Rating: 
Summary: The Path
Review: I bought this book in hopes of getting insight into the revision of our company's mission statement. I was extreemly disapointed. The book is an antidotal series of mostly spiritual advise with little validation for much of the teachings.
While this may be quite helpful for individuals seeking a spiritual focus, I found almost no value in the book to help creat or revise a business mission statement for a non-profit company.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read!
Review: I could not put this book down - not even to do the exercises! Now I have to go back and do *that* to get the full benefit of the book. The Path is easy to read and chock full of wise advice based on that ancient book of wisdom, the Bible. But you don't have to be a believer in order to use the tools Beth Jones gives you for creating your person mission statement. This book is exceptional and will go in my permanent personal library.
Rating:
Summary: One of my top 3 recommendations of all time
Review: I didn't find the book very helpful. Part of its title is "creating your mission statement" yet less than a third of the book is devoted to accomplishing that. Among other things, Jones asks me to think about what my relatives wanted me to do with my life and what my parents wanted to do with theirs but didn't. My mission is about what I want to achieve with my life, not about what my relatives wanted me to achieve with it, not about what my parents didn't achieve with theirs. Furthermore, I think there are more rational ways to create a mission statement than picking exciting verbs and causes from some necessarily short lists. We are multi-dimensional and I don't see how I can create a mission statement in a short single sentence that encompasses all these dimensions yet still provides me with that focus to propel me forward. Certainly, like most of us, Jones has a family yet she offers no discussion of how one's family relates to one's mission. I need to look for other assistance to express that central part of me that I can use to govern my future actions.
Rating: 
Summary: I'll have to find something else
Review: I didn't find the book very helpful. Part of its title is "creating your mission statement" yet less than a third of the book is devoted to accomplishing that. Among other things, Jones asks me to think about what my relatives wanted me to do with my life and what my parents wanted to do with theirs but didn't. My mission is about what I want to achieve with my life, not about what my relatives wanted me to achieve with it, not about what my parents didn't achieve with theirs. Furthermore, I think there are more rational ways to create a mission statement than picking exciting verbs and causes from some necessarily short lists. We are multi-dimensional and I don't see how I can create a mission statement in a short single sentence that encompasses all these dimensions yet still provides me with that focus to propel me forward. Certainly, like most of us, Jones has a family yet she offers no discussion of how one's family relates to one's mission. I need to look for other assistance to express that central part of me that I can use to govern my future actions.
Rating: 
Summary: A soulful, non-intimidating approach to mission statements
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Working in an organization that helps people feel good about who they are and the work that they do - this book really hit home. The exercises were easy to understand and complete on my own. The book was concise and got to the point.The stories made it easy to relate to. There are several biblical stories and references which I usually tend to shy away friend, but found that a lot of times, they were used because they illustrated a point perfectly. Anyone interested in developing mission statements, personal or professional, can use this book as a great tool.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for focusing on what really matters to you.
Review: I was doing another program where I kept getting stuck on the goals section. What do I really want? This book helped me focus on the things that have mattered to me throughout my life..a remarkable thread throughout my life of "this is who I am". It amazed me how short and effective a mission statement can be..and it is helping me define my goals. I love this book!
Rating:
Summary: It May Change Your Life!
Review: If you are struggling with balance in your life and wondering who you are and where you are going than this is the book for you. Jones forces you to carefully analyze yourself and figure out what makes you tick and helps you realize your purpose on this planet along the way. Her theory is simple: come up with an all encompassing mission statement that represents everything about you (career,fun, etc.) and live by it. If what you are doing in your life doesn't fit the mission then modify your mission or change how you are living. A powerful read! Don't be surprised if this book changes your life or at least your perspective of it. It changed mine and gave me the courage and guts to bail out of corporate America and do what I am truly passionate about.
Rating:
Summary: One of my top 3 recommendations of all time
Review: If you do it right, this book will change your life. Next to SIMPLE ABUNDANCE and THE BIBLE, there are few books with that power and influence. I've read this book 20+ times, always with the idea that I can improve on what I learned the times before. If you are looking for a way to set goals in your life in a structured, yet personal, way....this is the place to start. It is geared toward everyone, but women seem to find it more applicable.
Rating:
Summary: Religious Themes and yet Very Practical
Review: In the book the path, Ms. Jones demonstrates how "People with clearly defined missions have always led those who haven't any. You are either living your mission or you are living someone else's." Although Ms. Jones reaches into the historical past of Judeo-Christian tradition for many of her examples, she also gives many personal and contemporary accounts. The religious references may put off some non-religious readers, yet the book still has many powerful exercises that do help you create a powerful mission statement. Ms. Jones is humorous at times which helps to drive home her points. One of my favorites is when she is making the case for the power behind having a clear mission statement. "I often visualize heaven as being like a catalog fulfillment center, full of angels reading requests. 'This one reads, 'I want to be happy in the future', says Gabriel. 'What exactly does that mean?' asks Michael. 'I do not know. What should I do with it?' asks Gabriel. 'Put it in the hold file, with all the rest. Someday maybe these humans will learn to be specific," sighs Michael, as he marks yet another request incomplete". The heart of the book is the chapter entitled "Creating the Vision Statement." Here she created two very practical sets of exercises. One for individuals and the other for groups/organizations. Each question is designed to help you create a clearer vision of what you want thus helping you to attract, manifest and get clear about "the path" you want to follow. Rick's Purpose Ratings
Relevance of exercises10
"Woo Woo" scale*5
It makes a good case for purpose8
Good for individuals10
Good for groups8
Overall8.2
*Indicates how mainstream the book is. 1 = Very far out, strap on your astral helmets, 10 = Practical and contemporary, a great book for a skeptic like Archie Bunker. I highly recommend her book.
Rating:
Summary: The Vision part was a clear life changer for me
Review: It is one thing to have goals, or even a mission. Maybe, however, it is too easy to get trapped into doing what we think we "should" do without first considering what is truly best for us. The vision element of this book encourages the reader to consider (borrowing from Frost) both what we need and what we love. As a result of thoughtful reading of this book it is not unreasonable to expect you will have a clearer sense of what delights you in life and how that can lead to fulfilling your needs and the needs of others around you. One suggestion, read it first. Don't do the exercises. Let the book settle in then go back and do the exercises. A reader might get discouraged with "the work" and miss the point or never finish if the exercises are done on the first read. But, by all means, if the reading strikes a chord, do the work!
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