in yourself.
• inspire continuous self-improvement as you must learn, adapt, and grow to the ambitions of your mission.

Ultimately, determination and your ability to focus on what matters without being distracted are key to your success.

A personal mission statement ticks both boxes.

20 Famous personal mission statement examples

Who do you admire most?

You probably have a pretty good sense of what they stand for. That’s because almost all inspirational people have a clear purpose for their life.

Take a look at the following personal mission statement examples:

• Elon Musk: If something is important enough you should try, even if the probable outcome is failure.
• Walt Disney: To make people happy.
• Albert Einstein: To seek and explore the mysteries of the universe, and use that knowledge for the betterment of humanity.
• Mahatma Gandhi: To be the change I wish to see in the world.
• Richard Branson: To have fun in my journey through life and learn from my mistakes.
• Mark Zuckerberg: To connect the world.
• Jeff Bezos: To make earth’s most customer-centric company.
• Oprah Winfrey: To be a teacher and to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.
• Maya Angelou: My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.
• Stephen Covey: To live with integrity and to make a difference in the lives of others.
• Martin Luther King Jr.: To inspire and empower people to take action for positive change.
• Marie Curie: To advance the understanding of science for the benefit of humanity.
• Nelson Mandela: To end the injustice of apartheid and inspire future generations to fight for freedom.
• Sheryl Sandberg: To build a world where more women can have their voices heard.
• J.K. Rowling: To bring magic to the lives of children and remind adults that they once believed in magic too.
• Steve Jobs: To create products that inspire and empower people to change the world.
• Mother Teresa: To serve the poor and show compassion to all, recognizing the humanity in every individual.
• Serena Williams: To be the best version of myself on and off the court, inspiring others to pursue their goals with passion and perseverance.
• Jane Goodall : To foster a greater understanding and compassion for the natural world and inspire action to protect all living beings.
• Eleanor Roosevelt: To live with courage, always advocating for human rights and justice, and encouraging others to do the same.

And here’s my mission statement to conclude this list:

• Mick de Boer: To be free and free others.

How to write a personal mission for yourself?

Did the personal mission statement examples of famous people inspire you? 

While they gave me ideas, they also felt somewhat cryptic.

These examples are so simple and clear, yet writing my mission statement was still quite a challenge.

So I broke the process up into 5 manageable steps.

Step 1: What are your most important values?

Identifying your core values provides a solid foundation for writing an authentic and fulfilling mission statement. 

What inspires you ?

Answer the following questions:

• What are the 3 most important values to you?
• Why do these things matter so much to you?
• How would your life change if you prioritized these?

Need more help?

Here’s a comprehensive list of core value examples .

Step 2: What problem bothers you the most?

The most impactful purpose aims to solve a problem or need beyond your life goals , needs, and desires.

Reflect on the issues or challenges that you’re passionate about:

• What bothers you in the world – and why?
• What technologies or innovations excite you – and why?
• What personal challenges have you overcome – and how?
• What change do you wish to see in your family, community, or globally?
• If you had unlimited resources, what problem would you solve first?
• What’s one issue or problem you can’t stop thinking about?
• What injustices anger or upset you?

The answers provide a deeper understanding of the burning problems that motivate and inspire you. A good personal mission statement reflects one of the problems that deeply matters to you.

Also read: Simple ways to make a difference in the world

Step 3: How can you make the greatest impact?

Your personal strengths and natural talents often reveal how you can make your best contribution. 

An alternative angle is to think about your passions. When you pursue your interests, you’ll experience more joy when learning the craft, even when you face setbacks or challenges.

• What are my strengths and talents?
• What skills do I already have?
• What are my passions and interests?
• How do I currently spend my free time?
• What topics would I love to learn more about?

You can dive deeper with my guides on finding your passion and a list of personal strengths . Another fast track to self-discovery is by taking one of the best free personality tests .

