SENSE

OF PURPOSE

© 2016 FranklinCovey Co.

Published by Mango Media Inc.

Cover Design: Roberto Nunez

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by
any means without prior written permission.

A Sense of Purpose - Stephen R. Covey
ISBN: 978-1-63353-336-3





HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

*As you read this book you will encounter this icon:

This icon is a reminder to open the notes feature in your

eReader or a notebook in order to complete the tasks
within the book.


Chapter 1

Introduction

In our lives, if we have not made clear what is most important to us, the thing
that is most urgent at any given moment will dictate priority. We may never get
around to doing what we think might be most important. If we are to direct our
lives toward our true priorities, we need to clarify what is most important. A
simple yet powerful way to do this is to write a Personal Mission Statement. A
mission statement is a clear, simple statement of what is really important in our
lives. It states what matters most to us.



The purpose of this book is to help you create your Personal Mission Statement.
As you discover your mission, you will find that your mission statement will
give your life greater purpose and direction. It will empower you to lead your
life instead of spending your life reacting. As you work through this book, you
will be challenged with images, questions, and self-reflection. When you have
completed this book, you will have written a working draft of your Personal
Mission Statement using the following process:
Mission Statement using the following process:

Discover your best self—who you want to be and what you want to do.
Uncover your values.
Organize your thoughts.
Write a draft of your Personal Mission Statement.
Review and evaluate your draft.
Commit to living your Personal Mission Statement.



Read and work through this book as you see fit. There is no single way to
complete it. You may choose to read it all at once or spend several days and
weeks reading, reflecting, and writing your thoughts. The only recommendation
is to find a quiet place where you can think without interruption. Enjoy your
adventure!






Life is short. So...


Live


Love

Learn


Leave a Legacy


What makes life worth living? What’s missing?


How do I know? How do I show? Love.


Where are the answers? What do I need to learn? Unlearn?


How will I be remembered? What do I dream of? What is my fire?


To Live. To Love. To Learn. To leave a Legacy.







Life is short ...


So?

We all have some vision of ourselves and our future. We all feel a desire
to leave a legacy. More than any other factor, vision affects the choices we
make and the way we spend our time.



One of the most powerful processes found to cultivate the passion of vision
is creating and integrating an empowering Personal Mission Statement.



If you’ve never attempted to write a Personal Mission Statement—or even
if you have, but you’d like a different perspective—this ebook will inspire you to
discover your Personal Mission Statement and develop a passion for living it.



Follow this ebook’s simple process:

Define what you want to be.

Determine what you want to do.

Answer who has been a role model for you.

Imagine your ideal self.

Describe yourself at your best.

Determine your values.

 Organize your thoughts.

Write your Personal Mission Statement.

Review and evaluate your mission statement.

Commit to living your Personal Mission Statement.

As you follow these steps, you will develop a passion for your vision and
Personal Mission Statement. You will find that your life has gained greater
purpose and direction.





Chapter 2

VISION

Our visions begin

with our desires.

— Audre Lorde




We all have some vision of ourselves and our future, and that vision
creates consequences. More than any other factor, vision affects the choices we
make and the way we spend our time.

When we talk about the “passion of vision,” we’re talking about a deep,
sustained energy that comes from our deepest self. It deals with an aeon concept
of time, from the Greek aion, meaning “an age or a lifetime.” It taps into the
deep core of who we are and what we are about. It’s fueled by the realization of
the unique contribution we have the capacity to make—the legacy we can leave.
It clarifies purpose, gives direction, and empowers us to perform beyond our
resources.

We call it “passion” because this vision can become a motivating force so
powerful it, in effect, becomes the DNA of our lives. It’s so ingrained and
integrated into every aspect of our being that it becomes the compelling impetus
behind every decision we make. It’s the fire within, the deep-burning “yes” that
empowers us to say “no”—peacefully and confidently—to the less important
things in our lives.

This passion can empower us to virtually transcend fear, doubt,
discouragement, and many other things that keep us from accomplishment and
contribution.

Envision your life first, then make it

real.

— Rachel Snyder






Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always
ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid
plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves
too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have
occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s
favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: Whatever you
can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.



– W.H. Murray, mountaineer and writer



Chapter 3

BE

Nothing can bring

you peace but yourself.

Nothing can bring you

peace but the triumph

of principles.


— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Define what you want to be To define what you want

to be, you need to define your character strengths and
personal qualities. By focusing on what you want to
be in these terms, you’ll have something worthy of
your effort.

