Ep# 081: Crafting Your Vision + Mission Statements

We all want nothing more than to have people jump on board with our mission, right?

And it’s tough when we see other people out there in business with what seems like hoards of people cheering them on and celebrating their wins and whipping out their credit cards ready to buy whatever they bring to market.

But here’s the thing...

They had to have some serious clarity to create that kind of movement.

And for people to follow you, you need to know where you’re going.

In this episode I’m breaking down the science behind crafting both your vision and mission statements so you can feel confident in what you’re here to do, ready to shout it from the rooftops so other people can get on board with it, too!

By the end of today’s episode, you’ll know how to create your own solid statements. Make sure you download today’s fromie, my Vision + Mission Statement worksheet, to help you walk through the exercise. Take a screenshot of your completed worksheet and tag me on instagram @elizhartke with the hashtag #imscalingup!

What’s the difference between a vision and a mission?

The vision statement sets up the expectations for your vision and company. The mission statement outlines how you’ll continue to make good on that promise. These two should live in harmony, but they’re not necessarily the same statement.

Start by brainstorming the answers to these questions:

What does your brand stand for?
What are some of your core values?
What change do you want to see in the world through your brand?
What do we (as people) stand to lose by not accomplishing this change?
Who will help you achieve your mission? A team, a community, just you, your family, the vendors you work with?

Crafting Your Vision Statement

Where are we going? What do you want to achieve outside of just business metrics?

This could be anything from righting an injustice in the world to solving a simple problem that you see in everyday life.

A simple checklist to help you craft an effective mission statement that can grow with your business:

Is it futuristic? Think ahead 3-5+ years.
Is it directional? It’s not about what you have already achieved as a company, it’s about what you are evolving into.
Is it big and audacious?! This should be a push for you, not something that will happen naturally with time.
Is it descriptive? Remember: Clarity is King in marketing

Download the worksheet to read through some of our favorite Vision Statement examples! Many of them will be simpler than you think!

Crafting Your Mission Statement

Why does your business exist? The purpose of your mission statement is to declare the purpose of your business. How are you going to get there? This statement should be very action-oriented. Think of your mission statement as the game plan that will breathe life into your vision statement.

Your mission statement can be broken down into these three parts:

What do you do?
For whom?
Why?

Download the worksheet to read through some of our favorite Mission Statement examples! But keep in mind that your statement needs to be original and true to you and your brand.

Once you do the work and get these two statements down on paper, you can decide how they live. Do you want them to be two separate statements? Perfect. Would you rather blend them into one statement? Go for it! This exercise is just to help you get clarity on the two separate ideas, but ultimately it’s your choice how to utilize them in your messaging and marketing.