Step 4: Write drafts with personal mission statement templates

Personal mission statement templates are useful to get started. Simply inject your insights from the previous steps into the following templates:

• To create [positive change/key value] by using my skills in [your talent/skill/interest/passion] to [the impact you seek to make] .
• To continuously grow in [personal or professional area] while helping others [positive action or outcome] .
• To live a life where I prioritize [core value] while contributing to [cause or problem] .
• To use my [talent/skill/passion/interest] to positively impact [community or group] and create lasting change in [area or cause] .
• To inspire others to [value/action/mindset] .
• To explore and express my creativity through [craft or passion] , pushing boundaries and inspiring others to think outside the box, while making a positive impact in [industry/community/cause] .
• To overcome challenges and setbacks with resilience, using my experiences to grow stronger and help others do the same while staying committed to [value] in both good times and bad.

Personal example for the personal mission statement templates

Here’s one example of myself for each of the templates above:

• To create freedom by using my skills in writing to inspire others to live a more authentic and fulfilling life .
• To continuously grow my writing skills while helping others live a more authentic and fulfilling life .
• To live a life where I prioritize freedom while contributing to others to live more authentic and fulfilling lives .
• To use my passion for self-improvement to positively impact young adults and create lasting change in their levels of joy and fulfillment .
• To inspire others to unlock freedom – both internally and externally .
• To explore and express my creativity through writing , pushing boundaries and inspiring others to think outside the box, while making a positive impact in redefining what success means .
• To overcome challenges and setbacks with resilience, using my experiences to grow stronger and help others do the same while staying committed to pursuing freedom and joy in both good times and bad.

Step 5: Refining your personal mission statement

Do you already feel excited about one of your drafts? While I recommend you explore further, you might already have your final version.

If you created many drafts but feel unsure about any, ask yourself:

• What is the most dominant theme that shows up?
• What is the core essence of most of your drafts?
• What is the most common value, skill, passion, interest?

Decide on the single most important aspects in each area and plug them back into the templates.

Finally, refine your statement with the following rules:

• Shorten your mission statement by removing words or using more powerful synonyms without changing its core essence.
• Experiment with being more specific or more generic.
• Use strong, positive, and action-oriented words.
• Use emotional words that inspire you.
• Keep it simple.

Another vital tip: Let your mission statement rest for a while. Don’t think about it. Come back after a couple of days to redefine it. 

Taking time off does wonders.

Finally, writing your personal mission statement is not about perfection, especially if it’s your first time creating one. Instead, see your mission statement as a guide to help you focus your time and energy.

Your mission statement can evolve as you grow and gain new insights about yourself and life in general. I’ve also redefined and refined my mission many times.

How long should your personal mission statement be?

While there’s no specific length for your personal mission statement, keeping it simple, short, and concrete is most impactful.

The most famous personal mission statements are formulated in a single sentence. But when you look closer, you notice that some are strung together with comma’s or a semicolon.

The average word count is 14 – but the longest consists of 26 words. 

And although you may resonate with some more than others, none of the mission statements is better than the rest.

The conclusion?

There’s no exact science here.

What’s most important is that your mission statement inspires you.

• Does it focus on the core essence of what’s most important to you?
• Does your personal mission statement feel complete?
• And does it fire you up or at least inspire you to act?

If you can answer all the questions with a yes, that’s perfect.

Remember: Even if you still doubt your personal mission, you’ll gain more insights through action, which enables you to refine your statement.

The goal isn’t perfection; it’s to gain clarity and direction.

How to live your personal mission statement?

Once you’ve written your mission statement, it’s time to live by it. 

The first step is to set goals that align with your mission . While your personal mission statement provides direction, goals provide a plan for action.

Finally, check out these resources to realize your mission:

• Get the best goal planner to take consistent action.
• Use the best guided journals for self-reflection and growth.
• Read the best books about finding purpose for more inspiration.

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How To Write A Personal Mission Statement (And 28 Mission Statement Examples)

Do you have a personal mission statement ?

If not, you should.

Early in my career, I was inspired to create one when I worked in public relations for the JCPenney Company.

James Cash Penney, the founder of the once giant retailer, based his business philosophy on one simple personal mission statement: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” — the Golden Rule.

In fact, his first store was called The Golden Rule.

This mission statement permeated every aspect of how Mr. Penney ran his business.

He asked for a “fair remuneration and not all the profits the traffic will bear,” and was the first to call employees “associates,” and he treated them like family.

During the stock market crash in the 1920's, Mr. Penney lost his personal fortune and took a loan against his life insurance in order to pay the associates' salaries.

