Customer Reviews

The PATH CREATING YOUR MISSION STATEMENT FOR WORK AND FOR LIFE

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Henry Kissinger once said, "If you don't know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere." In this book, author Laurie Beth Jones takes that theme and runs with it, explaining both the importance and the process of defining and fulfilling one's own mission statement. She weaves a spiritual perspective throughout the book. In the first half, she describes how to find--and more importantly--how to fulfill, a personal mission statement. In the second half of the book, she provides case studies that focus on Biblical characters and their personal missions. Each chapter ends with a series of questions or exercises that stimulate further thought and help the reader work through the concepts and ideas presented.

Much of what Jones wrote appealed to the self-help junkie in me, and I found myself reaching for my highlighter so I could mark quotes and thoughts to remember and reread. "If your mission holds no personal passion, it is not your path." I kept underlining things and having a strong impulse to write "wow" in the margin next to these thought-provoking concepts. "Every word we speak, every action we take, has an effect on the totality of humanity. No one can escape that privilege--or that responsibility," she wrote. "One of the most important things we can do for others--and for ourselves--is to create and maintain an atmosphere charged with positive prophecies." That one got posted on my office wall.

But the book offers much more than just a thought-provoking collection of inspirational quotes. Jones defines the elements of a good mission statement, dispels eleven false assumptions about missions, explains how to form a sense of mission, explores how personality affects personal mission, and explains how to craft a personal vision statement. The book is a fantastic resource and a valuable experience in self awareness and defining self-purpose.

The Path was an easy read with fairly short chapters that could easily be digested in between daily tasks, while waiting at your child's baseball practice, or taking a short break at work. I'd highly recommend reading it, if for no other reason than the value you'll get from examining your own life's purpose and priorities.

Go into any Fortune 500 company headquarters and not far from the door you will probably find a plaque with a mission statement and a vision statement. Since the early 1990's companies have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars creating mission and vision statements that serve as a anchor for all employee goals and objectives. Laurie Beth Jones reminds us why this is a critical investment for companies and urges individuals to invest the time, energy and discipline necessary to articulate their own mission and vision statements. She claims this is essential in order for one to gain a higher level of clarity for how daily activities align to fulfill an individual's goals and purpose. In addition, Jones asserts, "What we think about ourselves is clearly and unequivocally reflected in everything we say or do-in our work, our surroundings, our service to others. Therefore it is important to take the time to get a more clear picture of who we really think we are."

This book is a "must read" for independent consultants, managers, and people in job transition. For the independent consultant the book offers exercises designed to help identify niche and ways to articulate value. With so many independent consultants-even within our Rochester community, the better the consultant has done the work of creating a mission it will help him/her determine the clients and companies that most align with the value they have to offer. For the manager, the book is full of ideas that may be useful in team building and in capturing the most for employees. As a manager, one gets rewarded for achieving results through other people. By taking the time with employee and teams and working through some of the exercises that allow individuals to determine the values that are important to them and the actions that are most rewarding they will be able to align projects with people in a way that enhances productivity. And for the individual in job transition the book offers key questions to help a person envision the type of work that best allows for the individual to live his/her mission in a work setting. To find a motivational and value based fit, the person seeking employment will have greater articulation of "bottom line" essentials that are fulfilling and motivating. Jones shares that "passion is power" and the more clearly defined and articulated that passion is-the more power that can be released.

So what is the difference between a mission and vision statement? A mission statement is a sentence that articulates key actions, an audience, and a purpose. A mission statement must be broad enough to encompass many activities with a final outcome. Here are Jones ingredients to an effective mission statement: · A mission statement should be no more that one single sentence long. · It should be easily understood by a twelve year old. · It should be able to be recited by memory at gun-point.

A vision statement is less of a strategy than an exercise in visualization. A vision statement requires an individual or a company to write down exactly what the "picture" will look like once the mission has been carried out. A vision statement requires imagination and what Jones calls positive "prophecy." Jones encourages that ,"One of the most important things we can do for others-and for ourselves -is to create and maintain an atmosphere charged with positive prophecies." That is what vision statements do-they project into the future and create a more desirable picture that is motivating, inspiring, and desired. For companies that are going through major changes and struggling with bringing the workforce along with the necessary changes, I recommend this book as a strategy to help leaders and managers to support staff in creating scenarios to create vision as leverage for change.

