It is a well-known fact that successful people plan and organize their lives. Often they use a personal mission statement to assist them in doing so. Personal mission statements are an important component of leadership and personal development. It forces you to think deeply about your life, clarify purposes, and identify what is truly important for you.

A divorce mission statement can do the same things whether you are facing a potential divorce or are still in the middle of contentious litigation. Divorces create periods of uncertainty and sometimes chaos. People are not functioning at their best, they are under a lot of stress, and they are grieving the significant loss of a relationship, their anticipated future, and their family.

Under these circumstances, the divorce mission statement becomes critical. It is important because:

1) It integrates who you are. It includes the most important information about who you are, your values, and your goals;

2) It provides focus; and

3) It simplifies your decision-making regarding important decisions that you must make.

It will act as a reminder of what’s important to you and, at a minimum, direct you to the questions you need to ask yourself and help assist you in making decisions that are consistent with your goals. It will hold you accountable when you go in the wrong direction. When things don’t seem to be going right in your divorce, a personal mission statement can assist you in understanding what went wrong or why you are off track.

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How to create a divorce mission statement:

1) Identify some past successes. They can be personal, professional, or dealing with your family. In identifying these successes, you may be able to identify a common theme that runs through them and then you can use that theme to direct your divorce mission statement;

2) Identify your core values. Make sure you include a list of attributes or characteristics that you believe best identify who you are as well as your priorities;

3) Identify your contributions. Make a list of the ways you feel you can make a difference. What can you contribute to reach your important goals in your divorce case;

4) Identify your priorities in your divorce. Listing short-term and long-term goals that you want to obtain from your divorce can go a long way in helping you in developing your personal mission statement.

Everyone’s personal mission statement is different. The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), in its 20 minutes’ film entitled: “A Safe Place” follows the true story of a couple as they make their way through a collaborative divorce. At one point in time, the couple create a joint mission statement that they have written for their divorce. It states:

“We want our children to grow up feeling loved and nurtured by both of us without a sense that their parents are angry with one another or conducting a quite war behind the scenes. We want to continue to work as a team in raising our boys, to share in the major decisions, to support one another, and to share in the traditions and celebrations that we have established. We want as little change for our boys as possible.”

The above mission statement may not be for everybody or for every divorce. But it clearly demonstrates the potential power that a mission statement can have in terms of answering major questions or issues that may occur in your divorce. Consequently, sit down and draft your own divorce mission statement. You may find it to be the most powerful tool in achieving a successful divorce for yourself and for your family.

Board Certified Marital and Family Law Attorney Charles D. Jamieson understands that divorce is an extremely sensitive and important issue. Thanks to extensive experience and a focus on open communication, Attorney Jamieson adeptly addresses the complex issues surrounding divorce while delivering excellent personal service. To discuss your pending or anticipated divorce, then please contact The Law Firm of Charles D. Jamieson, P.A. or call 561-478-0312 to schedule a consultation.