Developing a Mission Statement

"To dedicate myself to the cultivation and maintenance of creativity in myself and others. To focus on artistic growth as a platform for personal enrichment, expression and a path to true happiness. To move forward with the understanding that living life true to oneself is the best way to make a difference in the life of others."
Mission Statement
Tiffany Bisconer 2008

Why a Mission Statement?
A mission statement can otherwise be known as a statement of purpose, which is a helpful tool to utilize as we go through life. Taking the time to focus on the mark we want to leave within our lifetime helps to reassign us to living a life of personal purpose. At times we can become so entraped with the concrete callings of our daily responsibilities that we lose track all together of our understanding of what it means to succumb to the calling of our own rooted desires. By committing to a mission statement we are committing to offering intent to our life path and attempting to give our many desires a rooted focus. Taking the time to evaluate what means the most to us will help keep us on track in living life parallel to our dreams.

Looking forward, take a moment to draft up a "mission statement" for the remainder of this year and beyond. Grab a journal or a blank sheet of paper and take a moment for yourself to explore your personal plan of action. Make sure to write with no boundaries and try to brain dump as many ideas as you have before narrowing down choices. You can use the following questions as a guide to brainstorm the most fitting statement of your core goals.

-What are the top 3 goals you want to accomplish in the next year?
-What are 3 steps you need to take in order to begin each of these goals?
-What core values do you find the most important in your life?
-What kind of a difference would you like to make in your time on this planet in your own life and in the life of others?
-What inspires you the most?
-What makes you feel truly happy?
-Imagining that there was nothing stopping you, what would be the ultimate height of what you want to do and/or create in your lifetime?

When you are finished, take a few moments to brew over everything you have written, scribbled and drawn. Are there any themes that jump out at you? What core values seem to take precedence? Of everything you have jotted down try to compile a concept into 3-4 sentences on what your main statement of purpose is. Also remember that this is never a final draft as the year, and your life in all aspects progresses you will more than likely adjust according to new developments and realizations. What is at our core will typically shine over each decision we make, if we allow ourselves the time to bring our individual values to the surface. Make sure to keep your papers! It is always inspiring to look back and see where a new idea has begun.

I wanted to offer this as food for thought for anyone who is interested in focusing creative and personal goals as a guideline for living life with their core values embedded in every step taken..... Enjoy the exercise!