| July 12th, 2017

Are You On Mission?

At the end of the day, at the end of your life, will you be satisfied knowing that you completed your mission?  You have one whether you’ve written it down or not.   If you have written one down already, maybe it’s time to refine it.  Businesses have mission statements. Churches, schools, and other organizations have mission statements. We all would benefit from having a mission statement. 

In study of achievement , Dr. Matthews, a psychology professor, found that those who wrote down their goals achieved significantly more than those who did not.  On a 7-point scale, writers scored 6.44, non-writers, 4.28.  Writing down you goals works.

My mission statement has guided me to a super-fulfilling life.  It helps me with big decisions like should I take this ministry position to where should I spend these $3 and next four minutes. If an activity, cause, or sometimes even a person doesn’t fit my mission statement, I don’t engage — because I have little to offer them if my mission is authentic and true to my calling.  It keeps me laser-like focused, effective, and efficient.  It keeps me confident knowing I’m doing what I’m supposed to.

Lewis Carroll wrote, “Any road works if you don’t know where you’re going.”  Silly and funny, but ultimately, not the epithet, I would want at the end of my life.

First, consider the major themes of your life. Here are some questions to help get you started:

  • What would you want people to say at the end of your life?
  • What would you want to be remembered for?
  • What will people say at your eulogy?
  • What do you do better than no one else?
  • Who are or were your role models?
  • What were your favorite movies, hobbies, and past times growing up? What did you like about them?
  • What are your earliest recollections?
  • What unresolved life problem do you need to fix in the world?
  • What injustice do you need to right in the world?
  • What is missing in the world that you could help fill?
  • As you review your life story, what themes and patterns repeat over and over?
  • If you life is a story, what do the future, remaining chapters look and sound like?

After you have explored your life themes and driving motivations, try to write down a single sentence, a working version of your mission statement.

William Aruda suggests this formula: The value you create + who you’re creating it for + the expected outcome.  Make it short and sweet, but unique to you.

Here are some models:

  • I lead and inspire others to pursue their God-given potential, creating a world free of ego.
  • I have come to seek and save the lost.
  • I have come not to judge the world but to save the world.
  • I bless and challenge men with fatherly love.
  • I create safe spaces for men and children to grow and abide in God’s love.
  • I have come to kick some ass and drink some beer. (Short-sighted. Not recommended)

Find more here.  And for more instruction on creating mission statements Michael Hyatt and Julie Snowden provide excellent coaching.

Once you’ve created a working mission statement compare it to others, even businesses.

Next, allow some trusted people to provide feedback (i.e. Do they think it fits you?  How can it be more accurate or improved?  Does it flow naturally?).

If you haven’t been on The Crucible Project’s 2nd Level Weekends,  I highly recommend them. There are Leadership focused weekends offered for both the Colorado community this November, and the Chicagoland community this December. Additionally, there is a weekend focused on Mission coming to our Colorado community in April of 2018.  Both the Mission and Leadership 2nd Level weekends are excellent resources  to help you create a clear vision and mission, and ultimately a more fulfilling life.

If you’re reading this and  haven’t been on the initial weekend with The Crucible Project, I invite you to it as an opportunity to consider your life story in greater depth.  We’re offering several more initial weekends this year in Chicagoland, Colorado, the Kansas City area and Texas.

A last piece of direction, consult God, but don’t wait for His permission or His “calling,” to get started. Just do it. If in His grace and as scripture commands, He has already given you all you need to start serving your world in a way that will honor and glorify Name.

  • What is your mission?
  • If you haven’t written it down, what’s holding you back?

By Marc Mantasoot

Marc completed his initial Crucible weekend in 2004 and graduated from our two-year transformational program in 2008. He wants to help others pursue their God-given joy and free the world of ego. He is an award-winning poet, writer, small groups/discipleship coach, high school English teacher and martial arts trainer.  He provides powerful methods for life transformation at marcmantasoot.com.  His greatest joys: Creating scenes with his son, lining up My Little Ponies with his baby girl, and pursuing his irresistible wife.

Photo Credit: Walt Stoneburner via Creative Commons