Monday, August 25, 2014

Predictably Un-Predictable!



A new state, a new company, but a new mission?  Hmmm, let’s see…I usually review this type of thing at the end of the year when I am working on my business plan for the upcoming year.  But now seems like a good time to re-visit my personal mission statement since everything is new!  (And because my new broker asked me to!) 

I wrote a personal mission statement years ago that I can tweak as necessary.  I was going to cheat and just use that one, but in the process of trying to find where I had written it down, (Note to self:  When you write it, POST IT where you can always see it!) I came across a journal I have had since 1994, where I have jotted down notes, thoughts and ideas.  (This is one of my “Idea Notebooks”, which I highly suggest everyone have.)  Flipping through the pages, I found a note I wrote Dec. 20, 2000:  

 “Last night after watching the University of Tennessee play UVA, they re-played an acceptance speech from Jimmy Valvono, given March 3, 1993.  He was presented with the Arthur Ashe Award.  I was so moved and inspired by his comments.  He said, not knowing how much time he had left, he had learned there are 3 things everyone should do, every day:   

1.     Laugh
2.     Think and learn
3.     Move your emotions---often, to tears.

Be excited about every day, and enthusiastic about your goals.  Live each day to the fullest.

He died of cancer six weeks later. 

Sometimes I am guilty of not living life to its fullest, or appreciating myself and my individuality.  I am going to change this.  Now.” 

The irony in this is that over the last several years, I realize, after writing this down in my “Idea Notebook”, I actually DID make some changes over the years.  If you have followed me and the blogs I have written over the years, you will know that there were some great times, and some not-so-great times.  During the last not-so-great time, I realized I needed to follow my own advice.  In doing so, I changed the way I looked at and worked my business.  I used my personality and talents to make my real estate business what I wanted it to be:  About building relationships, and having a great time doing it!  In the book, “First Things First,” by Steven Covey, he refers to developing a mission statement as "connecting with your own unique purpose and the profound satisfaction that comes from fulfilling it."  So I guess I have the base to get started on my new statement.   

Are you trying to write one?  Here are some steps to help you get there: 

Step 1: Identify Past Successes. What are some things you have been successful at in the last several years?    These can be successes you have had at work, home, school, sports, etc.  Write them down.  What is the common theme?

Step 2: Identify Core Values. Write down what is important to you, and what your priorities are.  This list of attributes can be as long as you want it to be, but you will want to narrow it down to the one thing that is most important to you.

Step 3: Identify Contributions. How do you make a difference to those around you?  This could be your family, your friends, your co-workers, your child’s sports team, or your community…Anyone you are around.  Make a list of the ways you could make a difference. 

Step 4: Identify Goals. This is a big one:  Make a list of your personal goals.  You can make them long-term, or short-term.

Step 5: Write Mission Statement. Based on the first four steps, begin writing the first draft of your personal mission statement. 

My mission statement:  To live each day to the fullest, with excitement, enthusiasm and a strong desire to build a successful and highly respected real estate business, earned by developing relationships through consistent and predictably high work ethic of always going above and beyond, and always doing so with a creative surprise up my sleeve.


Lovin' Life in the Lowcountry,

Janie




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