Mission Statements at Their Best

Starting (+ maintaining) a small business is no easy task. As a small business owner, create guidance for yourself + your staff to follow for years to come with one simple statement.

What is a mission statement?

A mission statement is a formal summary of a business that describes its purpose. Typically as short as a few words, to as long as a few sentences, a mission statement describes who + what your company is doing today.

Why is a mission important?

Internal + External Clarity

A company’s mission statement helps bring clarity of why the business exists to both its staff + its customers. Employees should use the mission statement as a guide to why their job exists + a way to measure their success at your company. Customers will reference your mission when they seek to understand what your business does + why it matters to them.

Rejuvenation in Trying Times

When done well, you’ll find your mission statement to be an extremely helpful tool. Every time you need a reminder of why your business exists, refer back to your mission. Its so easy to get caught up in the routine of work. We as American’s work so hard, that we often forget WHY we work so hard. Having a mission, a goal, a purpose for your business should refresh your work life. Memorize your mission statement + repeat it to yourself regularly. Use it as the fuel to your fire!

It’s Your Fail Safe

When you find yourself in the midst of a difficult business decision (whether it be with staff, customers, growth or company direction) refer back to your mission. You wrote the statement at your freshest, at your most excited self. Say your mission out loud + make the decision that best fulfills your goal.

How to fulfill your mission

At my unpaid internship my senior year of college, the President of the non-profit made time for me on my first day. For a solid hour, he talked me through the purpose of the non-profit + explained their mission in detail. He told me that every time I was given a task in his office to ask myself “How can I complete this task to help fulfil the mission?” From making coffee runs, to keeping meeting notes, to helping with event set up, to meeting industry giants, + more, I got into the practice of making myself complete the task in a way that would help fulfil the mission. This, in turn, yielded both success + contemptment in my role.

Missions give use purpose, guidance, + direction + help us feel good about every task we complete as we know we are working towards a greater goal.