There is a saying that suggests that “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got.” This sums up the tendency we have of doing the same thing over and over, even when we know it is not working. This is why the development of personal vision and mission statements are important. Once identified, they lead an individual or organization in a specific direction. They help exclude endeavors that do not correspond with the vision and mission statement as well as help identify those that do. Another guiding factor is the identification of values. Identifying values can help the individual think through the question of what forms the foundation for their lives and what makes their lives meaningful. As an organization, identifying shared values will not only bring the organization together in the identification of those values, but will guide it through processes of hiring, program development and the allocation of organization resources.