A mission statement is a written statement of purpose that can be used to initiate, evaluate, and refine all life activities. It serves as a road map, guiding you to successful life and career decisions and your interaction with others.

In The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life, author Laurie Beth Jones gives three simple elements to a good mission statement: (1) A mission statement should be no more than a single sentence long, (2) It can be easily understood by a 12-year-old, and (3) It can be recited by memory even under stress. Additionally, a good mission statement is inspiring, exciting, clear, true, and engaging.

After you have developed your mission statement, write it down and commit it to memory. Recite it daily. Share it with your friends and loved ones. You will find that decision-making becomes much easier, especially in the area of your career. Perhaps you must decide whether to stay with your current job or move on. Such a decision has the potential to cause hours of agonizing thinking, but with your clear statement of purpose, you will avoid needless suffering. You will feel empowered and your self-esteem will soar once you know who you are and where you’re going. Additionally, ways to achieve your goals become crystal clear as you begin to chart your course.

Your mission statement is uniquely yours, and is an integral part of the dream you have for yourself. Don’t short-change yourself on this activity – the statement will serve as a powerful guide to a successful and gratifying future.