Mission Accomplished

Unfortunately, we can never hear the words Mission Accomplished unless we know exactly what that lofty statement says.

Backpackers and hikers understand commitment.

Breaking camp in the pre-dawn hours, slinging your pack onto your back, checking maps and water supplies you prepare to leave, knowing that to accomplish the day's goal will require overcoming fatigue, enduring great thirst and challenging extreme terrain. Your heart races with anticipation, not just for the view from the top, but for the journey.

The journey is part of the reward, and there's an energizing confidence in knowing you won't quit. And the reality is that our life will remain unfocused unless we spend productive time in defining where we want to go, then developing the goals needed to reach the desired place.

Without question, the focus and result we envision can only be achieved by a commitment to getting there.

Speaking of active commitment to a worthy goal, here is a powerful example of two teachers focused on a mission to teaching in a Christian school in the heart of Africa. Check out this site to get a glimpse of people who couple amazing vision with courageous action.

As Vince Lombardi said, "The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to the commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen endeavor."

Unfortunately such commitment is often not the case, and life is lived by reacting to events rather than taking proactive action towards our stated mission. If you own a small business or want to start one, here is an excellent site that shows how to stay committed to the process of growing your business.

Commit to Your Vision

Tom Chappell is owner and CEO of "Tom's of Maine," a body and health care company which focuses not only on making a profit, but also being environmentally sound and paying attention to the welfare of both its employees and the town in which it is located.

The company is fully committed to its well-thought-out public statement. In his book, "Managing Upside Down," Chappell expounds on the thesis that all decisions of the company must be consistent with what they say they are going to do.

He further defines the concept of "managing upside down" as "letting your own deepest beliefs and values... drive your business."

Chappell goes on to say how every level of operation in the company, from the janitorial staff to the executive board, must make decisions that remain true to their published document.

Whether you're an administrator, teacher, parent or student, it's critical that you learn how to know what your mission is, then be confident in setting the proper goals and taking the effective steps to reach that desired place.

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