How can you help a client align their personal mission statement with career goals?

As a business coach, you may encounter clients who are feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or confused about their career direction. One way to help them gain clarity and motivation is to help them align their personal mission statement with their career goals. A personal mission statement is a concise summary of your core values, purpose, and vision for your life. It can guide your decisions, actions, and priorities, and help you stay true to yourself. In this article, you will learn how to help a client create and refine their personal mission statement, and how to use it to set and achieve meaningful career goals.

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1 Why a personal mission statement matters

A personal mission statement can help your client discover and articulate what makes them unique, what they are passionate about, and what they want to contribute to the world. It can also help them identify and overcome any limiting beliefs, fears, or conflicts that may be holding them back from pursuing their true calling. By having a clear and compelling personal mission statement, your client can align their career choices with their values and vision, and feel more fulfilled and motivated in their work.

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Sydney Dawson

Creating purpose from pain, sharing my healing journey, and hoping to guide others through theirs
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A striking thought to consider is that if you don't know and have clarity around your personal mission statement, you are likely following someone else's. And achieving the success of a mission defined by someone else is not nearly as fulfilling as when you are able to achieve a desire that was created within you.

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2 How to create a personal mission statement

To help your client create a personal mission statement, you can start by asking them some probing questions that can help them reflect on their values, strengths, passions, and purpose. Examples of these questions are: what are the core values that guide their life and work? What unique talents and skills do they enjoy using and developing? What causes or issues do they care about and want to make a difference in? What goals or dreams do they have for their personal and professional life? How do they want to be remembered by others? You can use journaling, brainstorming, mind mapping, or online templates or generators to help your client answer these questions. It is important to encourage them to be honest with themselves and write down their answers in a clear and concise way.

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Sydney Dawson

Creating purpose from pain, sharing my healing journey, and hoping to guide others through theirs
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An important part of creating your personal mission statement is self-evaluation. Start by uncovering anything you've inherited or adopted from others. Underneath all of that is where you'll find your individual truth. So - what beliefs, values, or behaviors have you adopted because of external influences? What do you do because you think you should? Is there anything you do out of fear, obligation, or guilt? What expectations are you currently trying to live up to - are they yours or someone else’s? Once you can release these expectations and "shoulds" set by the outside world, then consider the legacy you want to leave in the world. What values does that legacy speak to? Allow that answer to shape your personal mission statement.

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3 How to refine a personal mission statement

Once your client has written down their answers to the questions, the next step is to help them refine their personal mission statement. This involves reviewing, editing, and synthesizing their answers into a concise and meaningful statement that reflects their values and goals. You can provide feedback, suggestions, and examples of effective personal mission statements to assist your client in this process. To ensure that the statement is as impactful as possible, keep it simple and specific, inspiring and aspirational, realistic and achievable, and flexible and adaptable. Avoid using vague or generic words that could apply to anyone or anything. Use positive language that expresses your client's vision and passion. Additionally, make sure that the statement is aligned with their current situation and resources, so it is not too ambitious or unrealistic. Finally, allow room for your client's personal mission statement to evolve over time.

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4 How to align a personal mission statement with career goals

After your client has created and refined their personal mission statement, the final step is to help them align it with their career goals. This involves helping your client identify and prioritize the career goals that are most relevant and meaningful to their personal mission statement, and to create a plan and action steps to achieve them. You can assist your client in this process by using various frameworks and tools, such as SMART goals, SWOT analysis, or career development plans. To help your client align their personal mission statement with their career goals, it is important to ask questions such as: How does your personal mission statement relate to your current career situation? What gaps or opportunities do you need to address or explore? What short-term and long-term career goals support your personal mission statement? What specific action steps must be taken to achieve those goals? And how will you track and evaluate progress and results?

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5 How to use a personal mission statement as a compass

A personal mission statement is not a one-time exercise, but a living document that your client can use as a compass throughout their career journey. You can help your client by reminding them to review and update their personal mission statement regularly, and to use it as a reference and a guide for their career decisions and actions. You can also help your client by celebrating their achievements, acknowledging their challenges, and providing ongoing support and accountability. By helping your client align their personal mission statement with their career goals, you can help them create a more fulfilling and meaningful career and life.

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Keith Grinsted

IKIGAI Coach – discover your Purpose – Passion - Vocation • Business Blogger – I create engaging content for your business • Articles, E-books, blogs • Keynote Speaker on Workplace Wellbeing • Founder: Goodbye Lonely
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It is very easy to overcomplicate a personal mission statement and make it difficult to follow and maintain. In simplistic terms it is a roadmap for you to follow. Whether as a paper map or using satnav you need to know where you are starting from and where you aim to get to. And that final destination may change as your life develops and other opportunities come your way. Travelling from A - B may not be simply a straight line! Just as with driving to a destination there will be one-way streets, or roundabouts where you may seem to be travelling in the wrong direction. There will also be blockages & diversions to take into the equation. A personal mission statement is a living document to be updated and revised on a regular basis.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you help a client align their personal mission statement with career goals?

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1 Why a personal mission statement matters

2 How to create a personal mission statement

3 How to refine a personal mission statement

4 How to align a personal mission statement with career goals

5 How to use a personal mission statement as a compass

6 Here’s what else to consider

Business Coaching

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How can you help a client align their personal mission statement with career goals?

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5

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1 Why a personal mission statement matters

2 How to create a personal mission statement

3 How to refine a personal mission statement

4 How to align a personal mission statement with career goals

5 How to use a personal mission statement as a compass

6 Here’s what else to consider

Business Coaching

Rate this article

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