Your Strategic Plan: If You’re on a Vision and not a Mission…You’ve Failed!

There are many components that make up a great strategic plan. Creating appropriate vision statements, mission statements and metrics are vital. 

Unfortunately, many are misdirected due to the fact that they either don’t understand the difference between a vision statement and a mission statement OR they are confused how to properly use them. 

Make no mistake about it…Vision Statements and Mission Statements are NOT THE SAME THING. Failure to understand that means a strategic plan without a proper base, which will result in a strategic plan that won't meet your organizational needs. 

So what’s the difference? Simply put, vision statements are hopeful, generic and inspirational.  Its sole purpose is to make you dream and desire to be better.  It doesn’t say how or why…just that you want to be better. 

On the other hand, good mission statements are actionable and measureable. It defines who you are and what you WILL be (not what you WANT to be). 

Another measurement of a great mission statement is that anyone and everyone should be able to tell what type of business you are from it.  They may not be able to tell the name of your business, but it should give insight as to what you do.  

Ultimately, the best description comes from the movie “The Blues Brothers”. They were on a MISSION from God, not a VISON from God.  

Got a nice vision of your future?  Good for you, hope you feel good.  However, to be successful…you must create the right mission and act on it.