What is the difference between the vision, mission?

A mission explains the purpose of a companys existence or what it wants to do in the present, whereas the vision includes what it wants to be in the future.

A Vision Statement:

• Defines the optimal desired future state - the mental picture - of what an organization wants to achieve over time;
• Provides guidance and inspiration as to what an organization is focused on achieving in five, ten, or more years;
• Functions as the "north star" - it is what all employees understand their work every day ultimately contributes towards accomplishing over the long term; and,
• Is written succinctly in an inspirational manner that makes it easy for all employees to repeat it at any given time.

A Mission statement:

• Defines the present state or purpose of an organization;
• Answers three questions about why an organization exists -

WHAT it does;WHO it does it for; andHOW it does what it does.

• Is written succinctly in the form of a sentence or two, but for a shorter timeframe (one to three years) than a Vision statement; and,
• Is something that all employees should be able to articulate upon request.

Vision is where the company wants it to be and Mission is the action to be carried out by the company so that the vision can be attainable.

A vision will help you put your mission into practice. However, if you dont have a vision, you can have a goal (which is a time bound vision) which a mission will also be needed to put in practice.

A mission can be as simple as steps to implement ideas (not always vision).

The main difference is vision is qualitative as a mission is qualitative whilst being also quantitative. You cannot produce a quality chart on a vision but you can on a mission.

Finally, a vision is subjective to the visionnary, a mission can be standardised across sectors or profession

I was once told "Without a Vision you have no Mission to achieve".

To me the difference is quite clear. You can not plot a path to success - or your mission - without a clear and planned vision of what you want to achieve in your mission - you need a plan. 

Vision is a broad word and not achievable in reality but mission is achievable.

Thanks for invitation, 

Vision: is the articulation of the image, values, direction and goals that will guide the future of the organization.

Whereas,

Mission: is the main purpose of establishing the organization or answering the following main questions:

1- What the is main purpose of establishing the organization?

2- What are the the organization's ethics?

3- What is the main strategy and its objectives?

4- What are the main routing for achieving targets? 

Thanks 

Awaiting for more answers from. Colleagues.