Defining Your Mission: Discover Your Core Purpose for Success in Life and Business

Hey there! Perry here. Today, I want to talk about something that’s absolutely crucial for anyone looking to make a real impact in the world: defining your mission. It might sound like a big, intimidating task, but trust me, it’s not as complicated as you might think. In fact, uncovering your core purpose is all about asking yourself a few key questions and being honest about what truly matters to you.

The Three M Framework

At the heart of defining your mission is what I like to call the “Three M Framework.” It’s a simple yet powerful way to think about your purpose and how you can make it a reality. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Mission: What do you want to accomplish??
2. Message: What is the Mission’s central message you want to share with the world?
3. Mountain: How will you get this message out to the world??

By answering these questions, you’ll start to gain clarity on what your mission is and how you can make it a reality.

Who Do You Want to Serve?

One of the most important questions you can ask yourself when defining your mission is, “Who do I want to serve?” In other words, who is your ideal audience? Who are the people you want to help, inspire, or educate?

Maybe you want to serve small business owners who are struggling to grow their companies. Maybe you want to help new moms navigate the challenges of balancing work and family life. Or maybe you want to inspire young people to pursue their passions and live life on their own terms.

Whatever your answer, getting clear on who you want to serve is essential. It will help you tailor your message, your approach, and your entire mission to the needs and desires of your target audience.

How Much Money Do You Want to Make?

Let’s be real: money matters. While it shouldn’t be the sole focus of your mission, it’s important to consider how much money you want to make and how you’ll generate revenue.

Do you want to build a multi-million dollar business? Do you want to earn a comfortable living doing work you love? Do you want to create a non-profit organization that relies on donations and grants?

There’s no right or wrong answer, but it’s important to be honest with yourself about your financial goals. This will help you create a mission that’s not only meaningful but also sustainable in the long run.

What Do You Want Your Day to Look Like?

Another key question to consider is, “What do I want my day to look like?” In other words, what kind of lifestyle do you want to create for yourself as you pursue your mission?

Do you want to work from home and have the flexibility to spend time with your family? Do you want to travel the world and work from anywhere with an internet connection? Do you want to work in a traditional office setting with a team of like-minded individuals?

Again, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The key is to be honest about what kind of lifestyle you want and to create a mission that aligns with those desires.

Why Is This Mission Important?

Finally, it’s crucial to ask yourself, “Why is this mission important?” What is the deeper meaning or purpose behind the work you want to do?

Maybe you want to help people live healthier, happier lives because you’ve struggled with your own health and well-being in the past. Maybe you want to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces because you’ve experienced discrimination or bias firsthand. Or maybe you want to inspire others to follow their dreams because you know the joy and fulfillment that comes from doing what you love.

Whatever your reason, getting clear on why your mission matters will give you the motivation and resilience you need to keep going, even when things get tough.

Real-World Examples

To illustrate these points, let’s look at a few real-world examples of people who have defined their missions and are making a real impact in the world.

Take Sarah Blakely, for example. She’s the founder of Spanx, a multi-million dollar shapewear company. But before she started Spanx, Sarah was selling fax machines door-to-door. She hated her job and knew she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life.

So, she started asking herself some of the questions we’ve talked about today. She realized that she wanted to serve women by creating products that made them feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin. She knew she wanted to build a profitable business that would allow her to have the lifestyle she desired. And she was driven by a deep belief that every woman deserves to feel beautiful and empowered, no matter her size or shape.

With that mission in mind, Sarah created Spanx and revolutionized the shapewear industry. Today, she’s not only a successful entrepreneur but also a philanthropist and role model for women everywhere.

Another example is Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS Shoes. Blake’s mission is to use business to improve lives. For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need. But Blake’s mission doesn’t stop there. He’s also committed to creating sustainable, eco-friendly products and supporting various charitable causes around the world.

What’s interesting about Blake’s mission is that it evolved over time. When he first started TOMS, he was focused solely on donating shoes. But as he learned more about the communities he was serving, he realized that he could make an even bigger impact by expanding his mission to include other areas of need, such as eye care and clean water.

#Putting It All Together

So, how do you put all of this together to define your mission? Here’s a simple step-by-step process:

1. Reflect on your passions, skills, and values. What do you love to do? What are you naturally good at? What values guide your decisions and actions?
2. Identify the problem you want to solve or the people you want to serve. What challenges do you see in the world that you want to help overcome? Who are the people you feel called to serve?
3. Determine your unique value proposition. What sets you apart from others who are trying to solve similar problems or serve similar audiences? What skills, experiences, or perspectives do you bring to the table?
4. Craft a clear, concise mission statement. Using the answers to the questions above, write a mission statement that clearly articulates your purpose, your target audience, and the impact you want to make.
5. Create an action plan. Break your mission down into specific goals and action steps. What do you need to do to make your mission a reality? What resources do you need? Who can you enlist to help you?

Remember, defining your mission is an ongoing process. As you learn and grow, your mission may evolve and change over time. That’s okay! The important thing is to stay true to your core purpose and to keep taking action toward your goals.

Wrapping Up

Defining your mission is one of the most important things you can do as an entrepreneur, leader, or change-maker. It gives you clarity, direction, and purpose. It helps you stay focused on what matters most, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.

So, take some time to reflect on the questions we’ve discussed today. Be honest with yourself about what you want to achieve and why it matters to you. And don’t be afraid to dream big! The world needs more people like you who are willing to put their hearts and souls into making a difference.

As always, thanks for joining me on this journey. Let’s keep learning, growing, and making a positive impact together. Until next time, take care!