Five Years From Now

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FIVE YEARS FROM NOW — CREATING A PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

(Previously Published in LTUE: Life, the Universe, and Everything Else.)

 

In a recent board meeting, a guest speaker, who holds a Master’s Degree in Public Management and Organization Behaviors (never knew this was a degree program), began his training by requesting we close our eyes and imagine our organization five-years from now.

As we opened our eyes and rejoined the meeting, it was interesting to note that we all envisioned pieces of what could become a great event, in this case, the parts becoming a beautifully comprehensive whole. Projecting our thoughts five years into the future removed the immediate fears and constraints of, “Can we really do this?” while placing our dreams firmly within the realm of possibility and allowing us to accomplish the goals of our mission statement: “Strengthening the Astoria area through the power of the written word.”

I left the Zoom meeting and stared at my notes. If seemingly simple questions could provoke profound insights and jump-start an organization, why not the individual. After all the smallest organization consists of “me, myself, and I” or “you, yourself, and “insert name”, so if you feel you are drifting through life, please consider these insights:

  1. Why do you exist? (Don’t get all existentialist here. Think passions, interests, dreams. What gets you up in the morning? Don’t say the dog!)
  2. You are a person that does (what?) for (whom?). Fill in the blanks.
  3. Your Vision/Mission statement should inspire you, but also be the bedrock of your life. This is not subject to change through the vicissitudes of life, an international virus, or chocolate. It encompasses your core values. In fact, all goals, objectives, passions, and endeavors should be in line with your personal vision statement. It is the advance eulogy summing your life; the overarching umbrella under which you operate and see the world. For example:
    • To live a life of kindness, honesty, & service. Think Mother Theresa.
    • I want to leave the world a better place for having lived in it.
    • I want to be queen and rule the universe (Hey, your life/your goals!)
  1. Know when to say “No” to great ideas if they are not in line with your Vision/Mission. (Pass the opportunity to someone who could benefit within their own vision statement.)
  2. Set smart Goals that are measurable, time-sensitive, and realistic. Evaluate regularly.
  3. WIG – Wildly Important Goals – Each goal has two main parts and should bring you closer to accomplishing your vision statement.
    • A LEAD goal lists the steps necessary to accomplish any goal.
    • A LAG goal represents the end result of any goal.

Example: A Lag Goal is perhaps to write a novel; lose weight; or climb Everest. While a Lead Goal is creating necessary steps to accomplish that goal: Write X number of words p/day; reevaluate your diet/exercise; climb small hills (We all have to start somewhere). 

  1. KEEP SCORE. Be accountable not hateful. If you don’t get things done one day, don’t quit! You can always start again right now… or now… or how about now?

 

It’s your mission statement, your vision, your life. Write it. Live it. Enjoy your life.