April 21, 2022  

Mission? What’s the Use?

Darren Smith

Weekly TRUTH

A colleague recently remarked: “What’s the use of a mission? After it’s created, it’s quickly forgotten.”  I replied that I thought their statement was largely true, for two primary reasons. Reason #1: Mission and goals go together. Do you set goals? Does it seem odd to set goals without a mission? What if you had a mission first and then set goals second? Goals should help you execute your mission… Goals without a mission are ridiculous. A mission with no goals is pointless.  Reason #2: Do you think of your mission in this way: “Your mission is the substance of who you are? It’s what you do best.”  If you don’t know your mission, do you know who you are? What percentage of folks do you think know their mission? Here’s some things to think about:
  • Your mission is helping others in a very specific way. You’re the only one with your mission. 
  • You are equipped with exactly what you need to execute your mission. It’s no accident that you were born with the talents, temperament, and gifts which you have been given.  
  • You execute your mission every minute of your life. It’s not a 9-to-5 deal. 
Your mission IS your potential and you measure achieving it.   Do you feel different about mission? Do you understand it’s use? Do you understand how to keep it front of mind to drive your decision making?

This article was last modified on May 25, 2022 .

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About the author 

Darren Smith

Darren Smith is Co-Founder of the Authentic Leadership Institute. He is a native Texan and a graduate of Dallas Jesuit and Texas A&M University. Over the past 25 years, Darren has visited 35 countries and led 100 strategy programs. He and his wife have five children.

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