{"id":825,"date":"2010-02-24T16:43:50","date_gmt":"2010-02-24T21:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/?p=825"},"modified":"2010-09-27T18:37:05","modified_gmt":"2010-09-27T23:37:05","slug":"mission-connection-tip-staying-connected-to-meanginful-pursuits-and-helping-others-do-the-same","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/825\/mission-connection-tip-staying-connected-to-meanginful-pursuits-and-helping-others-do-the-same","title":{"rendered":"Mission Connection Tip: Staying Connected to Meaningful Pursuits and Helping Others Do the Same"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>So much research and experience has shown that staying connected to something meaningful can be a critical component of a satisfied and effective life, family, team and\/or business.\u00a0 Those who are able to identify something that adds deep meaning to their lives and find ways to pursue it (even in the face of barriers) tend to be more fulfilled and connected than those of us who struggle to do so.\u00a0 This Mission Connection Tip focuses on four major phases of staying connected to a mission and helping interested others do so as well.<\/p>\n<p>Mission Connection can be facilitated by becoming clear about our passions, skills, contributions and barriers to constant connection.\u00a0 Attention to these areas tend to improve the chances that we will be able to promote meaning in our personal and professional lives.\u00a0 Here are some ways people have been able to promote Mission Connection in their lives and the lives of others around them:<!--more--><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"More...\" src=\"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/wp-includes\/js\/tinymce\/plugins\/wordpress\/img\/trans.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Phase I: Cultivate &#8220;3-Circle Clarity&#8221;. <\/strong>One of my favorite saying is &#8220;follow your bliss.&#8221;\u00a0 I think this is often closely related to Jim Collins&#8217; idea of being in the center of one&#8217;s &#8220;3 circles&#8221; (passion, excellence and need).\u00a0 Bliss or 3-Circle clarity is a critical first phase in Mission Connection; it can be very difficult to stay connected to a Mission over the long haul if it is not something that we enjoy and\/or are truly passionate about.\u00a0 It can also be helpful if we have a certain level of ability in these areas and\/or feel as though our mission fulfills a need in ourselves (or the world).\u00a0 We often assist people with bliss and 3-Circle clarity by asking them to: (a) generate a list of all of the activities or experiences that they truly enjoy, then (b) circling the items on the list that they have a certain amount of expertise in and finally, (c) highlighting the items on the list that also can fulfill a deep need in ourselves and\/or the world.\u00a0 Once we are done with this list, we may wish to pursue items that are circled and highlighted (items that we enjoy, have expertise in and fulfill enough of a need that others will pay us for it) for a career while keeping other items in our lives (items we enjoy, but may not be expert enough at performing for pay) for hobbies or leisure time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phase II: Goal-set for constant connection. <\/strong>Expert goal-setting can be a critical way to stay connected to a mission.\u00a0 So often, missions are given up on because of goals that are not set in SMART (specific, measurable, agreed-upon, realistic and time-bound) ways.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/61\/smart-goals-what-are-they-how-can-they-help-you-and-why-so-few-really-know-how-to-set-them\" target=\"_blank\">Click here for more on SMART Goals<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phase III: Deepen focus abilities. <\/strong>Mission Connection takes regular focus.\u00a0 Many believe that we are not well-trained to stay focused for long periods of time.\u00a0 The ability to stay focused on one&#8217;s mission can be cultivated by a deeper <a href=\"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/616\/self-mastery-tip-enhance-your-awarenessattentionmindfulness\" target=\"_blank\">self-awareness<\/a>, more <a href=\"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/625\/self-mastery-tip-cultivate-your-peace-of-mind\" target=\"_blank\">peace of mind<\/a> and the ability to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/645\/self-mastery-tip-coping-effectively-with-stress-and-conflict\" target=\"_blank\">cope with stressful situations<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phase IV: Learn and practice the art and science of persistence. <\/strong>Many believe that they (or others) are too lazy to stay connected to a mission.\u00a0 Our research indicates that this is a myth!\u00a0 Persistence is not an inborn trait as much as it is an ability to handle five major areas in life: motivation, time perception, accessibility, enjoyment and social support.\u00a0 Click here for more on these <a href=\"http:\/\/www.excellenceuniversity.net\/journal\/79\/moving-from-wishing-to-doing-5-keys-to-getting-things-done\" target=\"_blank\">5 persistence-enhancing factors<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NOTE TO THOSE USING THE MISSION FULFILLMENT SYSTEM:<\/strong> You can move toward increased Mission Connection by adding a new Objective to your system using the \u201cAdd New Item\u201d link (for example, \u201cStay connected to meaningful missions in my personal and professional life\u201d).\u00a0 You can then develop a SMART Goal related to that new Objective by using the \u201cAdd Subitem\u201d link to the far right of the new Objective (for example, \u201cIdentify meaningful objectives for my personal and professional life and modify the list as needed every 6 months.\u201d).<\/p>\n<p><strong>FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT ON THE MISSION FULFILLMENT SYSTEM: <\/strong><a href=\"..\/..\/tracking_execution.php\" target=\"_blank\">Click here<\/a> to for more information and <a href=\"..\/..\/contact.php\" target=\"_blank\">click here<\/a> to sign up.<\/p>\n<p><strong>FINAL NOTE:<\/strong> If you were linked to this article by a video or email, please return to that link and proceed with any other instructions that you deem helpful.\u00a0\u00a0For more Execution Excellence and Interpersonal Expertise tips and tools visit our site at: <a href=\"..\/..\/\" target=\"_blank\">www.excellenceuniversity.net<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So much research and experience has shown that staying connected to something meaningful can be a critical component of a satisfied and effective life, family, team and\/or business.\u00a0 Those who are able to identify something that adds deep meaning to their lives and find ways to pursue it (even in the face of barriers) tend 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