Creating a Strong Mission and Vision
10 minute read
If you’ve ever struggled with creating a mission and vision or seeing the necessity of going deeper into your current one…this post is for you.
If I can be really transparent I admit, there are days when I am torn between doing what is truly in my heart, and doing things that make sense.
This where my vision helps to keep me focused.
Things that make sense to me are the pursuing organizational best business practices, culture, and leadership strategy. It makes sense to me because I’ve proven myself in that area, and there are a lot of benefits that come with that.
But things are different now. I think that once you’ve had a life-changing event where loss is real, a loss of health…you know your life is in miracle, and you don’t take anything for granted.
Now, I do what’s in my heart. I help others to see what a miracle their life is as well, so they can live with purpose and joy! Please allow me to go through my vision with you, step by step so you can see the process for yourself and dig into your own mission and vision.
My vision is this: I empower entrepreneurs & small business leaders to grow their health, life & business. Encouraging one woman at a time, supporting her as she makes steps to create the life she was truly meant to live. And, I’m working that out…feeling it out…praying it out…each day. Creating content and offerings that further my mission for the future.
Built into every one of us, is the need to live out our deepest values. It’s how we were designed.
So what is the vision for your life..?
Have you written it down somewhere? Have you told anyone?
I want to help you become more clear on what your vision is.
But first, there are a few pieces of information I wanted to share with you, to help you discern a few of the struggles whether it be ministry work, or not-for-profit work, career or business ventures or even creating a volunteer organization. As women I think many of us struggle with the immense pressure of taking on other peoples problems in the name of helping and that is something to keep in mind as you work through a mission and vision statement. A mission and vision helps clear away the cobwebs of guilt thinking - your company has to do it all. I assure you, this is not the case!
A well crafted mission and vision takes away the need to bring all solutions to all problems, so you can bring more focus, clarity and fun into your world. My mission statement motivates me.
When you create a mission statement you are defining what your company does. Again, if you take a peek at my mission statement on my home page it says, “I empower entrepreneurs & small business leaders to grow their health, life & business.” It’s front and center for all to see, and it’s important because it answers the question, 1) what my company does, and 2) how I serve my clients.
A vision is future focused and communicates what my company will do to achieve my mission. As I mentioned before my company is an encourager of women, one woman at a time, supporting her as she makes steps to create the life she was truly meant to live. I provide one-on-one coaching on various topics, classes and even a blog. So you see, everything is tied together, in a clear and concise way. There is a loop.
My vision to reach one woman provides the opportunity to offer teachings on life, career and health through online coaching. The forum I have chosen means I have room to adapt for business growth, and I can add more offerings if I wish. Offerings like group coaching or go live events, or even a future book! I love the flexibility my business offers, as I can customize programs if I have a client with a specific niche. You can too.
Finding your way between structure and flexibility is a wonderful journey, because we both know that while we set out on a path, life happens!
An added benefit of a mission and vision; it will help you communicate to folks you meet at the drop of a hat and in the most unlikely places. You need to be ready to articulate what your potential client needs to know about you and the services you offer.
At first it can feel stiff and contrived when someone asks you what you “do” but once you say it a few times you’ll become more confident. And the more confident you become the more opportunities will come your way.
A mission and vision also eliminates the fear around leaving someone out.
That is something I really worried about…what if I created such a concise mission and vision that I will actually lose a potential client? The opposite is true, the clearer you become, the more obstacles move out of the way, the more you can communicate to those who really need your services.
You get to know what your dream client wants and needs and how you might serve her! And it all flows from there. I’ve really just outlined the basics to fine tuning your mission statement, but if you need some extra reading on mission vs. vision the Indeed Editorial Team has put together a great article with examples dated February 3, 2023. It’s a great read.
Putting pen to paper to either create your mission and vision or to enhance it will pay off in the end. Not only will it create focus and clarity it will help ignite your passion for what is important to you, so you can enjoy staying power when the going gets tough. And trust me, when it rains it pours, and when you have your mission and vision tucked away in your heart, it’s easier to serve others, especially when you don’t “feel” like it.
Warren Buffet said these words concerning career advice to college students, and it holds true for every phase of life,
"I have urged that they seek employment in (1) the field and (2) with the kind of people they would select, if they had no need for money," Buffett wrote. Although he conceded that "economic realities may interfere with this kind of search," he urged students "to never give up on the quest."
I encourage you, take some time this week. Sit down with pen and paper in hand, and scribble it out. Praying, writing and reading until you’re content with the end result. Serve your vision like you don’t care if you ever get paid, but you’ll be happy when you do.
Happy visioning!
Nancy
P.S. Next blog I will write about how to transition safely from your current career into owning your own business without losing money, time, or resources.