Focusing EffortSample

THIS IS YOUR MISSION

A mission statement is a precise reflection of your passion and gifting. As an example, here’s mine: “I exist to inspire a spiritual revolution within the church that reaches the world.” Everything I do is aimed at this. Even my roles of being a husband, father to adult children, and money manager are impacted by my gifting and passion. I don’t change how God has designed me to fulfill my God-given roles. I express my gifting and passion through those roles.

But knowing my mission focuses me like nothing else can. I don’t take a speaking gig that isn’t linked to my personal mission statement. I now turn down offers to go into side hustles that are fun but off-mission for me.

​​A God-given personal mission statement doesn’t need a budget, building, or position. Your passion and gifting are not constrained by person, place, or thing. Nothing and no one can stop what God has placed in you. When you land on your personal mission statement, you’re ready to travel—anywhere!

So, here’s how you can begin crafting your own personal mission statement.

GET FOCUSED:

• Few people will write a personal mission statement, but the few who do will make a big difference in the world and have greater joy. This is not a one-shot exercise. The best statements will be honed over time. But your first draft will be reasonably close if you’ve followed the steps from yesterday to identify your passions and gifts.
• Place all the keywords from your answers to yesterday’s questions on a paper.
• Construct a statement that incorporates the keywords and any other descriptors. It’s no problem if it’s a run-on sentence or a small paragraph.
• Crunch the statement down into something punchy and memorable.
• Ask someone who loves you and who you trust if the statement is true to who you are.
• Place your personal mission statement in prominent places to remind you.
• Keep refining and owning your personal mission statement.
• LIVE your personal mission statement!

This study is adapted from the book, The 7 Resolutions: Where Self-Help Ends and God’s Power Begins by Karl Clauson. If this study inspired you to start focusing your effort on what matters most, but you’re still looking for more clear direction, The 7 Resolutions can help you get there. It’s time to take hold of the abundant life God has promised you. Take The 7 Resolutions assessment to get started. https://www.7resolutions.com/assessment