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.
Purpose: To make the desire for music come alive in people’s minds.
ReplyDeleteMission: Provide live music and make it fiscally and intellectually accessible.
Vision: I want music to build new communities on local levels. I want it to be a another activity like fireworks at the park on July 4th, the first day the pool opens for the year, and the Harvest Fest in my home town that happens every fall.
Purpose: To leave a legacy in my children.
ReplyDeleteMission: To learn and conquer as much as I can in life so that my knowledge and success can live longer than myself.
Vision: To be able to share with my children everything life teaches me so that they become the “salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-16).
I was very intrigued by Daniel Pink’s concept of motivation. The idea of keeping your mind open while working through a problem rather than focusing on the smallest aspects makes sense. The idea almost seems trivial until one thinks of so many issues or tasks that became overly complicated because of one mistake. Also the idea of working not for promotions or rewards but rather for one’s personal growth and for the overall good fit well into what we’ve been talking about in class recently. When thinking of our mission statement and trying to find something within ourselves to share and communicate with others, the idea of working with a purpose beyond our own personal gain is exactly what we must do. The two questions video made me stop and wonder, what is my sentence? Have I ever had a sentence? If I make one now will it change? Is this short term or long term? I started analyzing the question to the point where I was losing its meaning. The two questions are meant to drive us, to push us forward and keep our minds open and proactive. There are far too many occasions where we felt held back or feel defeated/hopeless. These questions are here to break through those feelings and allow for growth.
ReplyDeleteAfter viewing the “Inspirational Power of Purpose” view covering P&G and their ad campaign, I could not get over their mission statement; “to touch lives and improve life for consumers worldwide.” This mission statement is simple yet very powerful. Many companies say they innovate for the consumer or provide for the growth of the customer but how many of these ‘big name’ companies actually live by it? You can see P&G giving back to the community and empowering youth to be achieve greatness and their products are there to help. I feel as though, many companies can take a lesson from the mission statement P&G has and should look to their consumers for inspiration rather than income statements.
Purpose: To enkindle the hidden energy within us all and inspire individuals to act on this innate focus through music
Mission: To share my passion for chamber music and the art of playing in hopes to instill a greater awareness for the mastery of a trade
Vision: I want to show people that through my own passion I’ve been able to push myself not only in music but in all aspects of my life. In a concert setting I want audience members to understand the true craft of chamber music and how its teachings can motivate one to aspire for greatness in any field.
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