What do you want to be known for? What is your purpose in life? What impact do you want to make in the world? What reputation do you want to have among the people you meet?

These are all questions that most of us probably agree that we should be able to answer. However, most people can’t answer these questions when put on the spot. They may seem like simple questions but self-reflection is still not practiced very often and thus, these questions about life are not often thought about on a regular basis.

They should be though.

The best organizations operate under a mission. I don’t just mean that they have a mission statement that is painted in pretty letters on the wall. I’m talking about organizations that live and breathe their mission. Every employee knows the mission and better yet, believes in it. Every stakeholder is treated with the highest level of service because everyone in the organization exudes the core values. They are working towards a common vision. They don’t just know what they do everyday but how, where, when and why they do it.

If successful organizations operate under the strength of a mission statement, why don’t individuals? So many intelligent people go through life never really knowing what they want to do – what gets them excited about life, what difference they want to make or what they are capable of at their best. That’s because they haven’t reflected on why they do what they do and if it is truly what they want to be doing in life.

Well, there’s still time.

If you haven’t thought about your mission in life, go ahead and get started. It’s not too late. Then, write it down and read it everyday until you remember it. Then, recite it everyday until you believe it. Then, work towards it everyday until you’re living it.

Once you start living towards your mission, you’ll realize how much easier it is to prioritize everything that comes at you in life. You’ll learn to focus on the things that matter to your mission and avoid wasting time on the things that are not important.

See, that is the power of a mission statement. If lived out genuinely, it will lead to things you never knew you were capable of. It will lead to true happiness. It will lead to a life worth living.

It took me years of reflection but I landed on my mission statement and believe in it fully. My mission is to change the world one life at a time by being all-in with every opportunity, every experience and every relationship. I value integrity, connection, passion, inclusion, service to others and life-long learning. My motto is, “Love life and live it fully.” I feel on top of the world when I can show (not tell) someone that the thing they think is impossible is actually very possible. It requires going all-in though!

I shared mine. Now, I want to hear yours. What is your mission statement? Your vision? Your values? Your daily motto or reminder?

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