Of Beginnings And Mission Statements

This being my very first post, I dare not expect too much of it. I hope, of course, that it'll be special - a gem amongst first posts. But I have the feeling that asking that of it would just stifle it under the weight of such expectations.

The idea for this blog is to showcase my writing, and for it to be a portfolio of sorts. So this blog's mission statement, if it had one in the fashionable form, would read something like:

"To provide an {superlative of adjective} medium in which to {superlative of adverb} showcase examples of {superlative of adjective} talent, having attracted x amount of {superlative of adjective} attention in n years."

Pardon me if it seems like this mission statement idea doesn't have complete buy-in from me. I actually do think it has its place in corporate life, all I object to is the air of expectation surrounding the mission statement, as though employees of a company, upon reading it will be struck with awe at what a grand enterprise they are part of. Most of the time, if read at all, the only effect the superlative-drenched and incredibly buzz-wordy line has on people apart from the zealous new recruit (see below) is rather uninspiring.


To be fair, there are ones I like. Simple statements that tell people what they are part of without making it sound like a major production. Google's: "To facilitate access to information for the entire world." and Virgin Atlantic's: "To grow a profitable airline which people love to fly and where people love to work." get my vote.

So, no, I'm not saying do away with the mission statement. But when you're drafting one, stop trying to include everything they ever mentioned in that business course. Heck, dump the theory entirely while you're at it.

Share your dream, the rest will follow.