Comments on: Personal mission statement, take one

By: My Core Values: An Exercise / Dan Hocking

My Core Values: An Exercise / Dan Hocking — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:38:38 +0000

[...] and what drives me. I’m working on a personal mission statement based on these as well (a la Peter’s great one from a couple months back.) As the Art of Manliness’ series moves forward, I’ll post [...]

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:48:32 +0000

Hi there,
I liked your post. I haven’t worked a 9-5 day for 10 years and have complete freedom except that my choices are limited by poverty. So I’ve learned from poverty, I’ve become different, I’ve taken my cues more and more from myself. I can appreciate that the equilibrium you seek is elusive. If you are in the mainstream of society, making a living, you’re not gonna get there, ever. You have to go the other side and find your back.
good luck,
k.

By: Peter Flaschner

Peter Flaschner — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:12:11 +0000

@amrita, this is a brilliant question:

Is it enough to do it on an individual basis or must it scale to be truly impactful?

I think the *process* needs to scale. I think as a global society we’d be better off if we all went through a similar process.

By: Amrita

Amrita — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:31:02 +0000

So glad to see how many others responded – clearly you have hit on a topic close to people’s hearts.

My biggest challenge is figuring out how to live a life that not only has meaning for myself but also lessens the suffering of others. I’ve been fortunate to have had a lot of material comforts and I find at this point in my life I am thinking more about the bigger picture than just personal recognition.

Is it enough to do it on an individual basis or must it scale to be truly impactful?

By: Robb Meier

Robb Meier — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:19:42 +0000

I love this blog post, and all of the follow up comments. I think it’s a wonderful precedent you have set here Peter by putting it out there for others to read, take something from, and give something back by commenting here.

I identify the most with needing to have autonomy over the shape of my day. There was a time in life when I was not really in control of my direction. I was drifting, and often times following the wrong paths because I thought that money was the be all and end all. Now, after having grown up a bit, and experiencing some extremely humbling life moments, I place the highest priority on being able to control my days for me, nobody else.

That’s not to say I am not doing things for other people on a continual basis, but I do make sure to take the time that I need to do things for ME, and my own mental health. I choose to maintain this kind of freedom & choice, than to make an outrageous wage. Perhaps not a decision everyone can make, but for me, there is no other choice.

Please count me in, I would like nothing more than to be involved in shaping a social mission statement we all can live & succeed by.

By: Connie Crosby

Connie Crosby — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:59:57 +0000

Coming from the man with uber-Dave Grohl hair, I will take that as a big, fat compliment!

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:48:38 +0000

@conniecrosby you basically are the Dave Grohl of twitter.

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:47:25 +0000

@philnelson I really like

Only make things you’re proud of

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:46:30 +0000

Eric, I think we need to meet at some point. I’d really like to hear about the work you do. Right up my alley.

By: James McNally

James McNally — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:19:13 +0000

Peter, your timing is perfect. I’m heading off tomorrow for an overnight “personal retreat” where I will be working on similar issues. I did this back in 2003 and it led to my most rewarding period of work ever. Don’t be surprised if I’m back in the wee hours of Sunday morning with another comment.

And we’ll definitely need to get that beer in the next few weeks. Fellow travellers need company!