The topic that we spend a lot of time on is how to reach and work with our clients. And one of the things I come back to over and over again is the need for you to first look inward before you look outward. In most instances, I talk about what is the tangible value that you are delivering for your clients or the tangible value that you want to provide, but if we step back even further…a more simple question might actually be:
“What is your mission?”
In a lot of cases, our mission statements are vague, unknown, or plain wrong.
And, that really can do a great harm to our ability to achieve the results we are hoping to achieve.
So how do you clarify your vision and define it so that everyone in your organization can say it, live it, and act it?
Start by asking yourself these 3 questions:
1. Why are we doing what we do?
This seems pretty simple, but how often do we forget to ask ourselves why we are even in the business we are in.
For me, I help people and organizations use the power of their missions to achieve their goals.
For you, it could be anything…but you need to answer the why question from the start.
2. What would success look like?
I like to tell my clients that you need to constantly work towards an intended outcome…and that the tactics you take will change, but as long as you know the direction you are heading in, you can maintain progress towards your goals.
If you have a poorly defined outcome in mind, you are likely to get poorly defined results along the way.
So what does success look like for your venture?
3. If we only do one thing, how would we change the world?
This should ultimately open the door to your mission statement. Because in some way, all of the truly great businesses of the world have at their heart some really huge vision for the world:
TED: Spreading Ideas
The Humane Society: Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty
NY Public Library: To inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities.
Now how do you want your organization to be thought of and remembered?
What does your organization do that changes the world? Or, your small corner of the world?