I subscribe to the Nightingale-Conant AdvantEdge Newsletter and the recent one had a fun link to a Goals/Mission Statement generator. Here it is: http://www.nightingale.com/mission_select.aspx?promo=INLACx394v2. You'll need to copy and paste that link into your browser.
The program walks you through short little lists such as your greatest strengths and some associated actions plus your personal and/or business goals. Then you narrow it down by choosing the top three of two categories. The system then makes it into a paragraph which flows nicely (or at least mine did).
The Bible talks about writing it (your goals, your desires) plainly so that he who reads it may "run"--accomplish same. See Habakkak 2:2. I'm not sure "he" here, the one who reads it, means allowing just anyone to take a potshot at your dreams, but is more about writing it down, clearly, so clearly and plainly that a stranger could understand what you meant. It is important however to put it in front of YOUR eyes, for sure.
There is the Old Testament story (see Gen. 30:25-43) of the black-and-white reeds placed in the watering trough for sheep, where they also mated, that produced, yep, you guessed it, black-and-white offspring. Note that sheep are supposed to be the one of the stupidest animals on the planet. So I doubt they were doing one hundred affirmations throughout their day about the black-and-white babies they were supposed to give birth to.
Those sheep probably saw the reeds as they drank, maybe three times, maybe eight times, however many times daily. Who knows. And they probably just glanced as them. I don't know if they had the brain cells to even question, Why? Why are those reeds here? So believe me, we are giving our Mission Statement more notice than those sheep, and we should be getting better results than them.
There is also the parable of the sower and the seed, where we plant, then go about other chores--which proves we have our part and God has His. That we don't need to be fixated on watching our seeds grow. Sure, we protect them from floods and ice and fire, and later from scavenging wildlife or just plain poachers. That may be the "watering" element, above and beyond the actual watering plants need.
One scripture (of others) in the Bible that always confused me dealt with planting your field before building your house. Maybe pitching a tent or building a lean-to is not what is prohibited here as our first duty. But in this context, I think it means to take care of our external long-term goals (growing food here, maybe growing future earnings/retirement in our world) and then to focus on our comfort, our permanent home, our internal thoughts. So that we nurture those seeds in the field by thinking we will reap a bountiful crop--not negating our physical actions with such negative thoughts like "we are dismal failures as farmers."
Just my opinion here. Take what you need and discard the rest.
The Bible contains admonitions such as this:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8 ASV.
Guard your hearts and minds. Be careful what you consistently do. For there are consequences.
I said all that to say this: Use the fun generator and print out your one-paragraph Mission Statement. Gag your internal critic while you are creating this, each time you read it, and in between readings. Post a copy of it on the fridge. Near your coffeepot. On the bathroom mirror (maybe in a plastic sleeve--ha!). Read it as you contemplate what to have for dinner, as you await your morning caffeine buzz and as you brush your teeth. You don't need to worry about your conscious brain memorizing it. Your subconscious takes over. If you repeat those good efforts daily--or almost daily--your mission statement will take mental roots.
And the collective mind of God that we share (you may call it the collective mind or intuition or other terms) will guide your daily actions respectively.
Keep busy. Write one book; immediately start another. For you nonauthors, do what you love. And keep doing more of it. As long as you are not hurting others to accomplish it.
Then, come New Year's Day 2013, read your 2012 Mission Statement and compare it to what you accomplished this year. You will be surprised by your results.
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