Career Management Skills / Career Advice

How to Write a Personal Why Statement




A personal why statement is a concise declaration of your core values, goals, and purpose. It helps clarify what drives you and provides a framework for decision-making in your career and personal life. Crafting a meaningful statement takes reflection and creativity but can profoundly guide your journey.

Steps to Create a Personal Why Statement

  1. Reflect on Past Achievements
  2. List career, personal, and community successes.

  3. Identify patterns and themes that reveal your core strengths and passions.

  4. Identify Core Values

  5. Create a list of values that define who you are.

  6. Narrow it down to the most essential values, prioritizing one overarching value.

  7. Choose Your Focus Group

  8. Decide who you want to impact most: family, community, workplace, or the world.

  9. This defines the primary audience for your statement.

  10. Set Clear Goals

  11. Include short-term goals (less than five years) and long-term goals (five years or more).
  12. Examples: earning a degree, achieving a leadership role, or starting a business.

  13. Identify the goal that motivates you most.

  14. Draft Your Statement?

  15. Combine your values, goals, and focus into a single, concise declaration.
  16. The statement should be specific, actionable, and inspiring.

Personal Mission Statement Template

"I will [action/goal] by [using specific strengths or values] for [focus group] to [desired outcome or impact].

Examples of Personal Why Statements

  1. Career Development:
    "I will use my creativity and leadership skills to inspire and empower my team, fostering innovation and driving meaningful results.

  2. Community Impact:
    "I will dedicate my time and expertise to improve access to education for underserved communities, helping build a brighter future for the next generation.

  3. Personal Growth:
    "I will pursue lifelong learning and self-reflection to become a better version of myself and positively influence those around me.

  4. Health and Well-being:
    "I will prioritize physical and mental well-being by practicing mindfulness and promoting a balanced lifestyle for myself and my family.

Tips for Writing a Strong Why Statement

  • Be Authentic: Write in a way that genuinely reflects your beliefs and aspirations.
  • Keep It Concise: Aim for a short, memorable statement.
  • Allow Flexibility: Recognize that your why statement may evolve over time as you grow.
  • Stay Action-Oriented: Focus on what you will do and the impact you aim to achieve.

By crafting a thoughtful personal why statement, you can clarify your purpose, guide your actions, and align your decisions with what truly matters to you.

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