Examples of Character and Quality The following are

examples of character and quality traits. These will
help you get started in defining what you want to be.
Notice that each one is written as though it has
already happened. That’s important. It helps you
focus on making the statement true in every way.

I am honest—measured by what I do, not just what I say.

I have integrity—the value I place on myself.

I work hard. Appreciation comes from what is earned.

Awaken your sense, your

intuition, your desires.

Awaken the parts of yourself that have

been sleeping.

Life is a dream, and to live it, you must

be awake.
 be awake.

— Rachel Snyder

Reflect on the following:

What are my character strengths?

What do I want these strengths to be?
 What do I want these strengths to be?

What are my best qualities?

What do I want my best qualities to be?

To live is so startling it leaves little time

for anything else.



— Emily Dickinson

Determine what you want to do What do you want to

accomplish or achieve? What contributions do you
want to make?




Determining those accomplishments and contributions will focus your
efforts in the direction you want to go. By combining your effort with what you
want to be, you will have something that’s worthy of your effort. One afternoon,
15-year-old John Goddard sat down at his kitchen table and wrote three words
on the top of a piece of paper: “My Life List.” Then he listed 127 things he
wanted to accomplish or contribute during his life. These were not simple or
easy goals. They included climbing the major mountains of the world, exploring
the world’s rivers, and reading the complete works of Aristotle.



Examples

• Explore these rivers: Nile, Amazon, Congo, Colorado, Yangtze,
Niger, Orinoco, and Coco.

• Carry out a career in medicine. Treat illness among primitive
tribes in countries visited.

At last count, John Goddard had checked 108 items off his list.

You don’t need to be a John Goddard, but what do you want to do?


Everybody wants to do

something to help, but

nobody wants to do it first.

— Pearl Bailey

Reflect on the following: If my resources were such

that I did not have to work for a living or I could do

anything I wanted, I would:

The reason I would do this is:

When I daydream, I sometimes see myself doing something great like:


People who know me well think I’m very good at:



Chapter 4

DO

Until I die, I’m going to keep doing.

My people need me.

They need somebody that’s not taking

from them and is giving them
something.

— Clara McBride Hale



Make a list of things you want to do.

Examples:

• Inspire others through music.

• Raise a wonderful and close contributing family.

• Love my work and help others through my work.

Chapter 5

MODEL

My mother was the one who

made me work, made me

believe that one day it would be

possible for me to walk without braces.

— Wilma Rudolph



Model your most influential person Noted for her
novels of life in China, Pearl S. Buck was the recipient
of the 1938 Nobel Prize in Literature. As a young girl,
she lived in China where her parents were
Presbyterian missionaries.

Buck received her early education in Shanghai and returned to teach at a
Chinese university after graduating from a Virginia women’s college in 1914.
Her articles and stories about Chinese life first appeared in U.S. magazines in
1923, but it was not until 1931 that she reached a wide audience with The Good
Earth. The unique story described the struggle of a Chinese peasant and his
slave-wife to gain land and position.

After World War II, in a move to aid illegitimate children of U.S.
servicemen in Asian countries, she instituted the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. She
donated more than $7 million of her personal earnings to this organization.
donated more than $7 million of her personal earnings to this organization.

Living to write, and having a life worth writing about, Pearl S. Buck
changed the way people viewed the world.

You can’t give people pride, but you

can provide the kind of understanding
that makes people look to their inner
strengths and find their

own sense of pride.

— Charleszetta Waddles



Reflect on the following:

The five most influential people in my life are:

From the above list, circle the name of the one person who has made the
strongest positive impact on your life.



What qualities do you admire most in that person?



Some of the things he or she accomplished are:

What would you like to incorporate?

Chapter 6

IDEAL DAY

We must wait until the evening to see

how splendid the day has been.

— Sophocles


Imagine your ideal day Think about the future.
Create in your mind an ideal day for yourself. When
will it happen? What will take place? Who will be
there? What will make that day so special?

Describe as much as you can about your ideal future day—the place, time,
and things you’ll be doing.

Chapter 7

MY BEST

He is in possession of his

life who is in possession

of his story.

— Carl Jung

Describe yourself at best

You are one of a kind! Of the billions of people in the world, there’s only
one you.

Some years ago, I met Tom at a seminar for university students. When I
asked him to introduce himself and tell a little about his goals, he indicated that
he was majoring in civil engineering. Later during the seminar, I asked him to
share with others what he would do if he had a month with no demands on his
time and unlimited funds.

