One of the things I enjoy most about belonging to a book club is being exposed to ideas I have not considered.  In last month’s book, Content Inc. (about providing unique content, growing followers and building a successful business) the author shared The Pulizzi Mission” his family’s mission statement. 

“As Pulizzis, we hold true the following with ongoing purpose and action:

We thank God every day for our blessings, even on days when we are challenged or face hardships.

We always share what we have with others and help out whenever we can to whoever is in need.

We always finish what we start, always try even though we may be afraid, and always give the activity of the moment our full attention.

Short version:
Thank God. Always share. Say nice things. Give our best.”

Creating a mission statement with your family is not about imposing a set of rules, it’s about bringing clarity to who your family is and what you stand for.  As is often the case, the process is more important than the product.

There are many examples on the internet of family mission statements, here are some suggestions on how to begin.

Step 1:  Start with a series of questions

• What does our family love to do together?
• What words best describe our family
• Do we need to make changes in our family?

Have an open discussion, encourage each individual to voice their ideas.

Step 2:  Vote on core values

Step 3:  Create a slogan

Revisit your mission statement, discuss occasions when it has helped family members.

Lead by example; be sure you are personally living by the mission statement.

What an important tool to guide your children as they face daunting situations, challenges and decisions.

In researching for this blog, I discovered a toolkit for creating a family mission statement by Chad Bockius.  Click HERE. 
The road is easier together,
Linda