You need a mission statement: Three key questions to answer

American author, businessman, and educator Stephen Covey reiterated that for one to be a highly effective individual, one should have a mission statement. “Your mission statement becomes your constitution, the solid expression of your vision and values. It becomes the criterion by which you measure everything else in your life.” Of course, a mission statement is important, but how can you craft one? What should be included in your mission statement? Here are three key questions to answer:

1. What are the guiding principles that define your approach to life?

If you’ve ever seen a company’s mission statement, you will notice that these include overarching principles such as excellence or honesty or social justice. You have to determine what are the principles that you value in personal and social circumstances as these will serve as the basis of your priorities. If you desire to exhibit excellence at home, in the office, and in the community then anything that won’t permit you to excel in these three areas should take a backseat.

2. How do you see your ideal self?

Mission statements are about seeing your ideal self on the premise that you’ve managed to overcome your day-to-day obstacles. You have to be crystal clear about the person that you want to become. Much like the guiding principles, you also have to consider your ideal self in all areas of your life.

3. What are your purpose and legacy?

Given your guiding principles and ideal self, you also have to determine your purpose in this world and what you want to leave behind. What are you here for? What can you offer your loved ones, your co-workers, and your community? Covey also forwarded the habit of “begin with the end in mind.” You may consider what people will most likely remember about you and how you led your life once you’ve passed.

As Covey pointed out, a mission statement is not an overnight activity; it has to be revisited, revised, and improved over time. The three questions here are great starting points to use for your personal mission statement as well as a group mission statement that you can craft with your whole family.