His face lit up like a Christmas tree. “That’s easy!” he replied
enthusiastically. “I’d buy a table saw, a planer, and…oh, lots of other tools. I’d
set them up in my garage, get all the kids in the neighborhood together, and
we’d build things—tables, playhouses, furniture. It would be great!”


As I noticed his shining eyes, I couldn’t help but remember the apathy with
which he had announced his college major a few moments before.

“You really like to teach, don’t you?” I asked.

“I love it!” he said simply.

“And you enjoy working with tools?”

“Oh, you bet!”

“How are you enjoying your classes in civil engineering?”

“Oh, I don’t know. There’s good money in engineering…”

His voice dropped off.

“Tom,” I said, “did it ever occur to you that they pay people to teach kids
how to build things with tools?”



It was fascinating to watch his face. It was obvious that his decision to major in
civil engineering was not the result of a deep inner connection with his own
talents and a conscience-inspired sense of contribution. But when he touched
that connection, even briefly—when he suddenly saw the possibility of fulfilling
his own uniqueness—he became totally energized.



While Tom might have been an adequate civil engineer, it was easy to see he
would be a phenomenal woodshop instructor, and that his love for woodworking
and for young people would empower him to make a difference.



– Roger Merrill, coauthor of First Things First

Ten adjectives that describe me at my best are:

Imagine you won the lottery three years ago and you are receiving $10 million a
year for the rest of your life. You have already traveled the world, donated
millions to charity, paid off everyone’s debts, and bought new cars, a new home,
and all the electronic toys you could find.



Now what? Money is no object, and you’ve bought and done everything. What
legacy will you leave?

Chapter 8

WHAT IF?

Strong lives are motivated

by dynamic purposes.

— Kenneth Hildebrand



Create “What ifs”

This is an excellent activity to do either alone or with friends, family, or
coworkers.

Reflect on the following “what ifs”:



If I had an extraordinary “stand apart” talent, what would I like it to be?

If I could have one wish, what would it be?

If I could change one problem in the world, what would it be?

If I could help make someone’s life better, whom would I choose?

Create your own “what ifs” and discuss them with your friends, family, or
coworkers.



Chapter 9

MY VALUES

If a man knows not what harbor he

seeks, any wind is the right wind.

— Seneca

Reflections of who I am Review your answers to the

questions from the previous pages, then take a few
moments and write down your values.

Following is a list that might help stimulate your thinking:

• Peace of mind

• Security

• Work ethic

• Wealth


• Good health

• Free time

• Close relationships • Happiness

• Recognition or fame • Family

• Spiritual fulfillment • Friendships





Review your list and highlight your five most important values.

I was always looking outside myself for

strength and confidence but it comes
from within.

It is there all the time.

 It is there all the time.



— Anna Freud

Take a moment to reflect on all of your answers and write the essence of what
you have thought about—the legacy you want to leave.

Chapter 10

NEXT STEPS

A journey of a thousand

miles must begin with

a single step.

— Lao Tzu
 — Lao Tzu

The mission statements people have found to be most empowering seem to have
several characteristics in common. You may find the following list helpful to
you in writing your own mission statement.

An empowering mission statement:

• Represents the deepest and best within you, and comes out of a
solid connection with your deep inner life;

• Is the fulfillment of your own unique gifts and the expression of
your unique capacity to contribute;

• Is transcendent, based on principles of contribution and purpose
higher than self;

• Addresses and integrates all four fundamental human needs and
capacities: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual;

• Is based on principles that produce quality-of-life results;

• Deals with all the significant roles in your life representing a
lifetime balance of personal, family, work, community—whatever roles you
feel are yours to fill;

• Is written to inspire you—not to impress anyone else—on the
most essential level;

• Deals with both vision and principle-based values. It’s not
enough to have values without vision. You want to be good, but you want to
be good for something. An empowering mission statement deals with
character and competence; it deals with what you want to be and do in your
life.

On the following pages are examples of mission statements you may find
helpful when writing your own. There is no right or wrong way to write a
mission statement. The most important concept to keep in mind is that it must
resonate within you.



Chapter 11

EXAMPLES

The process of writing

any form of creativity is a

power-intensifying life.

— Rita Mae Brown

Mission statements take many forms. They may take form as poetry, art, or
even music. Most mission statements, however, are simple paragraphs that state
the principles and values by which one chooses to live.

MISSION STATEMENT

I want to use my healing talents to keep hope alive and express my vision
courageously in word and action.

