Entering the lobby of any Fortune 500 company and you will most likely see their vision or mission statements on their walls. This is a point of reference for their clients to know why they exist, what service to expect; and for their employees, it reveals to them their ultimate corporate goals. In reality it’s simply the company’s lifedesign plan.
These statements are not only a corporate tool. Every person should have a personal vision and mission statement for staying purpose-driven in life. The poorest person in the world is one who has never discovered why they were born. I can remember past times floating around in different pursuits not knowing what I was called to do, or more appropriately, my life’s assignment. It was a distressing and disturbing time in my life.
Your assignment will solve a problem for someone, somewhere at sometime. It is your responsibility to discover what that is. But for now taking for granted you already know yours, it is by seeing it in your mind by faith when it becomes your vision. And then, of course, your mission statement serves as the GPS that guides and focuses your directions in carrying out the details of your vision. This undoubtedly will engage your talents and gifts.
It’s as Close as Your Deepest Desires
Yet even in the midst of all your talents, gifts and abilities, there’s something deep inside of you that won’t go away. Perhaps you wake up with it on your mind. You are constantly thinking of ways to pull it off and no matter how many other activities you pursue, this thing that’s inside of you just won’t quit. It has become your most persistent thought and deepest desire. You’ve got vision.
And then, on the other hand, you may be a stay at home wife and mother who has for so long given to others but have loss touch with yourself. Or perhaps you feel conflicted in pursuing your vision while caring for your family. If you’re a corporate career woman desiring to reach higher, maybe you aren’t sure how not to loose yourself or values in the process. Even if you’re one of these and live with regrets, shame or condemnation, still there’s a deep desire inside of you and an assignment waiting for you to embrace.
This is why you should never have the need to imitate someone else’s life.
Drawing Out the Vision
The important thing is to begin the process now. All the unselfish thoughts, ideas, plans and dreams that remain constant within you were put there by God. Do yourself a big favor and put in writing all of what’s in your heart. Writing is the process that crystallizes and clarifies your vision so you can run with it. Writing your vision and making it plain has its benefits:
1. It increases your feelings of self-worth, self-esteem and confidence.
2. It serves as a blueprint for your life’s assignment, dreams and goals.
3. It helps you to better assess opportunities that are presented.
4. It fuels your internal drive and determination.
5. It reveals the real you.
6. It shows you what kind of relationships and opportunities to pursue.
7. It keeps you mindful of how to use your time.
8. It helps you think creatively to solve your problems when internal and external obstacles come to stand in the way.
Live it!
360 Interior Assessment: Set aside time for solitude and reflect on what you want to achieve in your career and what you want to accomplish in your life. Ask yourself these questions:
• What legacy do I want to leave this generation?
• What would bring me the greatest fulfillment?
• How do I see my future?
• What are my constant, reoccurring dreams?
• Where can I go for more information?
• Who should I associate with?
• Where can I get the experience that I need?
Present this challenge to someone whom you can trust and ask them to hold you accountable. Your vision will revolve around the principles that you esteem highest and want to share with the world. Now write your vision statement.
360 Interior Living in Action: Next, begin putting things into perspective. Grow in your relationship with God. Your true assignment can only come from Him. And he will assist you in your assignment. Take time to know yourself:
• Who am I and what are my true values?
• What would fulfill all my roles in life—family, professional, community and generational?
• How will I express my capabilities to contribute to humanity?
Write your mission statement and through it serve your vision to humanity from a pure heart.
© 2012, Dr. Deana Murphy. All rights reserved.
Dr. Deana Murphy is a servant to humanity, regarded as America’s 1st Interior Living Doctor and the expert on interior lifedesign. An international recognized award winning author of Designing for the King: From Chaos to Order by Designing Within, she has taken her 25+ year career on a path as a high-energy speaker, spiritual and vision consultant and entrepreneur, addressing the similarities of designing tangible and intangible spaces.
