Friday

Creating a Family Mission Statement

Our family sat down after dinner the other night with paper and pen.

I read this wonderful article on creating a family mission statement and knew it was something we should do!

Why write a mission statement for your family? Because it asks the question....why are we doing this? Let's face it, we have busy lives, pressed with pressure to fill every hour of every day.

With a family mission statement, it helps us remember that everything we do should have a purpose.

We started by brainstorming some goals we'd like to accomplish as a family. We talked about diverting our normal vacation money towards a goal of going on a family mission trip and making a point to have fun on a regular basis. (My kids threw the word adoption in there, too, and we suggested they pray for their Mommy and Daddy).

Goals are different than a mission statement. Goals are things you want to accomplish/do. Mission statements are they whys behind what you do.

In this article, How to Write a Family Mission Statement, there are practical ideas and examples with this formula--


To…. (Do something)

In such a way that….. (Quality of action)

So that…. (We gain these results or benefits)

Here's what we came up with:

"To make a difference in the world, a single light, shining brightly in such a way that we keep Jesus our focus, listen closely to His voice & enjoy life. So that we can say at the end of the day, we've touched others & thrived."

I printed the words out and gathered some scrapbook paper and a frame I never used on an older project:



I glued the words to the paper and framed it:


Just having those words down on paper makes me feel we're on the right track!

28 comments:

Jeni said...

What a great idea! I think my husband and I need to sit down and do this, and get the kids involved when they get a bit older.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea!

I think I'm going to try to get P on board with this and I bet Ben would absolutely love it.

Elizabeth said...

I love it! Not only is it cute, but meaningful. Last year we displayed our family goals for the year similar to this (and will do it again this year) but I love the idea of having a mission statement. What a great example you are!

Anonymous said...

This is awesome. My two aren't old enough to contribute yet, but if I post one now that will grow up with the culture of having one. :)

Amanda said...

What a wonderful idea! And I love what you came up with!

Lori said...

Awesome! I'm inspired. Thanks for sharing!

Kristen @ Moms Sharpening Moms said...

I am all over this idea like white on rice.

Thanks for introducing me to this!

Have a great weekend!

Charity said...

I love this idea, I like to fill my house with meaningful art and this would be great. This going in the must do file. Thanks for the inspiration.

Cha Cha

Katie said...

This is awesome! What a great idea to put it on paper and CLAIM it! Keep inspiring : )

Kim said...

What a great idea. I've been inspired! I also want to have a family verse.
You all are awsome!

Kirsten said...

Oh that's beautiful!! (The statement, and the frame) :)

Cher said...

oh, i LOVE this! I will definately be featuring you and this idea on my blog in the near future!

Stephanie said...

My husband and I just decided to do this last week. Thank you for the post and the link, we will be looking at them for ideas as we get ready to set up our own. I can't wait!

laci said...

thank you!!!! we were just talking at dinner last night about our family goals....but that is all we did talk. I love the idea of a mission statement and we want to write out our family goals as well. Do you have any ideas on help with setting family goals? a list to look thru to get us started. something to refer to like this mission statement. we would love any help! I am so going to print our mission statement and goals and make them concrete and real!!!! thanks as always for the amazing inspiration

Jen @ After The Alter said...

wow that is beautiful!!! I think that will look wonderful in your home.and will be a great keepsake in the future. What a great idea!

Melissa said...

Very cool idea!!!! I love it!

Alison said...

I love that you framed it!

Amy@ MomsToolbox said...

That's awesome! What a great reminder.
We have our wedding vows hanging, but I have never thought of posting a family mission statement.
I think we just might have to do that!

Michelle Potter said...

That's such a great idea, and what a beautiful reminder you have created!

It Feels Like Chaos said...

I love the meaning behind this project and how beautifully you framed it! P.S. It was so great to meet you at the dinner Tuesday night!

Anonymous said...

This is honestly one of the best ideas I've ever seen! LOVE this! And can't wait to do this in our family. Thanks for the great idea.

Polly said...

Kristen, Love the mission statement and how you choose to display it in your home! Great idea!

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

What a wonderful idea and to have it prominently displayed in the home will surely keep you guys on track!

Niki Jolene said...

Kristen, as usual you hit a home run with a great idea for families!

:)

I will totally be doing this with my own family and think everyone should have a mission statement!

Hugs!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

What a great idea...and yours is beautiful!

Jennibell said...

I LOVE this Kristen! We are actually working on our Family Road Map (http://longingforafricafundraisers.blogspot.com/) and I went to the link you posted for help in this mission statement. Friends of ours wrote this Family Roadmap Workbook and I highly recommend it. . .I think I'll link Joe & Aimee to your project here. . .it's a great way to proclaim and display your family's mission statement.

Sarah said...

Great idea, I love it and it looks so classy! :)

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

Thanks for bringing this to my attention! We could use this, instead of being like fish flopping around out of water.