“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

Reading this nearly two decades later, I cringe that I thought it was appropriate to use Hebrews 6:12 as a mission statement for a nonprofit program, where the goal was to teach young women about finances. The word “imitate” makes me wince, as it means one cannot be their own authentic self. Those words were not what I was trying to articulate. Looking back, I honestly don’t know why they stood out to me. Reading them now they sound judgmental and go against my clinical philosophy of “Meeting an individual where they are at.” What I know for sure is that for a budget to work, an individual must tailor it to their lifestyle. The best way I learned to help others with their finances is to ask, “What do you value?”  “What is important to you?” Regarding creating a mission statement, one should remember a good mission statement should surprise and inspire your client and transform your business.