What Is a Personal Mission Statement?

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One of my favorite quotes from Mr. Penney is this:

“Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals, and I'll give you a stock clerk.”

Mr. Penney understood the value of having goals that reflect your mission and how they can change the course of your life.

His goals for himself and his company were grounded in his personal mission statement of the Golden Rule.

Knowing his mission statement, it was much easier to build his business and remain focused.

Businesses create mission statements to provide purpose and direction for the organization.

But it's as vital for individuals to have a personal mission and a vision for themselves as it is for any business.

A personal mission statement is:

• A tool for making difficult decisions.
• A framework for how you want to live your life and express your life mission.
• A beacon to those around you about the kind of person you are.
• A declaration that motivates and inspires you to stay the course.
• A statement of your values and life priorities.

Creating a personal mission statement forces clarity, helps you define a plan of action, and serves as the foundation for your life goals.

It also helps you identify the underlying reasons for your choices and behaviors and what truly motivates you to make positive change.

As the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , Stephen Covey, says your mission statement is about “defining the personal, moral and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfill yourself.”

Writing down your mission statement on paper makes it real.

Your personal mission statement becomes your own personalized constitution — the basis for life-directing decisions, as well as making daily choices that impact you and those around you.

We put together a mission statement template (pdf) for you to download and print. 

Use the personal mission statement template to write your own clear and concise personal vision for yourself .

Click here to download the template now.

How To Write a Personal Mission Statement

Think of a person in history or in your life whom you admire.

What are the qualities of that person that you would like to emulate?

These qualities can relate to their character , values, achievements, personality , or simply the way they live their lives. 

Consider the specific reasons you admire the person and list those qualities in detail.

Define the type of person you want to become, not just what you want to have or achieve.

This ideal should reflect your core values and your definition of living with integrity.

Consider all areas of your life, as a spouse, friend, employee, parent, etc. and who you want to be in each of those roles.

I find it helpful to write down the phrase, “As an ideal spouse (or friend, parent, etc.), I want to . . . .” Then fill in the end of the sentence with as many outcomes as you wish to become.

For example, you might write: As an ideal spouse, I want to:

• Express my love daily in words, affection, and action;
• Be supportive and attentive to my spouse's needs;
• Work through conflict calmly and in the spirit of compromise;
• Be fully present and emotionally intimate.

This exercise may take some time, but it is well worth the effort beyond its usefulness for your mission statement.

It helps you clarify your personal operating system and reminds you of what you are capable of becoming.

Determine all of your life roles (career, family, community, etc.), and write down a short statement of how you would like to be described in each of those roles.

Think about how you would like the important people in your life to remember you and talk about you.

For example, you might want your boss to say, “He was a man of character and integrity who was a compassionate and inspiring leader and a visionary for our organization.”

This exercise may feel awkward, but no one else has to see it.

It is to help you decide how you want to step into each of the roles in your life and to clarify in concise words how you want others to perceive you.

Write down a personal mission statement for the four fundamental elements of who you are: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

In each of these areas, what is the most important way you want to express yourself?

This may seem confusing, but it's really simple. We tend to go about our lives without considering our goals for our essential being and how we want to direct that ambition.

So with this exercise, see yourself as CEO of each of these four areas. As CEO of your physical life, your purpose might be to treat your body as sacred by practicing fitness, healthy eating, daily affection, and pleasurable physical experiences.

Your plan for your mental life might be to become a life-long learner by expanding your skills, problem-solving, and challenging yourself.

What are the talents and skills you possess that are most important to you and that you actually enjoy?

Part of your personal mission statement should reflect your best aptitudes and strengths, these are what create joy and energy in our lives.

When we spend our time on what we do well and enjoy, our lives not only have meaning but also it has vibrancy.

Make a list of all of your personal and professional talents, aptitudes, and skills — even those you may take for granted, like being a good friend or having the ability to organize well.

Then circle the skills you enjoy or find fulfilling. Focus on these.

Based on everything you outlined above, what are some related goals you want to achieve in your life? Goals are specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound.

As you look at the people who inspired you, the ideal self you've defined, the legacy you want to leave, the aspirations you have for the elements of your life, and the aptitudes you want to enjoy, what are the outcomes you want to achieve for your life?

