my Design | my Promise Assessment
I have helped thousands of people write personal mission statements over the past three decades. And while I have found these statements of what’s most important are helpful, they are still missing something. Most often a mission statement addresses our commitment to our loved ones, our contribution through our work and often our faith. But I have found what really matters to people and what frees them to amplify their “voice” is to discover their individual, unique noble intent.
Our noble intent is similar to a motto, a tag-line, or a brand promise. It is “what you came for” in a single sentence. Once you articulate your noble intent, the meaning of it will change. No situations will be mundane or routine. And all people, including strangers, are viewed with new eyes. This is what I mean.
I once worked with a highly energetic woman who retired early from her career and found difficulty feeling totally fulfilled by her family or volunteer work. As we unraveled her success stories of what she most valued and enjoyed doing, it became clear her noble intent was to “Encourage the discouraged.” Indeed she was famous among her circles for her ability to help people who felt down lift up their eyes to see new possibilities. She did this everywhere with everyone. And she had since elementary school. She unconsciously had sought volunteer work with hospice patients and abused children because it called for her noble intent. Once she saw this, her unease as to whether she was doing something significant enough instantly vanished. Now every moment of her life is a blank canvas to paint her noble intent. Everyday, every encounter is an opportunity.
Some other clients’ noble intents are:
- “To give underdogs a chance to succeed.”
- “To help others find their purpose.”
- “To bring justice to those who are helpless.”
- “To help people smile.”
- “To make sure work no one else wants to do gets done.”
- “To connect good people to other good people.”
- “To help resolve conflicts lovingly.”
- “To communicate great ideas.”
Our noble intent seems to be the expression of our spiritual DNA. If we step back and look at the patterns of our lives we see it everywhere. Once we consciously seek to express it as big as we feel it, our personal satisfaction will soar and the world is changed.
We cannot fulfill our Promise until we discover our authentic inner Design. Fortunately, surgery is not required. We discover it by becoming aware of our persistent traits, talents, and track record. Our “Design” is the intersection of traits and talents that we bring with us into the world. Our track record is the expression of these traits and talents in action.