Is your mission statement more likely to make your vision a reality?

An unclear mission statement can cloud even the clearest of visions.

THINK ON IT: Is your mission statement more likely to make your vision a reality?

In last week’s post, we talked about creating a clear and motivating vision statement. Your vision is the “what” you are working toward. 

The way in which your organization makes that a reality? That’s your mission statement – the “how” of your “what.”

Great mission statements describe the how in easily identifiable and actionable ways.

Consider the American Cancer Society. Their vision is crisp, clear, and motivating: 

At the American Cancer Society, we have a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. 

That’s a pretty good “what.”

Their mission statement is a similarly clear description of how they are working toward that day when cancer is no more:

The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

This mission statement helps them to keep their eyes on their promise and deliver the services that bring them closer to their vision everyday. It also helps them decide what they aren’t going to do, which for many organizations is just as important as deciding what they will do. 

Do you have a mission statement for your organization? If so, does it clearly describe the actions you are taking to make your vision more likely?

If not, it may be time for a tune-up. Paid subscribers, read on for a way to do that. (Become a paid subscriber.)

“Begin with the end in mind.” — Steven Covey

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