You might want to create goals for various areas of your life — from your relationships to your hobbies.

Taking into account steps 1-6, begin to write a personal mission statement.

Keep it simple, clear and relatively brief — from a few sentences to a couple of paragraphs.

You can write it as a statement that flows or with bullet points. How you craft it is less important than what you want to express.

The point is you want a statement that will guide you in your day to day actions and decisions, as well as your long-term goals. Try to keep your words positive and affirmative . Focus on what you want rather than what you don't want.

Creating a mission statement is not something you do in a day. It does require introspection, self-analysis, clarity of mind, and often several drafts before you produce it in a final form.

It might take several weeks or even months before you feel really comfortable with your life mission statement. Feeling like your personal mission statement is complete and a concise expression of your innermost values and directions may take a few iterations.

Once you complete it, put it where you can review it daily so it motivates you to honor it in all of your actions and decisions.

You might need to revise it every few years as your life priorities change.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

Here are some personal mission statement examples from around the web. (Sources:  www.d.umn.edu , missionstatements.com , and  msb.franklincovey.com )

My mission is to act as an instrument of positive change in my family, my work and my community. I will utilize all of the talents that God has given me and will participate in all aspects of my life with energy, purpose and gratitude. I will utilize my talents in strategy and administration to ensure that my home is loving and calm, my workplace is productive and positive and my community is responsive and growing. Through this focus I will give more than I take and will provide a positive role model for my children.

My mission in life is to have my own family. I need to remember that what I do now in my life will affect them. Because of this, I try my best to do the right things that will benefit my future. I would someday like to have a large farm with horses where I can help handicapped children. I'd like to work with animals, perhaps even be a veterinarian. Most of all, I want to have time for my family. So today, I will study hard and stay away from things that may hinder my dream from happening .

To find happiness, fulfillment, and value in living, I will seek out and experience all of the pleasures and joys that life has to offer. My core values are not limitations restraining me on this hedonistic quest for fun. Rather, they provide a framework for identifying, pursuing, and achieving those pleasures that last the longest and are the most satisfying. The greatest joy of all is being worthy of the respect and admiration of family, friends, and business associates. 

To remember where I have been and where I will go through maintaining positive relationships with family and friends. To choose the ethical way by making a personal commitment to honesty and integrity. To find peacefulness within myself by looking inward while using my heart to guide my dreams and desires, and my mind to pursue knowledge, creating balance among all of my obligations. To content myself in my surroundings so I will always know where security lies within my life. To build a reputation of being dedicated to every goal I choose to pursue while having successes in both my personal and professional life. To enjoy every moment along this journey finding laughter, love, and happiness with each day that passes. 

To be humble. To say thanks to God in some way, every day. To never react to abuse by passing it on. To find the self within that does and can look at all sides without loss. I believe in treating all people with kindness and respect. I believe by knowing what I value, I truly know what I want. To be driven by values and beliefs. I want to experience life’s passions with the newness of a child’s love, the sweetness and joy of young love, and the respect and reverence of mature love. Finally, to go through life with a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eye.

Here are some additional mission statement examples we've crafted for you:

My mission is to live a life without resentment. I will use my mind and all my talents and skills to keep my life focused on gratitude, love, and forgiveness — to live my best life and to help others do the same. I have no room in my life for negative self-talk, grudges, or for pointless regret. Every morning, my goal is to take another step forward, keeping my mind and heart trained on the present and on the words, “Thank you,” I want everyone in my life to know exactly how they’ve made it better.

My mission in life is to exercise my freedom to think as I choose to think. I choose to see the good in every person and every situation, however painful. No one makes me think or feel anything; I am responsible for my thoughts and feelings, and I choose to remain free, no matter what happens to me. I choose gratitude over resentment and compassion over criticism. I choose hope over despair. I choose to make my life count for something far greater than the space and time it occupies.

My mission in life is to bring joy to others, whether by word or action. I’ll do whatever it takes to make my place in the world better for those I share it with. My life will continue a chain reaction that someone else started and that somehow (for some reason) reached me. I won’t be where it stops, and I'll show others how to keep it going. From me, the chain reaction will reach even more people, who will make it their mission to bring joy and compassion to as many souls as possible.

Here are some examples of short mission statements from famous people and organizations.

9. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou

10. “To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” — Oprah Winfrey, Founder of OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network

11. “I want to serve the people. And I want every girl, every child to be educated.” — Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Prize laureate and activist

12. “Improve lives. The concept of improving lives runs through the center of everything I do.” — Wil Smith, actor 

13. “To use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of women around the world.” — Amanda Steinberg, Dailyworth.com

14. “Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” — Google

15. “Build the best product. Cause no unnecessary harm. Use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” — Patagonia

16. “To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” — Tesla

17. “Help people perform better, think faster, and live better.” — Bulletproof

18. “Be the world’s favorite destination for discovering great value and unique selection.” — eBay

Here are some additional short mission statement examples we've created:

19. To create music that helps people struggling with mental illness to feel calm, loved, and in control. I will use my talent and skills to create medicine people can hear and feel. 

20. To write books that help others struggling with the same challenges to know they’re not alone and to know what actions to take to change their lives for the better. 

21. To open a shop that encourages every patron to bring more magic into their lives and to share it with others, with thoughtful and spirit-loving gift ideas.

22. To work as an inspired chef and to prepare meals that help the people in my community explore new flavors, new cultural recipes, and new perspectives.

23. To plant as many new, healthy trees as I can with the time I have and to inspire everyone to be responsible and loving stewards of the earth’s resources. 

24. To create a place where unwanted cats and dogs will be loved and cared for and where they can bring love to patrons who come in for a soothing drink or comfort food. 

25. To create a social media platform that runs on gratitude and compassion — with no room for negative attitudes , narrow mindedness, and self-centered criticism.

26. To be a therapist who makes my clients feel safe and strong enough to say anything, to dig deeper into their own thinking, and to love themselves just as they are.

27. To be a parent who helps my children love themselves, ask for help when they need it, and know what actions and words will help them reach their goals. 

28. To build a legacy that will benefit my children, grandchildren, and beyond and give each of them something good to build on when creating their own. 

Personal Mission Statement Generators

If you’re a fan of online quizzes, you might enjoy using a personal mission statement generator. Answer key questions and the generator uses them to create a clear and cohesive statement that reflects your highest values and goals. 

It’s similar to a mission statement template but is automated and available as either an internet-based tool (or mobile app) or a software download. 

Templates can be overwhelming because you see all the fields you need to fill out. And the thought of then gathering up your answers and distilling them into a powerful sentence or two is daunting enough without considering the time it’ll take to fill in all the blanks. 

A mission statement generator uses a gentler, more interactive approach to engage the user and get them through all the questions as painlessly as possible. 

• The FranklinCovey Mission Statement Builder can help you create the following types — personal, family, team, and values-focused — with its free online tool. 
• LifeCoachesToolbox.com has a Mission Statement & Elevator Speech Generator to help you establish your brand identity and clarify your goals. Choose between the free online version (with ads) or the ad-free download for $39. 

More Related Articles:

Positive Affirmations: 101 Life-Changing Thoughts To Practice Daily

9 Keystone Habits To Get Big Results

List Of 100 Life Goals To Achieve Before You Die

I hope this article motivates you to get started on your own mission statement.

Crafting this essential document can truly change your life, as it gives you self-defined boundaries and goals that set you on a course for success as you see it to be.

A personal mission statement is something everyone needs but only a few take the time to create — mostly because they don't know how.

Please take a moment to share this post on your preferred social media platform with family and friends who will definitely benefit from this information.

Your good deed can impact thousands of people around the world!

5 thoughts on “How To Write A Personal Mission Statement (And 28 Mission Statement Examples)”

How do I get a copy of Eight Steps to creating You Mission Statement?

Hello Barrie I wonder if you could help me. My daughter is a qaulified doctor, and the most gorgeous girl who has wonderful relationships with friends and family however since she met her boyfriend 4 years ago she has become a shadow of herself. Questioning who she is and deciding that she is the problem in their relationship and she is constantly changing to suit him however it doesn;t seem to be getting any better. She blames her past, not having a significant male figure in her life ; The problem is that her boyfriend is pushing her buttons and making her believe that he loves her and is reasonable and she is ending up the wreck. any advice on what I can do to help her. She says that he cried the other day and said he cant take her outbursts any longer. She got angry cause he stayed out all night and returned home in the morning. his excuse was that he didnt want to disturb her. Please help

Hi Deirdre, I’m so sorry your daughter is in such a difficult relationship. I know you are suffering for her as well. The problem isn’t her past, it’s her current decision to stay with someone who is emotionally abusive. You might suggest she read this post: https://liveboldandbloom.com/11/relationships/signs-of-emotional-abuse She also needs to meet with a counselor to discuss why she is staying in this relationship when it isn’t happy or healthy and how she can get strong again.

