SNHU 107
Module Eleven- Discussion
Southern New Hampshire University
Personal mission statements help to keep me focused on what I am trying to achieve. It is easy
to become distracted or turn my focus in a new direction that does not support my long-term
goal. I’ve found it helpful to create goals that are measurable and achievable, not necessarily in
full S.M.A.R.T. format, but close enough that I can check in with my progress.
Creating goals that support achieving a long-term mission is important. Without goals, it is like
having a destination in a new geography you are trying to reach on a road trip, but you don’t
have a map. You may get there, but it might take longer than it needed to, or you may run out
of gas.
A personal example of creating a mission statement with supporting goals was when my family
decided to move from one state to another. Once we aligned on the mission, we set some
milestones that were important to ensure we completed the mission ahead of a school year
start for our son. Then we crafted the goals we would need to accomplish that would maximize
our home’s value on the sales side, ensure we found the right new home and would allow this
activity to have as little disruption to our day to day lives as possible. My husband and I
checked in our goals each week to ensure we did not lose focus on the roadmap that would get
us to our new location.
For this academic journey, I find that the long-term mission is easier to define as the journey
leads to a successful obtainment of a degree. The short-term goals then will focus on keeping
me on track to continue the journey and excel in my classes. I look forward to building this out
and holding myself accountable.
Respons
I appreciate your thoughtful reflection on the importance of personal mission statements and the
role they play in maintaining focus. Your analogy of having a destination without a map
emphasizes the significance of setting measurable and achievable goals to guide you on your
journey.
Your personal example of moving to a new state and aligning on a mission with your family
showcases the practical application of this approach. The way you set milestones and crafted
specific goals to streamline the process reflects a strategic and well-thought-out approach.
It's great that you recognize the relevance of this concept in your academic journey as well.
Defining a long-term mission for obtaining your degree and setting short-term goals to excel in
your classes demonstrates a proactive mindset. Regular check-ins to ensure you stay on track
further highlight your commitment to the roadmap leading to your academic success.
I think I will commend you on this topic but I have one argument I would like to put up here.
While personal mission statements and goals can be beneficial, some argue that rigid goal-setting
may lead to stress or disappointment if not achieved. The pressure of constantly measuring
progress might overshadow the joy of the learning journey itself. Striking a balance between
structure and flexibility could be crucial to prevent undue stress in the pursuit of academic and
personal objectives. Don’t you think that as well?
