'Using a popular business technique to lay out a mission plan for a life with MS can help us see over multiple sclerosis'
We may all have used, at one time or another, different mottos, slogans, catch phrases or mantra to get us through a tough patch of living with multiple sclerosis. I know I have “Hope without a plan is just a dream” has helped me get off my backside and start moving toward a goal many a time.
If I really think about them, however, the ring a bit hollow and serve as faint cheerleaders when it comes to the day-to-day grind of living with MS as well as when I have to make a big decision.
Like in many parts of my life with multiple sclerosis, I look back to my life before MS for answers.
In business, many successful organisations use a mission statement to define themselves, their reason for existing and to lay out a measuring stick by which to judge strategic decisions and potential moves. Mission statements can seem rather vague at first but are meant to sum up hopes and values in a short, bold statement.
If, for example, a restaurant chain has the mission statement; “To provide entertainment and joy through, food, music and art” and someone suggests that they should remove the paintings from the walls to save money, you can see how the mission statement can help guide the decision of the company.
But let’s not get hung-up on corporate mission statements. How about developing one for yourself?
I’ve chosen “To find my limits, to press them and then to live within them” as my mission statement.
This helps me to keep pushing when I feel I may be complacent, it allows for me to acknowledge that my abilities change and it encourages me to find new life and joy even if I can’t do the things (or do them the way) I used to do.
On a ‘bad’ MS day my MS mission statement can simultaneously help me to push myself and allow me to stop pushing. If I employ it well (and I don’t always do that) it guides my decisions and helps me to live both good days and less-than-good days to their fullest (or nearly so).
Do you see the difference between a motto and a mission statement? Have you ever thought of an MS Mission Statement before? What might yours be?
It seems a good topic for the first month of the year.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers
Trevis
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