A recommendation for leading you or your organization with the use of mission and vision statements is to keep both the mission and vision present together. With the latest technology, you can now watch two football games simultaneously. A television channel can be superimposed on another so you can follow two games at the same time, a "picture within a picture". That is exactly what is required to make the most use of mission and vision statements. They must be present while you are in the midst of your work and daily activities. The two pictures or channels Jones encourages you to watch are channel WCI (What Currently Is) and channel WCB (What Could Be). Keeping these two channels or pictures present allows for you, your team, and your company to make decision in alignment with the articulated mission and vision.

I firmly believe that whether we are individual contributors or part of a corporate entity, we can offer the most value by being clear in our skills, gifts and purpose. This book will help you gain and articulate some of that clarity. In addition to this book, I strongly recommend Soloing-Realizing Your Life's Ambition by Harriet Rubin.

If you are struggling with balance in your life and wondering who you are and where you are going than this is the book for you. Jones forces you to carefully analyze yourself and figure out what makes you tick and helps you realize your purpose on this planet along the way. Her theory is simple: come up with an all encompassing mission statement that represents everything about you (career,fun, etc.) and live by it. If what you are doing in your life doesn't fit the mission then modify your mission or change how you are living. A powerful read! Don't be surprised if this book changes your life or at least your perspective of it. It changed mine and gave me the courage and guts to bail out of corporate America and do what I am truly passionate about.

The introduction for "The Path", written by Jones, says, ". . . if an unidentified soldier appeared suddenly in the dark and could not state his mission, he was automatically shot without question." She continues, "Being confronted with a "life or death" need to know one's mission would force millions of us to reexamine who we are, and what we're about. It would save immeasurable amounts of money, tears and heartache." If you are not living your own mission, you are living someone else's. I recently came to the realization that all the years I've been working in photography and writing, I've been living "someone else's mission." Doing what I've been told to do to be successful. My heart had been replaced by a business plan with making money or impressing others with my work instead of creating work that impressed me. When I made a product I loved I was often told it wouldn't be a profitable piece of work, so I continued to make images and written material that were profitable even if I wasn't pleased with the work. "The Path" has made me focus on what I really want to achieve, and be able to tell others in a single sentence what my mission is (I haven't perfected my mission statement--the single sentence, yet). The book is a workbook that explains what you and your mission statement are about and how to go about writing this statement. Some of the chapters are: Finding your mission. Three elements of a good mission statement.

Forming a sense of mission. The power of positive prophecy. Your passion is your power. Sustaining creative tension, and The eight action steps to success. I found the book very motivating.

From the introduction: "People with clearly defined missions have always led those who haven't any. You are living your mission or you are living someone else's. Which shall it be?" Jones provides guidance to help you define your mission statement, refine it, and create your vision. She provides a chapter on eleven myths of what a mission statement is not. Jones addresses not only the skills that you may want to develop in your mission statement but also dreams and encouragement, hurts and pushes that helped shape your life that impact your mission and vision. The book is written in an easy to follow language and is filled with ancedotes that get the point across and includes "case studies" based on six historic and Biblical figures. This book can be used not only by individuals, but also for organizations seeking a more coherent "vision." Working through the exercises will make you really sit back and think about what you want out of life, bring you to tears over past hurts, and help propell you to get your mission defined and implemented.

In the book the path, Ms. Jones demonstrates how "People with clearly defined missions have always led those who haven't any. You are either living your mission or you are living someone else's."

Although Ms. Jones reaches into the historical past of Judeo-Christian tradition for many of her examples, she also gives many personal and contemporary accounts. The religious references may put off some non-religious readers, yet the book still has many powerful exercises that do help you create a powerful mission statement.