This is such a neat idea, and so very helpful. The one that truly got my attention is Consider Your Legacy. That really helps to re-frame our life’s picture, no? Thank you for this!

This is very helpful. Thank you for sharing.

Comments are closed.

5 Steps to Write Your Personal Mission Statement (with examples)

Have you discovered your purpose in life yet?

Don’t worry if you haven't – most people have a hard time pinpointing the precise things that they want to get out of life. 

People change, circumstances change. It is part of what makes life exciting.  That said, it’s nice to have some direction rather than feel lost most of the time .

Fortunately, there is a simple fix for figuring this out. Writing a personal mission statement is an excellent way to generate a framework for defining what you want out of life and discovering why your goals are important to you .

Your mission statement will ultimately serve as a guideline for all of your habits , routines, decisions, and future goals. Going over this statement every now and then will keep you on track and help you understand how and why your values may change with time.

You may be wondering, “What is a personal mission statement?” Many people haven’t heard of it. If you are one of them, you have come to the right place.

In this article, I’ll define this concept, provide examples, and then show you how to write your own personal mission statement.

Let’s get to it.

Table of Contents

What Is a Personal Mission Statement?

A personal mission statement is a declaration of an individual’s purpose and path in life, emphasizing what is truly important to him or her. It lays out your core values, your expectations, your pledge to other people and your measurement of success.

What are your passions, your long-term goals, and your plans for achieving them?

Writing a personal mission statement will help condense all of this information into a succinct declaration so others can get a concrete idea of your purpose .

Personal mission statements were popularized when Stephen R. Covey suggested that people create them in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People .

Covey argued that individuals (not just companies) should have mission statements because having a mission statement helps focus what you want your character to be and what you want to contribute to society .

In Covey's mind, writing a mission statement may be the most critical activity in taking control of one's own life .

No matter what stage of life you are in, going through the process of creating a mission statement can be beneficial. Whether you are a student looking to improve your grades, or a CEO looking to live a more balanced life , a personal mission statement will give you clarity and focus .

A personal mission statement can help you in several ways. Not only will the end product benefit you, but the process you go through to develop the statement will be greatly beneficial as well.

Your statement can help define who you are as a person, and act as a representation of your purpose to other people when you are not present. It can quickly explain to other people how you aim to pursue your goals, and why they are important to you.

It is also important because it helps you make better decisions , based on your core values to get you closer to meeting your long-term goals. It will keep you accountable for heading in the right direction of where you want your life to go because it will keep you from getting off track .

For example, if you have an idea to do something but it doesn’t fit within the boundaries of your personal mission statement, you will know that you shouldn't do it.

You may come up with some neat ideas, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be worth it to follow through. Your mission statement will help you weed these ideas out .

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

Once your personal mission statement is complete, it will seem simple. But if it is well done, it will involve a lot of effort. You have to give yourself enough time for self-discovery and self-reflection .

You need to be honest with yourself so that you can recognize your personality traits, your skills and abilities, core values and passions , dreams, and goals.

A lot has been written about how to write a personal mission statement. There are different ways to go about it, depending on the person.

Don’t worry if your mission statement doesn’t look exactly like someone else’s. Each statement is unique because no two people are exactly the same.

Creating a mission statement is not something that will happen in a day. It requires careful analysis and contemplative expression, which may require many drafts before you are satisfied with its final form. Even once it is finished, you will want to review it often and make slight changes as your life brings you new insights or developing circumstances.

Start by thinking about your personal principles and goals in life . Think about the reasons behind your goals, and how achieving them would improve you as a person.

Your mission statement should be clear and concise, without any unnecessary details.

