What do you want to accomplish through your work, in your profession or in your business? Can you clearly articulate it? If not, then you need to create a career or business mission statement. This is the first step to success in your work. Your mission clarifies your purpose. It defines what you offer, to whom and why. It is a guiding statement that provides focus and direction. It should inspire you to achieve success. The process of writing a mission statement requires that you think about what you want to accomplish, for whom and why. It clarifies the value you bring to your customers and your organization.

Your mission statement answers the questions, “What? Who? And why?” Your business mission statement defines your products and services, your target market, and the benefits that you provide. It includes the following elements:

• What product or service you sell
• Who your customers are
• Why your customers buy from you

Donna Fisher, in her book, People Power, suggests that your career mission statement include the following elements:

• What you do that is of value
• Who benefits from what you do
• Why you are the best person to do what you do

Here is my business mission statement.

“I empower female professionals to live a life of purpose, balance, and achievement. I do this by giving dynamic keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and powerful coaching. As a result organizations gain more motivated, productive, and loyal employees.”

Here are a couple other examples of mission statements:

• Cash Flow Solutions provides individuals and small businesses with the knowledge and skills to optimize their financial assets and gain empowerment towards financial freedom.
• My career mission is to utilize my creative and organizational skills to plan dynamic meetings and conferences that motivate, inform and educate our members.

Now it’s your turn. Answer these questions to craft your business or career mission statement.

• What is the product, service, or skill that I offer?
• Who benefits from it?
• What is the value of what I have to offer?

When you write your business or career mission statement, you’ll gain greater motivation, clarity and focus to help you succeed.

Kathleen Barton is a keynote speaker, workshop presenter, and career & life coach specializing in life purpose, career success, and work-life balance. She is the author of Connecting with Success and Finding Your Purpose and Passion in Life audio/workbook. Kathleen can be reached at www.YourLifeBalanceCoach.com.