Ms. Jones is humorous at times which helps to drive home her points. One of my favorites is when she is making the case for the power behind having a clear mission statement. "I often visualize heaven as being like a catalog fulfillment center, full of angels reading requests. `This one reads, `I want to be happy in the future', says Gabriel. `What exactly does that mean?' asks Michael. `I do not know. What should I do with it?' asks Gabriel. `Put it in the hold file, with all the rest. Someday maybe these humans will learn to be specific," sighs Michael, as he marks yet another request incomplete".

The heart of the book is the chapter entitled "Creating the Vision Statement." Here she created two very practical sets of exercises. One for individuals and the other for groups/organizations. Each question is designed to help you create a clearer vision of what you want thus helping you to attract, manifest and get clear about "the path" you want to follow.

Rick's Purpose Ratings
Relevance of exercises 10
"Woo Woo" scale* 5
It makes a good case for purpose 8
Good for individuals 10
Good for groups 8
Overall 8.2
*Indicates how mainstream the book is. 1 = Very far out, strap on your astral helmets, 10 = Practical and contemporary, a great book for a skeptic like Archie Bunker.

I highly recommend her book.

...is to read this book, do the exercises, and develop a mission statement that fits you. Then, live it out! This is much more than a "self-help" book, this is a book of self-discovery. Find out how God has "wired" you, create a vision for your life, and see what unique way you can benefit humankind. If you're ready for your life to be revolutionized, this is the book that can do it. If I'd have read this book sooner, I'd have given it to every high school and college graduate I know. Of course, "The Path" is not just for graduates, it's for everybody. An excellent, excellent book.

Laurie Beth Jones has been one of my success mentors for years. Her wisdom is clear and eloquent - but more than that it is right on! Even before you finish reading "The Path" for the first time, you will be a changed person - it's that incredible. I say first time because you will want to read it again and again.

Laurie Beth covers all of the proactive bases: smart thinking, system thinking, futuristic thinking, and positive thinking. If you are truly seeking the kind of success and abundance that makes your life 100% livable - you must read this book. Many of her ideas are found in SUCCESS BOUND, another book built on learning how to live a proactively life that is God centered and fulfilling.

Everything that I have put into practice that Laurie Beth has recommended has worked. She helped me to find my major purpose in life. It has been one of the most important keys to my success. Read The Path and you will believe that you can do anything that you set your mind to. My copy is well worn with highliter and pen marks all through it from the numerous times that I've returned to it in order to study it again.

One of the most helpful parts of his book is the section where she teaches you all that you need to know inorder to write a mission statement for your life. It reads "My mission is to learn, live, and teach the principles of proactive thinking in order to help bring abundant life to all." When I finished writing it, it completely changed my life and gave me new energy to pursue what I knew all along to be the right thing for me. It helped me to become "Dr. Proactive" and has brought me success by focusing on serving others using my God given talents.

You will find that this exciting book becomes a part of you. Don't hold back - let it happen. In fact, you should spend 10 to 15 minutes every morning focusing your thoughts on the truths of this book, thereby allowing them to seep deep into your subconscious mind. If you do this I guarantee this wisdom will most assuredly bring you the success and abundance you deserve.

Enjoy the book and your new proactive life!

At a time in my life where I felt I had to better define my direction, I began searching for some practical help. I turned to this book which had been sitting on my shelf for almost two years. One WARNING though...do not read this like a motivational book. This is a practical manual with exercises in each chapter. DO NOT convince yourself that you don't have the time to carry these out. Make the effort to do all the exercises and you will be amazed at what you find out about yourself. You will start to feel a new purpose. By putting together my mission statement I am beginning to get a picture of how all aspects of my life can and will fit into this mission. I am using this book in conjunction with the Pathfinder by Nicholas Lore to start me down the PATH.

Laurie Beth Jones has developed a simple, yet highly inspirational model for creating a mission statement. Her book picks up where Stephen Covey leaves off--that is through a series of focused and powerful exercises--she actually leads you through the process of writing a mission statement that "sings to your soul!" I have not only read the book, but attended her Facilitator's Training and as a result am now fully living my mission. If you have always known you wanted and "should have" a mission statement, The Path will lead you from confusion to clarity. This book should be required for the entire human population. And for those who are illiterate, her method is so simple and engaging, I believe it could literally be taught through pictures. So get two--one for you and one for a friend!