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Your Purpose - Your Mission: Do You Know Why You Are Doing What You Are Doing?
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April 30, 2003 "We cannot solve the significant problems of today with the same level of thinking we used when we created them."
A. Einstein |
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The Challenge
One of the compelling challenges faced by modern organizational leaders is knowing why they are doing what they are doing e.g. knowing their purpose, their personal mission. Without a clear sense of personal mission, leaders become mired in the daily routine of managing people, processes and programs. It is the rare leader who asks the question, why am I doing what I'm doing? Why am I leading, and what are the intentions
of my leadership of this organization?
To address this challenge, try the strategy of creating a Personal Mission to give yourself a sense of purpose that should be the foundation for every substantive decision you make.
The Strategy: Creating A Personal Mission
1. Step One: Begin by taking stock
Schedule one hour of quiet, private time away from all potential interruptions. Reads through and then write brief responses to the following questions - it is best to record the first thoughts that come to mind:
-What are my values? (Identify 10 and prioritize the top 3)
-Who are the most important people in my life, why is each one important and what is their relationship to me?
-What do I want? (List 10 tangible, 10 intangible items; ex. of tangible - a new car; ex. of intangible - peace of mind)
-Who are my heroes?
-What are my current contributions to society (list 5); what contributions do I want to make in the future? (list 5)
-What do I want others to believe about me?
-What are my special gifts to others?
-What special gifts do I receive from others?
-What do I do well?
-What do I want to improve about myself?
2. Step Two: Think Strategically, Intentionally
Review your responses to the questions posed in Step One above then take 15 minutes and write what you would do with 3 months of unexpected time and with no other time, financial or relationship constraints.
3. Step Three: Develop Your Personal Mission
Review your responses to the questions posed in Step One again and review the thoughts you recorded in Step Two.Begin writing and write continuously for 20 minutes the first thoughts that come to mind. You may find you want to continue writing; if so, continue writing until you feel satisfied that all of your first thoughts have been
recorded. I have known some who have written for one hour.
What you have produced is the first draft of your Personal Mission.
Some guiding principles to keep in mind:
-Your Personal Mission is a highly personal, private document, shared with whomever you wish or with no one.
-It is a living document which should be reviewed regularly and changed whenever you encounter an inspiration that you want reflected in it.
-The format is up to you, including length. Develop a short version - a few words or lines only - that you might want to share with people who ask you what you do.
Final Thought
E-mail me with comments and/or questions, or if I can assist you in any way to implement this effective process for thinking strategically, intentionally about why you do what it is you do. Plan to use this exercise with your direct reports and contact me if you want my assistance in implementing the process in your organization.
Let me know what topics you would like addressed in future editions of Strategies & Solutions from Jim Jose. Copyright 2003 Jim Jose Associates LLC. All rights reserved. We encourage you to reprint with appropriate
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