While there are many methods one could emulate, I have taken them all into account so as to provide you with an actionable, step-by-step process for creating a powerful personal mission statement you will stick with!

5 Steps to Create Your Personal Mission Statement

An effective personal mission statement looks a lot like an outline at first.  You need to run through these steps in order to create a clear picture of where you are headed. 

1. Give Credit Where Credit is Due

What have you already done well? What accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

Self-esteem and confidence in your abilities are crucial elements in seeing your mission statement come to fruition.  

Whether you believe it or not, you’ve done something right in your life… you just have to take the time to rewind and reflect. 

This should be where you list your past “wins”. They can be professional and/or personal. 

For instance:

• I spent countless hours every weekend for a year, helping my child with their math, so that we were able to increase his score on the SATs and get into his college of choice.
• I single-handedly put together a fundraiser for my company that enabled us to donate a record high amount to victims of domestic abuse.
• I ran and finished the Boston marathon after having knee replacement surgery. 
• I earned a Doctorate Degree in Business while working full-time, which led me to a sizable promotion to Senior VP of my company in less than 2 years of starting there. 

Stopping to pat yourself on the back and acknowledge your contributions to the world , be they large or small, is a great boost to point you in the right direction towards crafting an effective personal mission statement.

2. List your Core Values and Beliefs

Think of this as your “why”.   Who do you want to be a better person for?

It is perfectly ok to say yourself, but it is also ok to say you want to be better for others.  Perhaps it’s both.

Only you know who and what matters most to you . And to be honest, when you stop to think about it, the answers may surprise you.

For example, maybe you’ve been working overtime for months, only to be passed over for a promotion that you thought would improve your family’s quality of life. While the disappointment is palpable, and understandable, have you stopped to think about what sacrifices you made in order to get nowhere?

The soccer games and family dinners you missed. Your best friend’s engagement party. A special anniversary dinner with your husband. Your daughter’s first piano recital. Vacations.

The sacrifices are countless and, at the end of the day, you have nothing to show for it. What now?  You begin to question your life and what you want from it. You begin to realize that time goes by fast and not always according to plan, despite our best efforts. 

So do you start looking for a new job?

Do you even like your job?

Maybe you want to start your own business or change careers?

Does the big house and fancy car matter more than quality time with the people that you care most about?

This is where assessing your core values comes into play.   

Core values are a set of fundamental beliefs, ideals or practices that dictate how you conduct your life – both personally and professionally .

No one person will have the same core values as another, but the principal is the same.  It’s about taking action on what matters most , and living according to the principals you feel most strongly about.

Common core values include:

• Determined and diligent
• Family-centric
• Compassionate

Factoring the people and things that matter most into your personal mission statement will help put you on the right track. 

It will give you the incentive you need to make a plan that you’ll not only want to stick with, but will have a much higher rate of success.

3. Ask Where and Who You Want to Be in Life

How are you going to make an impact? What areas of your life need the most attention?

These are two questions you need to ask yourself.

It can be helpful to break things down by category and list one thing you want to see happen or change .  These are goals you’d like to accomplish, whether short or long-term . 

Some categories you may want to consider include:

• Family life
• Social life/friendships
• Impact on the World

The last one is a bit of a head scratcher for some, so it’s perfectly acceptable to create a timeline (i.e. within the next 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years).

Setting SMART Goals are a great way to ensure you keep your head in the game. They help to limit distractions, but also have some margin for error or setbacks.

If you make your goals too big , you do run the risk of failure as a more immediate sense of gratification is not there. 

There is a time and a place for big, long-term goals… as opposed to setting more tangible short-term goals for your personal mission statement . Sit down and think about what you are prepared to do now and you’ll have the drive and optimism to get it done.

4. Assess Your Impact on the World

This is more of an exercise than anything else, but one that can surely help round out your mission statement.

I’m sure you’ve attended a funeral at some point and heard someone deliver a eulogy. At the very least, you’ve likely come across an obituary online or in the newspaper that read like a great novel about one’s life… and those people they impacted along the way.

While nobody likes to think about their own mortality, it can be a powerful tool in helping you live in the present and make the most of each day.

Take a few moments to sit down and write what you’d like people to say about you, or remember, after you are gone. Your homage, if you will. 

