November 14th, 2008 @ 8:43 am by: Marc
Your Life’s Story Told in One Sentence
Constraints make us focus. They force us to zero-in on a specific purpose. The less material we have to work with, the more resourceful we must be. Can you sum up your entire outlook on life in one sentence? Do you have a personal motto you live your life by? How about a maxim that perfectly summarizes your thoughts and beliefs, the very principles and values you uphold and apply on a daily basis?
‘You’ in a Few Words
This is your inner dictum, the adage with which you conduct yourself. Maybe you unconsciously put it together when you were young by watching a childhood hero, or perhaps you were inspired by someone you knew who struggled and succeeded against all odds.
Whether you call it a slogan, a motto, or a mission sentence, the idea is to use the advantage of constraints to capture ‘you’ and all that you stand for in as few words as possible.
What’s the point?
To construct a single sentence that embraces your aspirations, values, passions, and purpose. All these points motivate us. They shape who we are, the way we live, the choices we make, and the paths we follow. They are extremely important to know because they impact our lives whether we are aware of them or not. You have already been living according to your mission sentence even if you didn’t realize it. You just haven’t consciously defined it yet.
Bear in mind, a mission sentence is worthless if it isn’t true to ‘you’. It should represent something you are, not something you aren’t, never have been, or never will be.
A Powerful Tool
When you define your mission sentence, you craft a powerful tool for yourself. You create an abbreviation of all your goals, values, and passions… a guiding symbol of your life’s story. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a phrase others will understand. It’s not for them or for promotional purposes. It’s for you.
Remember, words are not actually the things they represent. You cannot eat the word “delicious,” “Delicious” is a just word that represents the sweet greatness of a tasty treat.
That’s what your mission sentence is all about, a clear representation of the greatness that is you.
Look inside yourself. What’s your mission sentence?
As for me, I’ve lived by the same one for the last decade: “Trying is my business.”
Photo by: Mark78
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42 Comments
November 14th, 2008 at 10:25 am
As for me, here is the one I have above my monitor: “When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.”
November 14th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Great, provocative post here. Given that I’m wordy, it’s especially a challenge. Here’s a start:
“I help people spread value throughout the world in their own unique way.”
November 14th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share our ‘mission sentences’. Here’s mine:
Pursuing the presence of passion with persistence and promoting peace and prosperity to people who need it.
Eric.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I love this post. I work with people to connect with their passion and purpose to PROMOTE themselves and your approach helps with centering oneself.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Face the future, but live for the moment.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Oh my goodness, this is a hard one! Let me give it some thought and I’ll be back. Thanks for the challenge! G.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
One word: “Attitude”
One sentence: “Life is a matter of attitude - so have a good one!”
November 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
How about “See my blog for more info!”
You could even include the URL.
November 14th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Most people that I meet have never thought to define themselves. But what works so well in business also works in your personal life.
Developing an evolving statement of self-definition forces you to consider who you are; your value; your mission in life. And keeping it pared down to one sentence ensures that you understand your essential self, and that you are committed to your own personal evolution.
What a great article; and you kept it brief, in keeping with the concept
John
November 14th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
@All: Thanks for sharing your ideas and mission sentences. I love reading them.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Love this post! So simple and thought provoking. A mission sentence is now something I will have on hand more often.
Now heading off to craft my own..stumbled!
November 14th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Treat yesterday, today, and tomorrow, all with equal affection.
November 14th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
To Inspire People To Greatness
November 14th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Nice article. Thanks for posting!
November 15th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I am a coach and react to the word try since it is an open door statement. Jedi Master Yoda said “Do, or do not. There is no ‘try.’”
My mission statement is “I am making the world a better place”.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:02 am
[…] for ExcellenceYour Life’s Story Told in One SentenceEnduring The Road To Success: The First […]
November 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Be present, be alive, be in the moment.
These are all great to read - and reflect upon - awesome stuff!
November 15th, 2008 at 10:16 am
[…] came across Your Life’s Story Told in One Sentence over at Marc and Angel Hack Life. It is a very interesting and useful post that starts like this: […]
November 15th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I love the idea of a personal mission sentence and how it helps us align our actions with who we are and strive to be. As for mine, I keep it to myself because it needs explanation - not to me, I get it, but when I’ve mentioned it to a few friends, they look at me with a puzzled ‘whaaat?’ expression on their faces. That’s OK. It works for me and that’s what matters.
Thanks for the post; it’s a good one!
November 15th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
To spend the greatest amount of time absorbed in activities that fill me up and impact the greater community, surrounded by people I cannot get enough of.
November 15th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Listen: prepare for what you hope for.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:08 am
I really enjoyed this post. Currently, my mission sentence is: “It’s worth it.”
November 16th, 2008 at 8:52 am
thought provoking article…
November 16th, 2008 at 10:00 am
“Be the first” Be the first to smile to someone, be the first to say hi, be the first to help, be the first to share………..
November 16th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Interesting post here. For me it would be, “How are you better than the you of yesterday.”
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
November 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Marc, for me it is: Turning limitation into advantages. Some people thinks that it’s an excuse for limitation, but I look at it that whatever limitation I have I still can smile, and there is something good that I can do, wherever I’m right now! That’s why I created reason-4-smile!
Robert
November 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I sum my life in two sentences:
My vision: “Look Beyond”
My mission: “Enrich the lives of others”
November 16th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
@All: Some of your mission sentences are quite profound.
Really… Keep them coming.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I live as long as I learn.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:40 am
“Have fun, make meaning, grow value, live large, think different.”
November 17th, 2008 at 6:35 am
my sentences are as follow:
“Nothing is impossible”
and
“It is never too late”
November 17th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I’ve always loved the idea of creating a frozen moment in time with a set of words that is the complete embodiment of a given thought or feeling.
My first epiphany that hit me when I was about 11 came from a VW commercial…
I’m glad to say it still represents my existence today: “Smile.”
November 17th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I just noticed Bengt’s moto, which is one I’ve always liked as well. “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try”
Other favorites of mine:
“Do it.” Which trumps inhibitions and hesitation.
“I am.” Which, to me, offers an infinite amount of appreciation.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:55 am
Marc
I think it’s really important when constructing your statement to make it very specific to you. My statement is “The be the shepherd for mankind to stand fully in their own light and bring Soul Purpose effectively to the marketplace.” When I look at it every day it empowers me to go out and live that. It’s also a very spiritual conversation for me as well.
Great article. Defining your life’s meaning carries a lot of power in it and can completely transform your life!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
What a great concept. My personal mission sentence: Love, protect my family, create something that helps others, and have fun!
–Jacque
http://www.101smackdowns.com
November 19th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Now get up!
One more round!
November 19th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Communicate messages of higher truth.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I have a voice and I will use it.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I’ve always clung to …
‘If you only look at what is, you will never see what can be!’
November 29th, 2008 at 1:35 am
I have been following this line from the Dalai Lama for as long as i can remember;
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
January 14th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Although it is in the form of a question my mission statement is this: Am I a person I would like to meet?
August 6th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
“Your Life’s story told in one sentence…”
“A hundred years from now, nobody will remember anything I made, anything I said, anything I wrote, or whose lives I touched and made better…….”
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