Why Have A Family Mission Statement…

When I first thought about my mission as a parent I could barely see past what I was gonna make for breakfast, much less what I hoped to accomplish 5 to 10 to 15 years down the road. My head felt like it was spinning off most days. I wrote a poem back then that sort of encapsulated a typical day for this single dad. Ill share the first part of it now and perhaps I’ll close with the rest…

Another school year is at its end.

In three short months a new one will begin.

Homework before bed and new books read

Flash cards and spelling words and proper vowel sounds said.

Each night they've a brought new question and many requests.

"Dad sign here" and "read this" and "look at this test".

"We have a fundraiser Dad. Can you help fill up this form?".

My class needs more boxtops. They’re due in the morn.".

I'd pull out my hair as I sifted through their requests.

Then I'd resolve to just do my best.

That’s what I tried to do. “My best”. But my best was without vision or purpose. It was merely one moment after another moment fulfilling their requests and getting them where they needed to go and replying to teachers and doing laundry etc…etc…etc…. It was exhausting. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of it. But often times I felt as though I was just a slave to the next thing. I needed an anchor. I needed a vision for myself as well as for my kiddos. I needed us to work as a team to achieve a greater longer-term vision that just the daily grind.

So I began to think from a different perspective.

“What if I ran my business the way I run my family?”

I’d be broke. If I ran my business attending merely to every whim and need I felt needed addressed the moment it arises, I’d be out of business quickly. Granted I wasn’t doing anything wrong as a dad. In fact I was doing a lot right. But it lacked vision and purpose.

I wanted to be able to see out into the future and identify that that which I had chosen to engage in with my kiddos was in line with that which we were aiming for as a family. Just like CEOs do for their employees, coaches do for their teams and leaders do for those they were charged to lead.

CEOs and other leaders who lead organizations to long-term sustained success always begin with the end in mind. They begin with a founding set of documents. Generally a business plan that is driven by a mission statement and often a core values statement. I’ll cover Core Value Statements for families another time.

Family is a Miniature Team

Parents are the CEOs of their families. If parents want to achieve a specific result with their families they should begin with the end in mind. Parents should think like CEOs or at very least, think like leaders of a team. Team leaders always have a game-plan. They don’t just go out and practice. They practice to win. What does your “win” look like? When you figure that out, write it down and review it often. Share it with your family and keep it visible in your home. It is a great reference tool and an even better accountability tool for all in the family. That has been my experience and I’ve been told it is worth sharing.

if you would like to create your own Mission Statement but aren't sure where to begin, it would be my pleasure to help you. Just reach out to me. It doesn't have to be complicated. And it certainly doesn't have to be perfect the first time. And frankly, at times I have found that the process is every bit as valuable as getting a finished product.

and by the way, here’s the rest of my poem… It was called School Is Out!

"Ten minutes" I'd shout as I gathered supplies.

Then a frantic search for one last hair tie.

We'd load in the truck and buckle up tight

A left turn another and then a right.

Most mornings they'd be ready with completed list

But once in a while there'd be something they missed.

The drive to school would entail the same.

Chuck Swindoll on the radio and me calling out their names.

“Lizzy? Your Jungle organizer? Check. Your backpack check. Your hair done just right?”

Nearly all of the above completed the previous night.

“Noah? Your Agenda? Your backpack, did you pack your homework?”

And all too often he would give me that look.

Then with a sigh, he would begin to cry

Then came my assurance that it would be alright.

~Dad~

Give Parenting “Your Best”. Begin with your Family Mission Statement and establish that which is most important to you in your most important role in life...the leader of your family.

~Ben~