Dessert First: Part Five (of Six)
Part One: New view, new you: The power of a workation
Part Two: Dessert first: Putting fun before function
Part Three: How to build a strong community
Part Four: Too happy to be busy
When you’re surrounded by people from different walks of life, backgrounds, and cultures, you start to notice just how much the “same old” influences your daily life: the same media, news and local challenges. Conversations with someone whose reality is completely different can spark moments of clarity that feel downright revolutionary.
That’s exactly what happened to me in Greece.
I had one of those enlightening conversations with a new friend from Australia. As we strolled through our temporary home, we chatted about travel, kids, careers and all those typical topics you cover when you’re getting to know someone. But then, she casually turned to me and said something that stopped me in my tracks: “I’m here for a big life, you know?”
She said it with the same confidence and ease you might use to say, “I’m here for lunch.” There was no drama, no overthinking—just a simple declaration of her purpose. And here’s the kicker: She’s actually living it. She’s not waiting for the stars to align or her kids to grow up or her bank account to hit some magical number. She’s doing what’s important to her right now.
That moment got me thinking about how so many of us don’t make decisions that reflect what we truly believe about our lives. How often do we craft our professional mission statements, but forget to define what our personal mission is? My Australian friend wasn’t just talking about having a big life—she was making choices that aligned with that vision every day. Bold decisions. Courageous choices.
For years, I’ve said that belief drives action. So, what do you believe about your life? Are your day-to-day decisions aligning with that belief? Maybe you’re working hard now so you can retire early and spend your days exploring the world. Or perhaps, like my friend, you want to live boldly today. Whatever your personal mission statement is, the question is: are your actions supporting that mission?
Another lesson I learned from my Aussie pal is how powerful boundaries can be when they’re tied to your personal mission statement. She had this wonderfully direct way of saying, “I’m simply not available for that.”
For example, if her kids were demanding her attention when she was focused on an adult conversation or if her husband wasn’t holding up his domestic responsibilities she’d just say, “I’m simply not available for that.” She didn’t spend a lot of time debating over whether she was being rude or selfish, she simply stated her boundary and with that, they would have to find a new way forward.
It wasn’t harsh; it was confident and clear. If something didn’t align with her vision of a “big life” or wasn’t worth spending her emotional real estate on, she didn’t hesitate to opt out. No guilt, no explanations. Just a simple refusal to spend time or energy on things that didn’t serve her.
Observing someone live with that mindset was a revelation. It’s something so many of us struggle with—myself included. We get wrapped up in saying yes to things that drain us because we think we “should” or because we don’t want to disappoint anyone. But when you’re clear on your mission, saying no becomes less about rejection and more about alignment.
Imagine if we all spent as much time crafting our personal mission statement as we do creating professional ones? What would yours say? Would it reflect the life you’re actually living—or the one you hope to live someday?
Here’s a mini assignment: Write down your personal mission statement. Then, ask yourself what decisions you can make to align with it. And while you’re at it, think about what you’re not available for. Are there obligations, relationships, or distractions that don’t serve your mission? Start practicing the art of gently opting out.
One of my favorite things about my friend was how her actions always supported her belief. She didn’t let fear or uncertainty stop her from making bold decisions. That’s something we can all use a little more of in our own lives.
So, write your mission statement, define your boundaries, and align your actions. Life’s too short.
Do you have a personal mission statement? Please join me on LinkedIn and let’s continue the conversation.
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