a new year

“SEIZE THE DAY.”

I AM ASHLEY NICOLE NORMAN

WIFE, MOTHER, FRIEND.

“EVERY BEGINNING COMES FROM SOME OTHER BEGINNINGS END.”

THIS YEAR IS MY YEAR.

I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY PAST, LIVE IN MY PRESENT, AND STRIVE TO BETTER MYSELF FOR MY FUTURE- A FUTURE WHICH IS ALWAYS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER- ALWAYS ONLY A DAY AWAY.

                  AVID                CREATIVE                         PATIENT

I AM A READER, A WRITER, AND A TEACHER.

I AM A GOAL KEEPER.

I RECOGNIZE WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT. I FOCUS ON ONLY WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT. AND I FORGIVE MYSELF WHEN I SCREW UP BEING PERFECT AT DOING WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.

I AM NOT PERFECT.

I AM A LOVER.

–SPONTANEOUS, FUN, EASY-GOING-

I KNOW HOW TO SHOW JUSTIN- MY ONE AND ONLY- THAT I LOVE HIM, AND I DO IT. DAILY. AND JUST CAUSE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR OVER 2 YEARS DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN’T ACT LIKE HONEYMOONERS. J

I AM A STUDENT. “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.” –NELSON MANDELA

-I IMMERSE MY MIND, MY HEART, MY SOUL IN BOOKS THAT EXPLORE ALL WALKS OF LIFE, BOTH REAL AND FANTASTICAL-

“I AM TRYING TO BE LIKE JESUS.”

I SEEK OUT THOSE IN NEED OF MY SERVICE.

I GIVE MY TIME TO THE CALLINGS I’VE BEEN GIVEN.

I UTILIZE MY TALENTS TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL.

I AM ME.

AND I WILL,

SEIZE THE DAY.

Want to write your own mission statement?  Here are some reasons why you should... 

The Benefits of a Well-Defined Mission Statement

• It focuses your energy and clarifies your purpose. When you try to write your mission statement, you will find that you have to really define what you are going to do. Many questions will come up that must be resolved. Be careful to keep your mission narrowly focused to ensure that you don't bite off more than you can chew.
• A well-defined mission statement can and should motivate YOU. Make your mission statement compelling as well as clear.

Some Tips for Writing Your Mission Statement

• Bring in many perspectives. This will help you develop a broad base of support.
• Allow enough time. Time spent now will pay off later. So, don't rush the process. Provide time to reflect on the information you gather, to write an initial draft, to allow key participants to read it, and to make changes.
• Be open to new ideas. Be open to different interpretations of what you should be doing and new ideas about how to accomplish your goals. Use brainstorming techniques to ensure that all ideas come forward freely. You can winnow them down later.
• Write short and only what you need. The best mission statements are short and state the obvious. Your statement's length and complexity depends on what you want to do, but keep it as brief as possible. You should be able to use the statement frequently, so make it brief and succinct. 
• Review your mission statement frequently.

(information about creating a mission statement from http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitbasics/a/mission.htm)

And here are a few other mission statement "rules" to remember...

#1- Use "I" in your mission statements, and keep it POSITIVE.

#2- Your mission statement should be used as a reminder of the person you are working on becoming, so it's okay to add "I" statements that aren't true yet, but will be in the future. :)

#3- And personally, I like to use favorite quotes that kind of represent "themes" or important aspects I want to focus on  in my life.