Page 196 - Marky Stein - Fearless Career Change_ The Fast Track to Success in a New Field (2004)

Fearless Career Change

Your Own Mission Statement
You may observe that the structure of the example mission state-
ments is relatively similar. They all begin by answering the ques-
tion, “What am I doing?” Then they move on to “How am I doing
it?” And, finally, they ask, “Why am I doing it?”
It takes serious thought, focused concentration, and honest
reflection on the most important aspects of work and our most
essential purpose in life to write a meaningful mission statement that
will actually serve to guide our actions and emotions. Using the three
examples of the mission statements above, I would like you, care-
fully and respectfully, to compose your own credo.
People (and companies) with a mission are motivated within
by a strong desire to succeed. They maintain a commitment to
morals and ethical values, and they are less subject to flap with the
winds of public opinion or transitory fads. Your mission statement
helps to solidify your new vocation, to brand it not just with things
you are “good” at doing but with things that are deeply and intrin-
sically good.
Your statement does not have to reflect that you want to save
the whole world, although if you feel that’s your authentic calling,
that is what you should write. Your mission statement is about you
and your relationship to the career and life you want.
It need be only two or three sentences, but it must serve the
purpose of inspiring you to the apex of your abilities and encour-
aging you through difficult or fearful times. The statement you
write today may very well evolve into something else tomorrow or a
year from now. That’s fine. A mission statement is a “living” thing.
That means that it grows and transforms with time. Please write
your own mission statement for today on the lines below:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

By overcoming your fears and creating a better career for your-
self, you’ve crafted a better life. When your life aligns with its true

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