Originally publish on my linkedin page:
What is your Mission Statement?
Is it a couple sentences that you struggled over to put at the top of your business plan? Is it some trendy words you use to try to sell to prospective investors and clients?
If so, you're missing out on one of the most important tools you have as a business owner.
Your Mission represents the glow of the far-off port you are sailing your business to - your true North. It is your singular sanity check and guidance on your daily activities. And, it stands as the foundation against which you need to measure all business actions.
Ask yourself - "Have my activities in the last hour been an expression of my Mission Statement?" Or, have you spent the last hour mired in tasks that move you away from your vision.
If you've lost your Mission Statement or left it behind after you've landed your funding or that big client - dig it out. Re-read it. You should read it before - and after - that "big meeting".
Does it still represent your vision for your company? If not, work on it until it does.
Does it represent your primary differentiator in your industry? If not, work on it until it does.
Does your Mission Statement get you out of bed in the morning? Does it perfectly articulate all the energy that you have for your business? If not, work on it until it does.
Then use it, every day, to define every action you put on your calendar.
If you don't have a clear mission and you aren't expressing it in every action, what are you doing? A whole lot of meaningless tasks, perhaps.
Re-read your Mission Statement. Does it still represent your highest business aspirations?
Now, use it to give your daily activities energy and purpose.