If you have been in business for any length of time you have come to realize that companies have a mission statement that is put out in order to define what they want to accomplish or the role of 
their organization. Where it is good to put your purpose on paper, it is better to take the mission and put it to action. I have always found it better to actually show people or clients what you do by your actions, rather than pointing to words and hoping for the best. Make your words count by being accountable to them and yourself.
Here are some steps to help you get your mission into action;
- Your action statement needs to define you; I want to make a positive difference in the lives of my family, friends and co-workers. Okay, this sounds good but….. go deeper.
- Use statements that further drive this point across, I will accomplish this by….. OR, In order to make this happen I…. Remember that this is about you, it is your statement of action, but like most items of action it requires you to do something.
- Ask yourself two simple questions as you start this;
- What do I want tohappen?
- Is what I am doing now going to get me that
- Write down you goals, passions, desires and wants. Did you notice I said write it down? Pull out a sheet of paper, get a pen or open up a new window on your computer and start typing. Your statement must mean something and everything to you! Start with a simple outline of words or phrases and you can worry about how to put them all together in a neat and concise format later.
- Your action statement must become quantifiable.
- I will be there for my spouse and family – FAIR but not good
- I will take the time necessary when I get home after work to help my child with his/her homework every night during the week. GOOD
- I will cook dinner with my spouse three times a week. GOOD
- I will meet with my co-workers every Thursday to discuss items as to how we can work better together to accomplish our collective work goals. GOOD
- Your action statement needs to define you. Like your resume (see prior post, Rewriting Your Resume; Man I Look Good On Paper), your action statement is a reflection of what you are but more so as to what you want to become. It is forward thinking based on where you have been and need to go. Short digression here… one of the items that I instill in my employees and co-workers is that we can not change what has already happened. We can only make new things happen going forward. Our past discussions and actions have shaped us to the point of where we are now but they do not have to define where we go from here. Stand on this moment and look back for guidance; decide what needs to happen now and take action to go forward in the proper direction. Also, do not continually blame or beat yourself up for past poor decisions as this will slow your ability to take action going forward.
- Share your action statement with someone you trust. If you do not have anyone to trust, this needs to be part of your action statement. Receiving input/advice from others regarding your action statement is simply that. They are not there to rewrite it; rather they are there to be a sounding board for you to make sure that your action statement is what you want it to be.
- Post your action statement and read it out loud often. Are you accountable to yourself? Ask your trusted friend or family member if they see a difference in what you are doing. The key here is to make your statement visible and measurable.
- Finally, your action statement is not written in stone. Adapt it and make it grow with you and the actions that you are accomplishing. This can be done weekly, monthly or yearly. Circle a date one month in advance on your calendar or put a reminder in Outlook and plan to review your action statement then. The point is that your passion will grow, your needs will change and you have to keep up. Yes, that means writing and rewriting your action statement. Hey, I didn’t say that this would be easy or you could write your action statement and put it in a drawer and move on. This is your life and you need to take control of where you are going. Make life happen because of you not to you!
The Worst Four Letter Word, and Yes it starts with f***
Let’s face it, we do not live in a fair or need I say “just” world. First of all, one of the worst four letter words that you can use in the world is the word fair. Fair is such a relative word in terms of each persons interpretation of what fair is. “That’s not fair,” makes one think of a second grader complaining that Susie got more candy than you did. Forget the word fair and start using the word just. Just means, as defined by Dictionary.com, “Based on right; rightful; lawful: in keeping with truth or fact.”
Fair conjures up the weaker side of "just." It's like that luke warm handshake that you get from the guy you are just about to interview for a key sales position and it leaves you wondering if you just grabbed a dead fish. Fair is the restatement of medocriacy. It is the reson why you are in a nine to five job and count down the last hour and a half of your work day every day of the week. Fair happens to you and "just-ness" happens because of you.
Now that you have your bearings straight and will dispose of the word “fair” from your vocabulary, we can move forward. By seeing things in a “just” fashion, we can dispose of adolescent thinking and move into the business world of adult reality.
Rewriting Your Resume, Man I Look Good on Paper!
When was the last time that you rewrote your resume? For those of you that are among the over 9% unemployed, I understand that this statement may be met with the unfortunate need of your situation. My heart and thoughts go out to you. (By the way, I will refrain from using the word “resume`” with the little thing after the “e” as I am not really sure what that thing is that goes on the end of the word that makes you pronounce it that way and I really do not care. Please no comments, I said I really do not care. ) Chances are that if you find yourself currently out of work you have needed to update your resume out of necessity. You have needed to reinvent yourself on paper and figure out what it is that makes you so good and better than the rest of those that are also endeavoring for that coveted position. For those that are currently employed, you may be worried from time to time why it is that you are still so vital to your employer in the mix of another round of lay-offs at your company. The key is to understand who and what you are and then reinvent what you need to be to carry yourself forward and create the new you that a new employer will need to have or a current one will want to keep.
In the past I have had meetings and spoke about taking the time to rewrite your resume to my current associates or to groups. Let’s just say that sometimes it does not go over so well at first. When speaking to employees that I oversee and support, the first thing out of their mouth is, “Dan, are you trying to tell me something?” “Do I still have a job?” Or if speaking to an outside group at the request of a company or manager, I get a few odd looks from those that asked me to speak. After reassuring everyone I continue with my reasoning. When you write your resume, you take the time to focus on all of the positive attributes, characteristics and talents that you have acquired over the many years that you have worked. If you are like many of the people I talk to daily, the world is not as kind and forgiving a place as it once was. By taking the time to rewrite your resume you have the opportunity to reflect on what it is that you do well and remind yourself of what you need to be proud of accomplishing. Likewise, it forces you to realize your weaknesses. Where are the chinks in my armor that could ultimately lead to my downfall? All is not perfect in Pleasantville nor should it be. Better that you take a hard look at where you can improve yourself and work to fix it, than to wait or ignore it and have someone else point it out to you as a reason you are no longer needed or not right for the job.
Take the time to rewrite your resume whether you are in need of a job, are considering looking for a job or just happy with your job. Your resume serves as a barometer to continually help you through learning and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your business life. Think of it as a business check-up that you should perform every six months so that you are maintaining yourself in pristine condition. When you discover issues about yourself that need to be addressed, do not shy away from them but rather seek to improve them. Do this individually or thorough the help of friends, family or business colleagues. You owe it to yourself so take the time to make it happen. Life is not always about your greatness as portrayed to others but rather, maybe it is about believing you are great and acting upon it so others will see it.
