Vision statements and mission statements are similar but distinct from one another.
This is why. Mission statements focus on the here and now. Vision statements focus on the future.
I’ll explain.
Mission Statement
Your organization’s current actions have meaning because of your mission statements. They focus on the here and now.
Your actions today as you strive toward the objectives you have set for your organization have context thanks to your mission statements.
Let’s use my business, Awesome Motive, as an illustration. Our organization’s mission is:
to enable others to achieve success.
It is brief, uncomplicated, and unforgettable. It has a lot of power as well. It forces individuals in our firm to reflect on the following question: How can I enable someone to achieve today?
A unified strategic emphasis is established throughout your organization through mission statements. They provide direction for choices and establish constructive frames for the behaviors you want to see.
Vision Statement
On the other side, vision statements offer your organization’s future actions purpose. They are focused on the future.
Vision statements outline the position that your organization wants to occupy in the future.
The answer to the equation x + y = z is a vision statement. Your mission statement is x, your activities are y, and the ultimate fulfillment is z, which results in the accomplishment of your vision statement.
We can take a look at the mission statement for OptinMonster, one of my businesses.
generating more than 1 billion leads annually for contented clients.
It’s a clear goal with a desired outcome, and even though it hasn’t been achieved yet, it paints a clear image of the company’s future.
Because they provide a broad perspective of the daily modest acts, vision statements are crucial.
Identifying Differences
A mission statement and a vision statement differ significantly, as you can see from the examples above.
Mission statements focus on the here and now. Vision statements focus on the future.
It’s okay if you lack either of them. To discover how to write a mission statement that motivates employees, start at the beginning of this course.
If you have either one or both, carefully read them both and consider the following:
- My purpose and vision statements—are there any obvious differences between them?
- Is my mission statement geared toward the present?
- Is my mission statement a vision for the future?
- Are they both brief, straightforward, and memorable?
I urge you to set aside some time and thoughtfully explore how you can turn any of the aforementioned questions that you responded negatively into a resounding “YES” if you did.
Your organization’s success now and in the future depends on it.
Then what?
You are now prepared to create a compelling mission statement on your own. You understand what it takes to write an inspiring mission statement, what a mission statement actually is, and how a mission statement differs from a vision statement.
We have completed half of our Mission 101 series. Do you have what it takes to advance your business?
You’ll act firmly for the benefit of your company in the remaining pieces in the series:
