Life Priorities
Growth, Self Esteem, Confidence

Your personal mission statement, sometimes referenced as your life priorities, is an inward expedition with an outward result. The third V, Validation, are the mile markers for each of your life priorities. They are the sign posts as you journey toward your Vision for each core Value. Just as you need three legs for a three legged stool to be functional, a personal mission statement without all three V's - Values, Vision, Validation - is incomplete.

How do Validation statements tie into your life priorities?

Stephen Covey in his book First Things First gives us a hint. He asks, "Do you have a clear sense of direction and purpose that inspires and energizes you..."

John Maxwell, Failing Forward, offers "...people lacking focus have trouble not because they're too busy, but because their priorities are out of whack..."

Validation statements fulfill the above. They are short sentences describing what the Vision for the Value will look like. Identifying Validation statements is similar to goal setting. They provide observable, measurable outcomes for your life priorities. And, yes, they ought to inspire and energize you.

Values describe what it is you care most about. Through a word picture, Vision gives meaning to your Values. Validation is the reality check. It describes what living the Value looks like.

Priorities change. But your personal life focus, that is your Values, do not. If, for example, trust is a personal core value, misdirecting a prospect to get the sale would be awkward and uncomfortable. It is not something you would likely do even if you needed one more sale for a significant bonus.

Here is an example of how Value, Vision, and Validation come together:
VALUE: Personal Development
VISION: To build character strength, instill personal confidence, stretch
VALIDATION:
* I read credible authors, journals, magazines, books
* I participate in eductational, training, personal development programs/workshops/seminars
* I interact with people of integrity
* I do not allow negative, unmotivated people to enter my inner circle
* I ask for assistance when needed
* I do not accept complacency, status quo as an excuse for not trying

Validation statements always start with "I" followed by a verb describing an action. The actions are observable and measurable. Validation statements mark the pathway to your personal life focus. They are your guideposts.

Values are the what, a word list of character traits critical to your achieving your life priorities as outlined in your personal mission statement.

Vision is the why; a word picture describing the purpose or reason for of each Value.

Validation statements are the how. They describe how you will know if you are in sync with your personal mission statement.

Growth, self esteem, confidence, ingredients for a brilliant life and the result of achieving personal life priorities. Well written Validation statements give direction. They must be reviewed daily to ensure your personal life focus, your compass, is pointed in the direction you want to go.

Starting your day by reviewing you personal mission statement will instill confidence. Reviewing your personal life focus and seeing you are heading in the direction of your Validation statements builds confidence and increases self esteem.

Next, bringing it all together - writing your personal mission statement.

Remember: Nothing happens until someone sells something.

Sales Champions Make It Happen!