This blog post is part of a four-part series on the stress busting power of a personal mission statement. We believe that personal mission statements limit negative stress and provides a guideline for a satisfying life. We will provide insight into how personal mission statements work and provide guidance so that you can write your own.
We have been talking about the power a personal mission statement has in lowering negative stress. The words are not as important as the feeling and sentiment behind them. We feel less stressed when our lives are predictable.
Predictability has three key elements
Structure
A personal mission statement provides a set of guidelines that direct all thoughts, feelings, actions, and behaviors. This type of structure provides clarity. It guides your decision-making process so you can easily and consistently meet the expectations others have of you as well as your own.
Stability
Negative stress is brought on by sudden or unexpected changes. We function best in environments that are stable and predictable. A personal mission statement enables you to establish and maintain stability in your life and work.
Safety
Safety and security are foundational needs according to Maslow. Safety is felt when a person believes they can protect themselves from something that is potentially harmful. For example, I look both ways before crossing a street. if I see a car driving towards me, I will wait until the road is clear. My actions keep me safe from being hit by a car. That is a real example of maintaining safety. A personal mission statement also helps us to address our perception of safety.
The Next Step
The next step in writing a meaningful, working mission statement is to clarify your core values. Core values are the key ingredients of a powerful mission statement. Your values add essence or heart to the words. They become more than words and sentences on a paper. They embody your true self. How would you define the phrase “core value?”
A person might say that a core value is something that they strongly believe. For example, “I strongly believe that dogs should share their food with cats.” (I do not believe this.) Some coaches suggest that a core value is measured by worth. They recommend asking “what do I value?” Others suggest that a core value addresses relationship. A question to ask is “whom do I value?”
The answers to these questions are predictable. For example, if we are asked what we value, some would say “family,” “work,” and “home.” An answer to whom do you value might be “spouse,” “children,” “parents.” Other answers might include “money,” “power,” or “freedom.”
I believe that the idea of core values includes the feelings and meaning we gain from our perception of concepts and experiences. The words “freedom,” “faith,” and “family” have meaning to each of us. This meaning brings us to have intense feelings when we consider the words and their meaning.
Finding Your Core Values
Consequently, when we are talking about core values, it is important to go beyond the surface questions. We must ask probing questions to identify them.
Look at a list of values. Scott Jeffrey compiled a comprehensive list of values. View the list by following this link Core Values List Over 200 Core Values to Live by Today. As you review the lists, ask yourself the following questions:
What do I value?
Whom do I value?
What does this specific value mean to me?
How do I experience this value?
How is it a part of my personal life? How do I live it?
How do I experience this value in others?
How do I receive it? How do I observe it?
You may have additional questions or thoughts that cause the value to resonate with you. Choose your top three. Make note of them. We will go to the next step in our next blog post.
What I do
I am showing working women step by step how to development a personal mission statement during “Stress Talk” Live with Marcyline Bailey. This 30 minute program is broadcast every Sunday at 4pm on the M.L Bailey Consultants Facebook page and on YouTube. Join us weekly.
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“Here is to your sustainable, successful and satisfying stress managed life.”
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