It’s easy to find yourself struggling to decide what you should be doing next or find yourself distracted by the latest ‘shiny object’ when you launch a business. But every time it happens you’ll find yourself drifting further from your goals.
If you’re finding yourself getting lost in the day-to-day hustle losing sight of the bigger picture, it might be the perfect time to take a step back and write a mission statement.
A mission statement will keep you focused and excited about the business journey ahead of you, meaning you’ll consistently take the right steps to build your freedom business.
If you’re not sure what one is and how you get started creating one, then let me show you.
What is a Mission Statement?
A mission statement is a concise, fluff-free set of words that outlines what your business does, who it helps and how.
Typically consisting of one or two sentences long, a well-crafted mission statement encapsulates your core values, goals and unique essence of what you do.
Here are some examples of small business mission statements to show you what a good mission statement looks like:
- Paul Fenn, Freelance Copywriter: Offer a quality of workmanship seldom seen anymore, reflecting the depth of briefing I demand of clients before starting a project.
- Strategic Goal, Business Consultants: Our mission is to create business value through the diligent and professional application of consulting services.
- Stella & Chewy’s, Pet Food Business: To help pets & pet parents thrive through the love of raw.
- Anita Forrest, goselfemployed.co: I help people confidently launch their own businesses.
How a Mission Statement Drives Your Business Forward
A mission statement acts as your business’ guidelines, reminding you why your business exists and keeping you on course. It will keep you driving your business forward with purpose and clarity. Here’s why:
- It makes decision-making easier
A mission statement gives you a set of guidelines that you can refer to as part of your decision-making process so you can evaluate your options and make the right choice that is aligned with your overall mission.
- It reminds you of your purpose
With all the ups and downs in business, a written mission statement will motivate you and remind you of who you want to help, how and why.
- A mission statement attracts your ideal client
Making your mission statement visible helps to attract your ideal clients. In a couple of sentences, you can clearly define who you are and what you do. You can also convey your personality, further attracting the perfect customers to you.
- It makes you stand out
In a world filled with competitors, standing out is crucial. Your mission statement is the cornerstone of your brand identity, differentiating you from your competitors and resonating with your target audience.
- It inspires action
Your mission statement should not only inspire you but also the individuals you collaborate with, quickly and easily putting everyone on the same page.
How to Write Your Mission Statement
Crafting a mission statement may not be a quick and easy task. It will probably take a lot of thought. Start by using this mission statement formula and fill in the blanks. You can shift the parts around as you work on your statement, but this is a great starting point to create a draft that you can review and rework.
Mission Statement Formula
My mission is to [what you do] with [how you do it] to help [target audience] to achieve [ultimate outcome]
Tips for Writing Your Mission Statement
1: Read other companies mission statements
Get inspiration from other businesses mission statements to learn different styles and tones to help with your brain storming.
2: Keep it short
A mission statement is short and memorable. You should be able to remember it and use it in everyday conversations.
3: Avoid Jargon
Steer clear of industry jargon. It masks your personality and can sound unnatural.
4: Review and Tweak
Once you have your mission statement written, put it away and come back to it, so you can refine it.
5: Put it somewhere you can see it
Make your mission statement visible – stick it on your wall, make it your screensaver or your social media bio. That way, it’s always at the forefront of your business activities.
Conclusion: Your Business, Your Mission
A mission statement isn’t just a set of words you scribble down and forget about; it’s the heartbeat of your business. By investing time and thought into crafting a clear mission statement, you’re giving your business the secret weapon it needs to thrive and grow into the money-generating freedom business you dream of.