Guided by a Compass or Clock

There's a gap between the compass and the clock - between what is deeply important to us and the way we spend our time. - Stephen Covey

It's a simple analogy, but very powerful: compass and clock. A compass will help us find truth north and in so doing, keep us focused on what is truly important. A clock simply measures passing moments. It doesn't direct us to the future or evaluate our past. It simple measures.

A compass is the real direction finder. What is our compass? It can be discovered and articulated in a Personal Mission Statement.

Buying Into a Personal Mission Statement

Over the years I've watched employees at all levels react to the company's Mission Statement. It's no secret that buying into a Mission Statement depends on the employees level of commitment to the company. Why aren't Mission Statements taken seriously?

In his book, First Things First, Stephen Covey points out that mission statements are often not taken seriously in organizations because they are developed by top executives, and there’s no buy-in at the lower levels.

What about Personal Mission Statements? The level of buy-in ramps it up exponentially. It offers individuals the opportunity to establish what is truly important and then to subsequently align their life according to it.

Covey refers to crafting a mission statement as "connecting with your own unique purpose and the profound satisfaction that comes in fulfilling it."