The word "mission" makes some people think of thrilling spy movies where secret agents are on special assignments to some exotic and dangerous places. Is that what it means to have a mission?

Look at some of the biggest companies and the best run companies in the world. You will come across their vision, mission and core values. These are the guiding principles that drive their cultures and their businesses. Some are very visible to all stakeholders while others prefer to keep it a low profile. Nevertheless companies spent huge amount of money to deploy their vision, mission and core values to cultivate the goodwill of the customers through their motivated employees. Through their annual strategic planning cycle, they review and update their vision, mission and core values to stay relevant in the market place.

Having a personal mission is like setting up your direction that helps to transform you into what you desire to be. What does this mean in practice? To answer this question, we just need to look right where we are and ask ourselves: How am I transforming the situation? Am I doing the right things? Do my actions and decisions within my family, my workplace and society bring goodwill and value to the community?

There are many ways one can help to achieve their mission for the greater good of their fellow beings. We need to ensure that every person's dignity is respected and no one is treated as if he or she does not matter. We also recognize that each person is unique and that all are equal in God's eyes.

Everyone has the right to life whether they are rich or poor, healthy or sick. We need to ensure this right especially for voiceless people like the unborn child, the frail elderly, those persecuted in war-torn places and the many people in poorer countries who die from hunger each year. A central aspect of our human dignity is to acknowledge everyone's right of freedom of conscience and religion. No one should be forced to choose a certain religion or be denied his or her own.

Defending the family should be an integral part of your mission. Strong family foundation and values help to make your mission possible. We need to defend the sanctity of family's life by ensuring that our cultural norms, social policies and economic activities support and strengthen families.

One of the noblest acts in your mission would be engaging in the works of charity. Whether individually or by in organized groups, the act of working for charity reflects the selfless attitude and the 'give more than you take' mentality of a progressive society.
We have a duty to change the whole of society for the better. This includes being aware of what goes on around us and influencing the various aspects of society social, economic, political and cultural. All our decisions as consumers, workers, citizens, policy-makers or business persons need to serve the well being of people.

Evaluate how you can influence the way the world thinks or moves by promoting the values of your religion. Help to inculcate more positive and people-centered values through your involvement in education, media, the arts and sciences or any other channel.
Do all these activities seem like mission impossible? Maybe not if we only open ourselves to think more of others than our own selves.