A personal mission statement allows you to define what is important to you and outline the difference you believe you can make in the world. Like any mission statement, this is not a document that you write once and forget, but a living document that will evolve as you move forward in life.

Here’s an outline that will allow you to develop your personal mission statement.

5 Steps to Develop a Personal Mission Statement

1. Identify your past successes.

Think about past experiences from your personal, business or community life. See if you can identify a theme between what really turns you on and areas where you’ve made a great difference.
 

2. Identify your core values.

Create a list of characteristics that identify what you believe is important in life. After completing this list, cull it down to the five or so that are most important to you—and finally the single most important.

3. List your potential contributions.

Create a list of the ways you could make a real difference for  your family, your friends, your community and the world.

4. Identify your goals.

Analyze your priorities and make a list of any personal goals you’ve set for yourself.

5. Write your personal mission statement.

Working from the above four items, write out your personal mission statement.