Each personal vision statement will vary depending on the goals, values, and priorities of the individual writing it. Here are several components to consider including in your personal vision statement:

• Short- and long-term goals: Your personal vision statement should include both short- and long-term professional goals Links to an external site.. For example, a short-term professional goal could be to find a career that aligns with your passion, while a long-term professional goal could be to own a company that aligns with that same passion.
• Principles and values you want to stand for: When working towards your goals, you’ll want to be clear on the principles and values you wish to uphold. For example, if honesty and integrity are values you want to stand for, you likely won’t cheat your way to the top of your organization. Keeping these in mind when working towards goals will ensure you’re on the right path and make the right decisions that most correlate with your values and principles.
• The difference you want to make: Do you want to contribute to a certain area in your life? Maybe you want to contribute to your community or your organization. This should be included in your personal vision statement.
• Your passions: Your personal vision statement should also include or at least reference what you are most passionate about. For example, maybe your long-term career goal is to become a veterinarian because you are passionate about the welfare of animals. Including your passion will help keep you motivated.

The following are steps you can follow when crafting your personal vision statement:

1. Determine your top strengths. Identifying your strengths and assessing how they can help you achieve your goals is an important step in the process of writing a personal vision statement. List out your skills and then narrow them down to the strengths that are most relevant and useful to your career goals. Use these strengths as stepping stones to making improvements in your professional life.
2. Write down your values. Make sure your values align with your career goals. If they counter each other, you may want to re-evaluate your career aspirations.
3. Choose the career you want to pursue. Getting specific about the career you want to pursue is important and will allow you to create actionable steps you can take to get there.
4. Write your personal mission statement. Using the above information, compose a 40- to 60-word mission statement that encompasses your goals, values, and skills. The first sentence should include the career you want to pursue and the specific job title. The second sentence should include your reasoning for wanting to go after this career. For example, you may want to pursue a career to follow your passion.

Once you’ve crafted a mission statement, it’s now time to put it to good use. Here are a few ways to use your personal vision statement:

1. Read it every day. Keep your personal vision statement somewhere close by where you can see it regularly. You could write it on a small piece of paper and carry it in your purse or wallet, or tape it to your computer so it’s within your sight daily.
2. Use it when making decisions. If you’re searching for a new job or making another important career decision, you can use your personal vision statement as a reference to ensure you’re taking the steps to get where you ultimately want to be.
3. Tell someone else about your personal vision. Consider telling a close friend or relative about your personal vision. This will help hold you accountable for following through on it.

The following are a few personal vision statement examples to guide you:

• I want to work with young children and young adults as a mental health counselor. My strong passion for raising awareness around mental health and wellness and my commitment to helping those who are struggling have inspired me to pursue this career.
• My career goal is to become a physical trainer. I am committed to my own personal health and am motivated to help others achieve optimal health and wellbeing.
• My ultimate career goal is to be a physician working in a poverty-stricken area of the country. I’ve always wanted to help others who are less fortunate and am passionate about health and wellness.

------------------

From GRIT, The Power of Passion and Perseverance

You should have read chapter 8 this week which is all about PURPOSE.

Remember that passions starts with a "spark. And that's the very beginning of purpose. That spark is something you're interested in. 

So, if any of this sounds good to you, feel free to use it to find your purpose. If not, then perhaps this will help: