How to Write a Family Mission Statement
A family mission statement is a document that outlines the core values, beliefs, and goals of your family. It acts as a roadmap for making important family decisions and serves to bring you together as a family unit. In today’s busy world, where families are often overscheduled and overstressed, having a guiding principle to follow can make all the difference.
Importance of Having a Family Mission Statement
Life is full of challenges, and families who have a clear set of values can navigate these challenges with more ease and confidence because they know they’re moving in the right direction. A family mission statement helps you stay focused on what matters most – each other.
The process of creating a mission statement also provides an opportunity to work together as a team and strengthen your relationships. By involving every member of your family in defining what you stand for and where you’re headed, you’ll build stronger connections that will last a lifetime.
Step 1: Determine Your Family Values
The first step in creating a family mission statement is determining your core values. These values are the qualities that you believe are most important for your family to live by.
The importance of determining your family’s values
Knowing your values can help you make better decisions because you have a clear idea of what is most important to you as a family. You’ll be able to align your actions with your beliefs, which will help you feel more fulfilled and satisfied in life.
How to brainstorm and reflect on what is important for your family
- Sit down with everyone in your family and begin brainstorming.
- Ask each person to share what they think is important in life and why.
- Go around the table several times until you have a list of values that everyone agrees on.
How to prioritize your family values
Once you have a list of values, it’s time to prioritize them. Discuss which ones are most important and narrow down the list to no more than five or six key values. This will help ensure that you can remember your mission statement easily and stay focused on what’s most important.
Step 2: Define Your Family’s Purpose and Goals
After you’ve identified your core values, the next step is to define your family’s purpose and goals. A family purpose is the reason why you exist as a family, while goals are the specific outcomes you want to achieve.
Why it is important to define the purpose of your family
Your family purpose will guide your decision-making as a group. It represents what your family stands for and what it wants to contribute to the world. Having a clear purpose will help you make decisions that align with your values, so you can create a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
How to identify your goals as a family
- Sit down with your family again and ask each person what they want to achieve in life.
- Dream big and write down all of the ideas on a piece of paper.
- Go through each idea one by one and decide which ones align with your family purpose.
- Narrow down the list to no more than three or four key goals.
Different types of family goals and examples
- Educational: Help every family member achieve his or her educational goals.
- Career: Support each family member’s career growth and development.
- Health: Set goals for healthy eating, regular exercise, and self-care.
- Financial: Make money management a family priority to ensure long-term financial stability.
Step 3: Draft Your Family Mission Statement
Now that you have a clear idea of your core values, purpose, and goals, it’s time to draft your family mission statement. This is your chance to put everything in writing and create a guiding principle that reflects your family’s unique identity.
Tips for writing your mission statement effectively
- Keep it short and sweet. A mission statement should be easy to remember and repeat.
- Avoid using jargon or buzzwords that might not be understood by everyone in your family.
- Focus on what matters most. Your mission statement should reflect what your family values most deeply.
Elements that should be included in a mission statement
Your family mission statement should include:
- Your core values
- Your purpose as a family
- Your goals as a family
- A call to action or reminder of how you will live by these principles daily
Examples of well-crafted mission statements
Here are some examples of well-crafted mission statements:
- We commit to honesty, integrity, and respect in all our interactions as we build strong relationships with each other and our community.
- We will support each other’s dreams and passions while creating a loving and harmonious environment that celebrates diversity and fosters personal growth.
- We will strive to live healthy, active lifestyles both physically and mentally, while balancing our work, family and individual needs.
Step 4: Revise and Finalize Your Family Mission Statement
Once you’ve drafted your mission statement, it’s time to revise it. Look for areas that need improvement or further clarification. Make sure everyone is on board with the final version.
Working together as a family to revise the first draft
Schedule a family meeting to go through the draft mission statement together. Discuss any changes that need to be made, such as rewording sentences or making the statement more concise. Make sure everyone agrees on the final version before moving forward.
Finalizing the mission statement, assigning responsibilities, and actions
Finalize your mission statement by incorporating any necessary revisions. Then, assign responsibilities for living out your mission statement daily. This might include creating an action plan or checklist to help everyone stay on track.
Step 5: Implement and Live by The Family Mission Statement
The final step is to put your mission statement into action! Every member of your family should be committed to living by its principles daily.
Strategies for living by your mission statement daily
- Display your mission statement in a prominent location where everyone can see it.
- Have regular check-ins where you discuss how well you’re staying aligned with your core values and goals.
- Celebrate when you make progress towards achieving your goals as a family.
The importance of revisiting your mission statement periodically
Revisit your family mission statement periodically to ensure it still reflects your current values, purpose, and goals as a family. If necessary, make revisions or update it to align with any changes that have occurred over time.
Benefits of Having a Family Mission Statement
There are numerous benefits to having a family mission statement:
Ways in which having a family mission statement can bring your family closer together
- Fosters strong relationships by providing a shared sense of identity and purpose.
- Gives family members a sense of security and stability by providing guidance during difficult times.
- Promotes communication by facilitating conversations about what’s important to each family member.
Its role in setting goals as an individual and as a family unit
A family mission statement helps you stay focused on your goals as an individual and as a family. It gives you clarity about the direction you want to go, which makes it easier to stay motivated and achieve your desired outcomes.
Challenges when Creating a Family Mission Statement
The process of creating your mission statement may not be easy. Here are some challenges you may encounter:
Trying to make it too perfect
You might feel pressure to create the perfect mission statement. However, perfection is not the goal. Keep in mind that this is a living document that you can adjust over time if necessary.
Conclusion
Create your own family mission statement with confidence! This process will help you get clear on what matters most to your family, align your behavior with those values, and deepen your connections with each other. Remember, this is a team effort that requires everyone’s participation. By joining together to create your family mission statement, you will build a stronger, happier, and more fulfilling life for everyone.
7 FAQs on How to Write a Family Mission Statement
What is a family mission statement?
A family mission statement is a written declaration of a family’s shared beliefs, values, and goals. It describes how the family members want to live their lives and what they want to accomplish together.
Why is it important to have a family mission statement?
A family mission statement helps clarify the family’s purpose and direction. It creates a sense of unity and provides guidance for decision-making. It also helps communicate the family’s values and beliefs to future generations.
How do you start writing a family mission statement?
- Talk to your family members about their values, beliefs, and goals.
- Write down everyone’s ideas on a notepad or whiteboard.
- Look for common themes and ideas that resonate with everyone.
- Draft a mission statement that reflects these themes in clear and concise language.
What should be included in a family mission statement?
A family mission statement should include:
- The family’s core values and beliefs
- The family’s unique strengths and assets
- The family’s vision for the future
- The way the family intends to contribute to society
Should a family mission statement be formal or informal?
It depends on your preference. Some families prefer to write their mission statements as formal documents, while others prefer more casual language. What matters most is that the content reflects your values and beliefs.
How often should a family review its mission statement?
Your family should review its mission statement periodically, such as every year or every few years. This allows you to assess whether you are living up to your values and goals and make any necessary adjustments.
What are some examples of family mission statements?
Here are some examples:
- “We believe in kindness, honesty, and hard work. Our goal is to support each other and contribute to our community through volunteering and activism.”
- “Our family values education, adventure, and creativity. We strive to live life to the fullest and inspire others with our passion.”
- “We are a family that believes in equality, respect, and social justice. Our mission is to use our resources and talents to make a positive difference in the world.”
keys takeaways
4 Key Takeaways for Writing a Family Mission Statement
- Collaboration: Make sure everyone in the family is involved in crafting the mission statement. This ensures that each family member feels heard and invested in the family’s values.
- Values: Identify what values are important to your family. This can include things like honesty, respect, and empathy. These values will serve as the foundation for your mission statement.
- Goals: Determine what goals you want to achieve as a family. This can include things like spending more quality time together or volunteering in your community. These goals should align with your family’s values.
- Revisit: Schedule regular check-ins to ensure that you are living up to your family mission statement. Revisit and revise the statement as necessary to reflect any changes in your family’s values or goals.
Writing a family mission statement can be a valuable tool for fostering communication, unity, and purpose within your family. By working together to identify your values and goals, you can create a shared vision for how you want to live your lives together. Remember, this is a living document that should evolve as your family evolves. Keep these key takeaways in mind as you embark on this important journey with your loved ones.