Look to any successful business and learn how they became successful and you will likely find that before they ever became a business, they had a plan. They began with a business agreement, so that everyone knew their roles, a mission statement that provided guidelines for them to follow, both short and long term goals so they could measure their success and the resources to make it all happen. Why should marriage depend on anything less?
Successful businesses like General Electric or Coca-cola didn't just become successful when two business people got together and decided to become partners, and your marriage won't be successful just because you and your beloved decided to tie the knot. You need a business plan, and every good business plan has a mission statement to lead the way.
MISSIONS TRIPS
Hopefully, if you are reading this, you have already determined who you want to go into business with. You have made sure that you have similar business philosophies (ideas about marriage), and you know with certainty that your business partner is reliable and honest and is someone you can work with to achieve your goals. Assuming you are comfortable with who your business partner is going to be, let's move on to forming your plan for a successful marriage.
Let's consider first of all, that nothing is set in stone. A good business plan must allow for flexibility. Think of a business plan as a road map. It's simply a tool to show you where you are going and how you intend to get there. Maps change over time. Say you are going to go from Austin to San Antonio. A simple trip, right? However, if you looked at a map from the 1950's, you might run into some significant changes. Interstate 35 isn't on the map! The map changed over time, and business plans, or marriage plans, must change as well. So if your business plan ends up being something you are not totally comfortable with today, by all means, voice your concerns, but remember that things do change in time.
So you have chosen your BP (business partner) and you're ready to begin planning. The obvious goal of your business is for the two of you to have happy and fulfilled lives through your marriage to one another. Being that this will always remain a small business, having only two partners to depend on for its success, successful small business partners will tell you that flexibility is of utmost importance. Even though roles should be clearly established, the other partner must be flexible enough to fill in at a moments notice.
In establishing the roles, a successful business will draw upon the expertise of its partners. Know before hand who is better at certain tasks, such as bookkeeping (balancing the checkbook), manufacturing (generating income), building maintenance (lawn care and housekeeping), personnel training (helping the kids with their homework, though that may come later), and so on. Many of these duties will be shared, and certainly all of them should be discussed frequently at board meetings with the other partner so that, should the need arise for them to step into your territory, the transition will be smooth.
With roles established, every good business needs a good mission statement. So how do you create a mission statement for marriage? Simple. Focus on what you want your marriage to do and be, and then focus on the values and principles in which the doing or being are based. Here is an example for you to follow;
"Our mission is to be devoted as a family, to living our lives as a Christian family, focusing on the teachings of Christ. We will work together to strengthen our community through our active involvement in charities and Christian outreach programs. We will set strong examples for our children and will raise them with the proper amounts of nurturing and discipline. We are committed to considering each others feelings always and putting their needs above our own. We will give praise to the Lord each day for bringing us together."
Once you have your mission statement for your marriage, learn it. Recite it together each and every day until you know it by heart. Let others know what your mission statement says. Sharing it with friends and family will only serve to strengthen your resolve to follow it daily.
With the mission statement completed, now it's time to focus on short and long term goals. Remember, especially when you are first starting out, don't set your goals too high. Make your short term goals achievable rather quickly. This will set you, as a couple, into the habit of achieving your goals. Set goals both together and separately. For example, a husband who has never cooked a meal in his life, might have the short term goal of learning how to cook something nice for his wife, or how to launder her sweaters without shrinking them. A wife might have the short term goal of learning the difference between a power forward and a shooting guard. Together, you might have the short term goal of planting a flower bed or painting the bathroom.
Your long term goals should be more involved. Paying off a loan, making a career change or planning the ultimate vacation. Write these things down and go over them often. Adjust your goals as your lives change. This will also help you both keep the lines of communication open and you will find the reward in helping your beloved achieve a personal goal can be just as powerful as achieving one of your own goals in life.
Again, I must stress, keep your business plan flexible. Be prepared to make adjustments when necessary and make sure your partner knows that, when the need arises for you to take on more responsibilities for your business together, you are up for the task.
Marriage Mission Statement MISSIONS TRIPS
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