1 Stop Bead Shop Vision and Mission

As a follow-up to my January 4, 2012 Blog article on Goal Setting, I got some feedback from a couple of you that the ideas I shared had value to you, so it occurred to me that you might enjoy it if I shared occassional insights I have received from working with my business coach - Rick Crossland. Currently we are preparing for a team function and Rick asked me to take a look at my Mission and Vision statements for 1 Stop Bead Shop to see if there was anything I wanted to improve or change. Here is what I learned that you might be able to apply to your own life:

I found 3 different helpful definitions for the difference between a Vision statement and a Mission Statement - all of which have valuable nuances: 1) My Vision is WHO I am. My Mission is WHAT I do. 2) Our Vision is WHY we exist. Our Mission is WHERE we are going. 3) A Mission statement focuses on your present state. A Vision statement focuses on your future.

So, why would you care? When Franklin Covey teaches goal setting, they don't have you START with goals - they have you start with your vision & mission in life - the REASONS why you set the goals in the first place. While the idea of answering the question, "WHO am I, and WHY am I here" sounds duanting at first, Franklin Covey breaks it down into managable steps:
1) Start with your titles - the hats you wear. For instance, I am a mother, a wife, a Christian, a business owner, etc.
2) Define those titles - what do they mean to you? For instance, cooking is not where I find my value as a mother. However, Marie on "Everybody Loves Raymond" (Rays mom) completely defines her value as a mother in how she nutures her flock w/ her wonderful cooking.

Those 2 steps answer the "WHO am I?" question. Finding your Mission can be more challenging, and for those who truly seek to answer it, can become the most worthwhile pursuit of their lives - "WHAT am I here for? WHAT is my purpose? WHAT will be my legacy? WHAT do I wish to leave behind when I am no longer here?"

For some, like my mother, they know the answer early. She knew by the 1st grade that she was going to be a teacher and change the lives of young people. She did it formally in the public school system for over 30 years and has continued to do that in her local church. For others the journey of discovery can take years.

What I discovered in reviewing 1 Stop Bead Shop's Vision & Mission was that they were really rolled up in one. I broke them apart, and added some value words and here's what I came up with:

Our Vision: 1 Stop Bead Shop is the recognized leader in our community as the go-to source for all aspects of jewelry making. We are passionate about creating a rewarding customer experience that stimulates creativity and provides opportunities for growth & community.

Our Mission: At 1 Stop Bead Shop we provide our shoppers with superior customer service, the broadest product selection, and the most innovative classes embracing the beginner to advanced student in an upbeat, friendly community environment that feeds the individual and promotes the art and craft of jewelry making.

At my 1 Stop Bead Shop Blog, I love your feedback, which is why our comments section is open to all. I would sincerely value your feedback on our Vision & Mission statements:
Do we live up to them?
Are there other things you value about 1 Stop Bead Shop that are not encapsulated in our vision or mission?

I would also love to hear from any of you who take my challenge to create your personal Vision & Mission statement - What is your personal Vision & Mission statement? And, what did you discover while working on it?

Here's to sharing our lives & growing together.

(Click on picture to enlarge.)