Were you a pillar in your community? A loving husband and father? A compassionate and gracious employer who people enjoyed working for? Did you volunteer?

If you can’t come up with much to say, consider it a wakeup call to change things before it’s too late. This is your chance to write your own story, leave your mark and assess your impact on the world around you.

5. Transform your Outline into a Concise Mission Statement

Now that you’ve completed the first 4 steps, it’s time to construct your personal mission statement. It should be all-inclusive, without being convoluted.

According to Ramsey Solutions, there are typically 3 parts to a mission statement of this type. 

• Your skills and abilities (what you like to do)
• Your personality traits (how you operate and your character)
• Your values, dreams and passions (why you want to excel)

Indeed.com believes a personal mission statement can and should read even more simply. It might go something like this:

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

Here’s an example of this formula being executed:

“I will work from home at least one day per week to coach my son’s basketball team, sharing my high school and collegiate playing experience with him and his teammates, in order to spend quality time with my son and improve his team’s skill set.”

This statement clearly states your plan of action and desired outcome. It doesn’t veer off course by listing all of the things you need to do in order to make it happen (ie. negotiate your work schedule with your boss, start yourself on a physical conditioning and diet regime, come up with a weekly playbook).  

Now that you know how to write a personal mission statement, let’s review five examples to give you a little inspiration. 

5 Personal Mission Statement Examples

Personal mission statements are just what they sound like… they are personal .  Thus, they will differ from person to person.

You should not be worried about other people’s mission statements, as it’s not a competition, nor is it a race .

All that matters is that you determine what is important to you and go for it!

With that in mind, here are five examples to inspire you on your journey.

Personal Mission Statement Example #1

To simplify things, Franklin Covey provides an online tool that you can use to quickly generate a personal mission statement .You can think of it as the “CliffsNotes” for creating the ultimate personal mission statement.

The personal mission statement generator is a 10-step process, taking into account the following:

• Performance
• Contribution
• Imagination

Here's a Personal Mission Statement generated by Covey's Mission Statement Builder.

Other original examples include (written by myself and my friends):

Personal Mission Statement Example #2

To use my maternal instincts and experiences to educate young mothers that decide to raise a child on their own.  I will provide them with the additional resources they need to be successful and feel supported.

Personal Mission Statement Example #3

To use my writing skills to create a blog directed at working mothers looking to juggle the work-life balance, without feeling guilty about their choices or losing sight of who they are as a woman first.

Personal Mission Statement Example #4

To volunteer my skills as a doctor, working in a free clinic or foreign country, where affordable and quality healthcare is not obtainable for most people. I will make sure all basic vaccinations, life saving medications and antibiotics are readily available through fundraising efforts and corporate partnerships. 

Personal Mission Statement Example #5

To improve the strained relationship with my spouse by communicating more openly and honestly, setting aside time each week to reconnect with one another. I will also be open to the idea of therapy in order to try to make the relationship work if our efforts aren’t enough.

Final Thoughts on Personal Mission Statements

Creating a personal mission statement is an important element of leadership and personal development. A proper statement will push you to ponder the purpose of your life and pinpoint what is genuinely important to you.

Personal mission statements also require you to concisely clarify your deepest values and aspirations . They emboss your purposes in your mind, making them become a part of you . Referring to your personal mission statement is also a way to keep your goals and vision in front of you at all times.

Take just 10 minutes to start writing your personal mission statement using the resources that we listed in this article. Then, think about all of your goals and habits, and consider how they line up with your mission statement.

After filtering through your habits, ask yourself if your actions align with your life’s purpose . Keep doing this exercise until you feel like your daily routine and habits are situated in a way that will ultimately give you what you want to get out of life.

Writing your personal mission statement is an activity of self-discovery that will allow you to uncover things that you may not have realized about yourself. Writing a personal mission statement will allow you to get to know yourself better and further realize your sense of purpose in life.

If you want to learn more about this concept, a good starting point to writing your own personal mission statement is A Personal Mission Statement: Your Road Map to Happiness by Michal Stawicki.

This resource will help you with your personal mission statement, no matter what your specialty in life is or what your long-term goals are.

If you want another way to actualize your long-term goals, consider crafting a life purpose statement . Or if you are more into the law of attraction, check out his post on how to manifest something by writing it down .

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .