Big changes this month as VMware announced Pat Gelsinger will become our new CEO starting in September. He is a living legend in the technology sector and highly respected in the Christian community.
In his book, The Juggling Act, Pat challenges the reader to craft a personal mission statement.
“You need to think deeply about who you are, who you want to be, and what you want to accomplish with your life. It isn’t something you just jot down on a napkin over lunch. I struggled to finish mine for over a year.”
Pat encourages the reader to develop a personal statement that focuses not who you are today or what you have done already – but who you aspire to become. The personal statement needs to last at least ten years yet be a living document open to change, especially once a goal has been obtained.
After contemplating throughout my first week of paternity leave, here is my personal mission statement:
MISSION
To be an effective husband, father, and friend in sharing the love of God and advancing His Kingdom.
CORE VALUES
- Openness
- Honesty
- Generosity
- Passion to improving the lives of those around me
The first three values can be summarized by 2 Corinthians 9:11.
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
The fourth value is explained in 1 Thessalonians 5:14:
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
GOALS
Marriage: to lead my wife in a Godly relationship so she may live her life to her fullest and be reminded she is always cherished.
- Plan at least 2 date nights per month
- Pray daily together before going to sleep
- Provide a massage at least once a week
Family: to inspire and guide my children to pursue Godly endeavors and change the world.
- Spend at least 1 quality hour with them on a daily basis
- Pray over each child before going to sleep
- Cause a big smile each day to let them know I love them
Novel: to pierce the minds and hearts of readers with entertainment, wonder and hope.
- Write at least 500 words per week
- Finish the first draft by the end of 2012 (even if it’s ugly)
- Do not play any Xbox video games until the first draft is complete.
Career: to add remarkable value to those I work with so that I may gain more experience, skills and wisdom.
- Innovate and improve workflows and communication processes
- Always give more than what I take, recognize and appreciate others’ contributions
- Have fun
Advancing His Kingdom: to encourage and model His love to others.
- Memorize a meaningful bible verse each month
- Constantly learn and gain understanding why people reject Christianity so that I can be more relatable and approachable
- Majority of social interactions should be with those who do NOT consider themselves Christian
The third bullet point may seem odd to some but I gained this wisdom from Francis Chan:
Christians are like manure: spread them out and they help everything grow better, but keep them in one big pile and they stink horribly.
In the end, everything I do, I do it for the glory of someone I believe in (1 Corinthians 10:31).
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Obviously, this is a very personal statement. Something I do not expect anyone else to follow.
But seriously, write a personal mission statement for yourself. People who do great things don’t always do them by accident. In fact, accomplishments are often strategically planned, invested in and deliberately executed. Don’t live randomly day by day but use every resource to make your dream goals a reality.