Posted on February 18, 2011 by Line Brunet

As a coach, I hear these 2 words – mission and purpose – almost everyday. They’ve become ‘buzz words’ in our industry, like so many others and because of that I think we become desensitized to their meanings.

So what is your purpose in life? What’s your mission? I see two very distinct differences between mission and purpose and yet they go hand in hand.

For the purposes of answering the question, ‘Why am I here?’, your purpose is your reason for being and does not necessarily mean what should your job/career be, although for many that is the question.

Your purpose, I believe, is your contribution or goal. For instance, my purpose is helping people see the star that they are. I know, sounds cheesy, but it is. That is my reason for being, my goal. My mission? To reach as many people as I can through writing, my radio show and meeting people in person in order to make a difference in their lives.

Your purpose is what you want to achieve or do and your mission is what drives it. Your mission is the plan for getting there. You want to help folks lose weight and get healthier? Great! Now how are you going to go about doing that? You want to stop bullying? Absolutely! How will you go about doing that.

Short and sweet as I explained to a client recently; your purpose is what you want to do and your mission is how you go about doing it. The response I received? “Ahhhhh, I see. Well, now that makes a difference.”

It did for me as well. How about you? Has it started the wheels turning in your mind in order to help you find your purpose? Hope so because that’s what I’m here for.