In my family, I want to build health, loving relationships in which we let each
other become our best selves.

At work, I want to establish a fault-free, self-perpetuating, learning environment.

In the world, I want to nurture the development of all life forms, in harmony with
the laws of nature.



RESOLUTION

Let the first act of every morning be

to make the following resolve for the day:

I shall not fear anyone on earth.

I shall fear only God.

I shall not bear ill toward anyone.

I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.

I shall conquer untruth by truth.

And in resisting untruth I shall put up with all suffering.



Mahatma Gandhi

MISSION STATEMENT

For myself, I want to develop self-knowledge, self-love, and self-allowing. I
want to use my healing talents to keep hope alive and express my vision
courageously in word and action.

In my family, I want to build healthy, loving relationships in which we let each
other become our best selves.

At work, I want to establish a fault-free, self-perpetuating, learning environment.
In the world, I want to nurture the development of all life forms in harmony with
the laws of nature.

MISSION STATEMENT

To be humble.

To say thanks to God in some way, every day.

To never react to abuse by passing it on.

To find the self within that does and can look at all sides without loss.

I believe in treating all people with kindness and respect.

I believe by knowing what I value, I truly know what I want.

To be driven by values and beliefs.

I want to experience life’s passions with the newness of a child’s love, the
sweetness and joy of young love, and the respect and reverence of mature love.

Finally, to go through life with a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eye.



MISSION STATEMENT

To act in a manner that brings out the best in me and those important to me—
especially when it might be most justifiable to act otherwise.

DECALOGUE

1. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.

3. Never spend your money before you have it.

4. Never buy what you do not want because it is cheap; it will not be dear to
you.

5. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.

6. We have never repented of having eaten too little.

7. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievement of the
future.

8. Wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you
meet a smile.

9. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to
criticize others.

10. Be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too
10. Be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too
happy to permit troubles.



Thomas Jefferson

MISSION STATEMENT

To be reflected as authentic while living and remembered after mortality’s end…

I will be a man who…

EXTENDS himself wherever and whenever he can be loving, friendly, helpful,
sensitive, or influential; JUDGES himself firstly, and towards all others seeks to
see what is unique, good, and worthy of praise; CHALLENGES himself to
constant growing, through structured learning, creative sharing, teaching,
enlightened reading, refinement of intuitive and psychic gifts, and most
importantly—experiential living; PROTECTS himself from those people and
things—both real and imagined—that could destroy longevity, growth, health,
and happiness; CONDUCTS himself in ways that are honest and authentic with
his existence, beneficial to his loved ones, and respectful of God and Nature;
ENVISIONS himself as dynamic and capable, fair and unwavering, simple and
complex, powerful but meek; VALUES himself because of the Most Precious
Few he can shape, love and protect, The Several he can influence and instruct,

The Many he can lighten their load,

and the Countless he can serve by example;

HUMBLES himself by acknowledging the graceful intervention of a Supreme
Being, by listening to his conscience, defining his weaknesses, honing his
shortcomings, and aspiring to be at peace with God and his fellow humans; to
be firm in his beliefs, and aware of true recreation.

MISSION STATEMENT

Ultimately, people are all we have. I lift people through unconditional love.

Whether of God or man, I respect and effectively manage physical creation.
Proper use of things lets me focus on people.

My spirit is eternal. By nurturing body, mind, heart, and soul, I can best nurture
others.

When I’m gone, I hope others say, “He loved me enough that I too could love.”

WORK MISSION STATEMENT

Provide uncompromising, personalized service to internal or external customers.

If I receive a problem from a customer, I own the problem until resolved or
properly communicated to someone who can solve the problem.

I will:

“Escort” customers, not “point,” whether in person or on the phone; Park so
that customers won’t have to walk farther than I do; Strive to enhance the lives
of those around me; Look for opportunities to make deposits into the Emotional
Bank Account of all associates; Increase my performance capability through
practicing the principles we teach; Sharpen my saw through professional
development; Manage as I would wish to be managed.

MISSION STATEMENT

My mission is to give, for giving is what I do best and I can learn to do better.

I will seek to learn, for learning is the basis of growth, and growing is the key to
living.

I will seek first to understand, for understanding is the key to finding value, and
value is the basis for respect, decisions, and action. This should be my first act
with my wife, my family, and my business.

I want to help influence the future development of people and organizations. I
want to teach my children and others to love and laugh, to learn and grow
beyond their current bounds.

I will build personal, business, and civic relationships by giving, in frequent
little ways.





