Is there a difference between "purpose" and "mission"?
As I was surfing around looking at articles and posts related to purpose, mission, values, visions, and goals, it became clear that while some people use "purpose" and "mission" as synonyms, others do not. I wrestled with that for quite a while; what I realized is that I've never made a distinction between the two in my own life.
I finally got it. (The language below is adapted from several places.)
Your purpose (or your organization's purpose) is why you do what you do. As I told you, my purpose (which I was thinking was also my mission) in life is "empowering people to be self-expressive, creative, and spiritually connected."
Your mission, flowing from your purpose, is how you (will) fulfill that purpose. So in my case, I introduce people to their ability to improvise (expressing themselves by creating and connecting with others in a supportive, non-critical [i.e., loving] atmosphere), to lead drum circles and to develop their own interpretive voice when playing classical music. I also do it by teaching this class.
So, as you see, I now have the opportunity to write a mission statement, and I'll do that by Tuesday's class. (I need to catch up with you all!)
Writing prompt #1: Rewrite your mission statement as a purpose statement and a mission statement.
The next step in this class is to develop a vision of what it will look like when you are fulfilling your purpose by engaging in your mission.
A vision statement
I shared with Greg the following example that might be developed by a nephrologist (kidney doctor):
Purpose: To heal
Mission: To eliminate the need for human donors for people who have kidney failure, because many don’t receive a transplant in time
Vision: A world where people with kidney disease no longer need dialysis or human transplants, but are able to live a full life via another therapeutic cure
The vision is the inspiration that keeps this doctor on the path when challenges to fulfill this daunting mission appear. But it’s this person’s purpose in life – to heal – that leads to this particular mission and vision. Without it, s/he will likely lose the fire to continue down the path when challenges arise.
That makes it very clear, and I find it very useful.
So--no surprise--let's write vision statements, too. Next will be specific goals, and developing a project that you can complete all or a significant part of this semester. It's fine to be thinking about long and short-term goals and a project or projects. Lisa has a great post on the importance of a vision that shapes the goal-setting process, using the famous "I Have a Dream" speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an example.
Writing prompt #2: Write a vision statement to add to your purpose and mission statements.
Share your responses to both writing prompts in a comment.
Final thought: I articulated my purpose long after I started living it. I was able to write it down in part because I looked at what I loved doing, and was doing. I'll say it over and over: these may be works in progress. Writing something down, searching your soul, is work well worth doing. Asking the questions of yourself is more powerful than any particular answer. Ideas for a project or projects may come first, and in the midst of doing them you come to understand what your purpose, mission, and vision are.
Final thought #2: You're welcome to add comments about the two posts I've linked to.
