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Show MyWeberMedia.com| April 19, 2018 | 11 DANIEL RAY Columnist Amid the stress of final exams, term papers and internship paperwork, I found the time to have coffee with a mentor of mine. Seeing how stressed I was, he chose not to ask any empty questions about how school was going or what I was doing in my free time. He asked me one pointed question: “What is your personal mission statement?” I’m fairly used to hearing about mission statements from companies. As a communications major, I have even studied these, and I know a mission statement should communicate what a company finds important and how they impact the world. I have never brought that idea down to a personal level, though. In the days following our conversation, I couldn’t get this idea out of my head. If a mission statement is the filter all of my actions should pass through, then this shouldn’t be something taken lightly. I considered what I am passionate about and what I spend my time doing. I thought about my dreams and what I’ve set as my five- and ten-year goals. I reflected over the past few years and thought about what I’ve found the most fulfillment in. I did some research, and I found an interesting fact. Most CEOs and highly successful people have personal mission statements. The founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, said his is “to have fun in the journey through life and learn from the mistakes.” Denise Morrison, the CEO of Campbell Soup Company, said hers is “to serve as a leader, live a balanced life and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference.” If these successful people all felt the need to create a personal mission state- ment, I probably should too. Finally, after this thought journey was complete, I wrote out my personal mission statement: “To help people unlock their passions and fuel them to find success.” I find the most joy in helping people realize what they love and access their full potential, so my mission statement is modeled after that. Creating your own personal mission statement is a way to set yourself apart. Let it drive you, motivate you and hold you accountable to being successful. It can grow and change as you do, but it will help make you into who you want to be. Comment on this column at signpost.mywebermedia.com rawpixel.com |