Laurie Beth Jones







Chapter 12

GO FOR IT

We are the painter, the paint and the

painting.

— Noah benShea




BRAINSTORM YOUR PERSONAL MISSION
STATEMENT

Review your thoughts from previous pages. Then,

take a few moments and quickly brainstorm what you
want your mission statement to say.

Making Brainstorming Work Think of this as a
kind of computer download. It’s putting down on
paper the contents of the best “computer” in the
world: your mind.



Free-Write

List everything that comes to mind as fast as you can
—key words, not sentences. Don’t edit what you write.
Anything goes.

Work continually for about five minutes or until you
run out of steam.

Creation is a better means of self-

expression than possession; it is through
creating, not possessing, that life is
 creating, not possessing, that life is
revealed.



— Vida Scudder

Chapter 13

ORGANIZE

Every man has only enough strength to

complete those assignments that he is
fully convinced are important.

— Goethe





Organize your Personal Mission Statement Most

likely the information in your brainstorming list and
free-write activities are pretty scattered. Organize
your thoughts, use whatever methods are most helpful
to you—a mind map, an outline, pictures, etc.

Chapter 14

MY MISSION

A “no” uttered from the

deepest conviction is

better than a “yes” merely uttered to

please, or what is worse, to avoid
trouble.

— Mahatma Gandhi
 — Mahatma Gandhi

Discover your Personal Mission Statement Next write

your Personal Mission Statement. Commit yourself to
making your mission statement a part of your life.
Enjoy yourself—you’re creating your future.

Nothing contributes so much to

tranquilizing the mind as a steady
purpose—a point on which the soul may
fix its intellectual eye.

— Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Chapter 15

REVIEW AND EVALUATE

Character cannot be

developed in ease and quiet.

Only through experience of trial and

suffering can the soul be strengthened,
vision cleared, ambition inspired, and
success achieved.



— Helen Keller

Review and Evaluate

Keep your Personal Mission Statement up to date. Review and evaluate it
regularly.

Keep your mission statement in a place you access frequently. If you carry a
planner, this is an ideal place.



At the beginning of each week, review your mission statement. Plan
specific activities that will bring you closer to your purpose. Evaluate
those activities that are in harmony with your inner values and
principles.
 As changes and opportunities arise in your life, take time to compare
each one with your mission statement.
Your mission statement is not static, and you may want to take time to
refine and polish it.



As you review your Personal Mission Statement, keep the following
questions in mind:

Does my mission statement reflect the best possible “me”? If not, I’ll
make these changes.

Am I challenged and motivated when I read my mission statement? If
not, I’ll make these changes.

Here is a test to find whether your

mission on earth is

finished: If you’re alive, it isn’t.

— Richard Bach


Life is short ... So?

Chapter 16

RECOMMENDED READINGS

If you enjoyed this booklet, you may also enjoy the

following selections:

Alborn, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old

Man, a Young Man, and the Last Great Lesson. New
York: Doubleday, 1997
benShea, Noah. Jacob the Baker: Gentle
Wisdom for a Complicated World. New York:
Ballantine Books, 1990.
Covey, Stephen R. Living the 7 Habits. New
York: Simon & Schuster, 1999.
Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People. New York: Simon & Schuster,
1989.
Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly
Effective Families. New York: Golden Books, 1997.
Covey Stephen R., A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca
R. Merrill. First Things First. New York: Simon &
Schuster, 1994.
Easwaran, Eknath, trans. The Bhagavad Gita.
Tomales, Calif: Nilgiri Press, 1985.
Edelman, Marian Wright. The Measure of Our
Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours. New
York: Harper Collins, 1992
Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search for Meaning.
New York: Pocket Books, 1959.
Franklin, Benjamin. The Art of Virtue. Waverly,
New York: Acorn, 1986.
Gardner, Howard E. Creating Minds. New
York: Basic Books, 1993.
Jones, Laurie Beth. The Path: Creating Your
Mission Statement for Work and for Life. New York:
Hyperion, 1996.
Lao-tzu. Tao Te Ching. London: Penguin, 1963.
Thakar, Vimala. The Eloquence of Living. San
Rafael, Calif.: New World Library, 1989.
Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. Boston:
Shambhala, 1992.
Walker, Alice. Anything We Love Can Be Saved.
New York: Random House, 1997.
Wheatley, Margaret J. and Myron Kellner-
Rogers. A Simpler Way. San Francisco: Berrett-
Koehler, 1996.


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