Focusing On My Mission

My mission as an executive coach
is to encourage individuals and teams
to learn and to laugh
to rediscover their purpose, passion and priorities
to name and to claim
their most impossible dreams.

I keep my purpose statement on my desk and look at it every day. I need a continual reminder to keep me focused. Otherwise, I have a tendency to invest time and energy in activities that distract, rather than contribute to my mission.

Every day, I make choices. In the moment, most choices appear to be tactical in nature. But I have learned the hard way that my tactical decisions can easily become strategic decisions.

Every time I say "yes" to a request from someone else, I make a commitment. I either devote resources to my mission, or I devote resources to something else. Over time, if I say "yes" to too many activities outside of my mission, my mission withers from starvation. I simply don't have enough time, energy, and mental focus left to give.

Occasionally I have tried to revive my mission by showering it with attention after months of neglect. Unfortunately, this is like suddenly dumping an entire season of rain on a parched garden. The brown plants do not turn green. Instead, the soil washes away and I have to start over.

Just like a garden, my mission requires constant attention. Every day I need to water tiny little seedlings that may not bear fruit for months or years. Every day I need to dig up the weeds that compete for space in my garden. I need to start some activities, and stop other activities.

I've discovered that my mission statement is a great source of power. When I keep my mission statement in front of my eyes and carry it in my heart, I give myself permission to say "no" to anything that has the potential to distract me. I don't feel guilty about my choices. I make tough decisions with a sense of peace.

I say "yes" to my mission.