How to Use a Family Mission Statement

Use a Family Mission Statement to Create Meaningful Family Goals

When writing family goals and the specific actions needed to make them happen, families should always be asking themselves, are the goals and our actions to achieve them consistent with how we said we wanted to live our lives (the in such a way that phrase), and do they result in the benefits we said were important (the so that phrase). When you write your goals in this context you can avoid chasing goals that aren’t adding to your happiness and fulfillment.

Use a Family Mission Statement to Help Make Big Decisions

Because family mission statements are expressions of our priorities and values, they can help keep us focused when it comes time to making some big decisions. For example, does taking the big promotion clear across the country in line with what we said we wanted in our mission statement? Is career progression one of mom’s or dad’s goals, dreams, or aspirations? If so, will the move and promotion enrich the family life and add to the family’s happiness and closeness? These are the kinds of questions you should ask whether you are facing a career change, move, or any significant lifestyle change.

Use a Family Mission Statement to Help Regain Focus

Sometimes we are moving so fast in our lives that we often forget why we made the choices we did to get us to our current place. It is often easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of life and suddenly say to ourselves, why are we doing this? What was our original motivation? Why did I take this job? Why did I volunteer to do this? This is where a family mission statement can be extremely powerful. By looking back at the priorities and fundamentals your family identified in the family mission statement, you can better see and ask yourselves whether or not the choices you have been making are consistent with what you said was important. If your choices haven’t been consistent with the family mission statement, ask yourselves these two questions: “Why haven’t our choices been consistent” and “What do we need to change to stop making the choices that make us unhappy?”

Use a Family Mission Statement to Remember Your Passion

Because family mission statements are an expression of every family member’s dreams, goals, and aspirations, they are a great place to go to when we need some motivation or are feeling burnt out. Take some time to browse through all of your family’s hard work, vision drawings, and plans to help motivate yourself and reignite your passion.

Remember, a family mission statement can be a very powerful tool for any family as long as you use it and keep it a center of your family’s focus. Post it in a central location and make it a habit to revisit it frequently.