The MVP Strategy Every Winning Family Should Use

A family mission statement is a combined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about — what it is you really want to do and be — and the principles you choose to govern your family life. Here's an example of our family mission statement.

 

Garcia Family Mission Statement:

Words that are spoken outwardly help you live it out. When you write out what you are going to do, it usually gets done. That's why many people write grocery lists and to do lists. Without something to reference back to, you might find yourself on a second trip to the grocery store because you forgot the milk. Writing things down takes the information in our minds and organizes that information into clearly defined words. That's the importance of a family mission statement, if it doesn’t get written it may not ever be clarified, lived out, or done.  

 

Having a mission is like setting a written goal. It’s setting the standard that you will live by because it helps you keeps you on track for what’s most important in life. Businesses use mission statements all the time so that their employees know what their expectations are and what standard they need to work by. Without a mission, you can find yourself wondering what’s next and you may find yourself wondering if you are on the right path to begin with. Without a mission, it’s all too easy to stay stagnant.

 

It’s often the case that a parent only finds reason to think about their family’s values and what they want their family to be like only after something has gone wrong. By then it’s usually too late – things have already begun to unravel, and it will take much more time and effort to right the ship.

 

The best time to begin creating a family culture is as early as possible (like right now!) – when things are still fine (but you want them to be even better).

 

Do it together as a family, especially if your children are at an age where they can contribute to this conversation. It helps them take ownership over it. Just know that the leaders of the home should do the majority, (if not all) of the work. Do whatever fits your family.

Having family values are more than just fancy words. They are a set of words that are to be an encouragement and motivational tool for your family. Having family values encourages your family members to take ownership of their values and live these words out. Here is an example of our family values:

True leaders lead with purpose and intention. They are able to cast a compelling vision on their families and received buy-in from their loved ones.

 

Without vision, we can’t see where we are going. We have to choose our destination first, then make the decision to move, and then take the steps to get there. Without vision we may find ourselves in a place we didn’t intend to be. Vision helps us go somewhere on purpose.

 

One of my favorite quotes is, “Everybody ends up somewhere, but few end up somewhere on purpose.” Maybe we can start applying this to our families. If we did, it might sound something like this... "Every family ends up somewhere, but with a compelling vision and with intention, they will end up somewhere on purpose."

 

One quick note on the difference between a mission and purpose (vision) statement. A mission statement states what you want to do now, and a vision statement is what you want to be in the future.

 

So you may ask yourself... "Why an MVP plan?" Well, we think that it only makes sense.

• Universities make degree plans.
• Businesses owners make business plans.
• Financial advisors make financial plans.
• Marketers make marketing plans.
• Teachers make lesson plans.
• Travel agents make travel plans.
• Architects make floor plans.
• Developers make building plans.
• Consultants make strategic plans.
• Dietitians make meal plans.
• Body builders make workout plans. (Yes, I do)

Can you imagine what these careers would look like if they didn't have the proper plans in place? It would be devastating. Universities would enroll students without a clear path to achieving degrees and graduation rates would plummet. Businesses would be in shambles without a financial plan to see how their funds are being utilized.

The truth is... The stakes are too high to not take this seriously. Marriages are at stake. Relationships with your children are at stake. Your legacy is at stake.

Imagine what it would be like if you could build (or rebuild) a marriage that started with a clearly articulated and aligned vision for the future. Imagine what it would be like if you could restore or strengthen relationships with your spouse of children by leading better. What if you could simply inspire your family to be the best versions of themselves and help them stretch further than they ever thought possible.

This is what casting a vision over your family looks like.

Our days are numbered and we must be a good steward of our time here on this earth. That means making sure that every moment is lived out with purpose that accomplishes the ultimate vision.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain the heart of wisdom." -Psalm 90:12

Unless we take the time to regain our perspective and face the reality that life is short, we risk arriving at a destination we didn’t choose - or at least one we didn’t prefer.

 

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