Pages 67–72 of What Matters Most serve as a brief introduction to Part Two of the book, where the core process for discovering what matters most begins to take shape. Hyrum Smith draws a compelling parallel between the creation of the United States Constitution and the personal work readers are about to undertake.
At the Constitutional Convention, delegates carefully articulated the governing values and roles they believed essential for the new nation. To ensure clarity and shared understanding, they committed these to writing and distilled them into a concise, powerful mission statement: The Preamble to the Constitution. Every subsequent law in the United States has been evaluated for alignment with this foundational document, which reflects the core values and intended roles of the government and its people. Over time, as the nation evolved, the Constitution was amended—but its role as the guiding framework remained unchanged.
Smith explains that the same principle applies at the individual level. The process described in Part Two is not novel; it draws on timeless ideas and foundational principles used—consciously or unconsciously—by many who have left lasting legacies. Just as nations can draft a constitution, so can individuals. The result is a personal constitution: a clear, written expression of governing values, important roles, and life mission. This document need not use formal or lofty language. It should reflect the individual’s authentic personality, perspective, and feelings about life.
The heart of the process is captured in what Smith calls the “What Matters Most Tri-quation”:
What Matters Most = Roles + Values + Mission
These three elements are deeply interconnected:
– Roles — The various positions each person fills in life (some chosen, others assigned by relationships or circumstances).
– Governing Values — The core inner principles that guide decisions and behavior, especially as they relate to specific roles.
– Personal Mission — The overarching sense of purpose and direction for one’s life.
These three components interact dynamically. Roles influence values, values shape the sense of mission, and mission in turn clarifies which roles and values deserve priority. Smith likens the relationship to a three-legged stool: remove any one leg, and the structure becomes unstable. All three are required for balance and strength.
By identifying meaningful roles, surfacing the governing values connected to them, and articulating a personal mission statement, individuals create a practical blueprint for achieving greater harmony and purpose. This framework provides the stability needed to make intentional choices amid daily demands and competing priorities.
The pages close by emphasizing that this work is foundational. The chapters ahead will guide readers step by step through each element of the tri-quation, leading to a clearer understanding of personal identity and what truly matters most.
Questions for Reflection
1. When you think about the U.S. Constitution as a “national mission statement” built on shared values and roles, how does that analogy resonate with the idea of creating your own personal constitution?
2. Which of the three elements in the tri-quation—roles, governing values, or personal mission—do you feel most clear about right now, and which feels least defined?
3. Can you name one or two roles in your life that feel especially important to you? What core values seem to be tied to those roles?
4. If you were to draft a short “preamble” to your own life right now (even a rough version), what key ideas or commitments would you want to include?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below. In the next entry, the discussion will move into Chapter 4 (pages 73-81) where we’ll dive into identifying the roles you play in your life.
