The first step on the road to success is to define success itself. This is accomplished by writing a professional mission statement. A mission statement is like a rudder on a ship; it determines your direction. Without it, your purpose can be unclear, vague or prone to change-based external influences.
A mission statement is a way of accepting personal responsibility for your life. We choose who we are or who we want to be. Any mission statement should describe the key services a business aspires to provide its customers as well as defining what the business really is. Everything anyone does in the business should be compatible with the mission statement.
A mission statement is extremely powerful. Businesses always start with a vision but the act of documenting this vision will move a powerful unconscious thought into action.
Mission statements come from deep within us, like an internal guide. Being in tune with this inner guide defines our values and uniqueness. A mission statement manifests this into action and brings greater meaning and purpose to work and life.
Road signs: Goals
Goals help create a plan to bring a mission statement to life. These include career goals, financial objectives, sales goals and all aspects of the sales process. Limit and focus all goals to a few key items that are most important. Once done, it is up to you to determine which areas are priorities.
To obtain a goal, do not hold on to the desired outcome too tightly. This will come across to others as desperation. Be able to let go and walk away from goals that will not produce the desired result. Do not become too attached to anything. Too much attachment can lead to disappointment when things beyond your control do not work out.
When setting goals, ask the following: What is the end-result I am trying to achieve? How does the goal connect to my mission statement? How am I going to achieve this goal? How will I measure the results?
Mode of transportation: Personal action plan
An action plan brings your mission statement and goals to reality. A mission statement without an action plan is just fantasy. The action plan makes the thought concrete and determines the action one will take to reach their goals. In the action plan, focus on the practical applications needed to reach these goals and achieve your mission. Success does not come without focused action.
Business is filled with tasks that are not necessarily important. Meeting deadlines and managing day-to-day work will help you feel in control by meeting short-term needs but these tasks may not produce long-term growth and achievement. Set goals and actions that are essential to reaching your mission and then complete them.
Always check progress
Track the daily, weekly and monthly activities of the action plan. Begin each day by reviewing the schedule for the day. Any items that are not accomplished should be carried over to the next day. Don’t just wing it. Use common sense and keep focused on important areas.
Prioritise these activities and set a time value to them. Evaluate whether you are staying true to your mission statement and are on track to reach your goals. It’s important to change and improve the action plan as needed.
Arrive at success
Have fun as you follow your mission. When you love your work, it stops being work and becomes enjoyment. Do not allow little things to get to you as most of what happens to us is a small occurrence in the big scheme of life. When obstacles arise, see them as challenges and learning experiences to overcome. We have the power to choose how we deal with these things. Problems and obstacles make life a challenge and make rewards meaningful.
What you practice, think and do is who you are. You have the power to decide who you want to be by writing a mission statement and setting goals. Living your mission statement and reaching your goals is one way to find the true meaning of success.