LEGACY: It’s All About the Little Things

Confident business leader, business team meeting conference in office, The senior executive working and discussing new project investment plan with Secretary and strategy in business profit.

Some things never cease to amaze me. I speak with entrepreneurs, executives, and businesspeople every day and have concluded that many lack the skills or drive to plan their day, let alone their lives. This neglected skill is what drives 80-hour workweeks and dull lives. 

I’m not talking about anything complicated here. It’s not very complex to ask yourself, “What do I want to do tomorrow?” 

The question gets a bit more complex when you ask yourself, “What is it I want to do tomorrow, AND what are the consequences if I don’t do it?” 

The question becomes very complicated when you ask yourself, ‘What am I going to do tomorrow that has consequences and holds some meaning?”

Ooh, baby, did that last question strike a nerve? This conversation goes well beyond time and priority management, which are essential life and business skills. No, what I’m talking about is way beyond those issues. I’m talking about leaving a legacy. 

 How many times in the last week, month, or year, for that matter, have you considered your LEGACY while on this planet? Everything you do or say, every action you take, contributes to your legacy in life. Merriam-Webster defines legacy as “A lasting impact in the way a person will be remembered for generations to come. Legacy is the positive impact your life has on other people, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.”

Your legacy is the sum of personal values, accomplishments, and actions that resonate with the people around you. Ultimately, the legacy we leave behind will be shaped by our actions every day. 

Your actions define you. 

Will your children say, “Oh, he was a good dad, but he worked all the time. We didn’t see him much.” That is a legacy for some. 

We need to be consciously aware, every day, of the impact we can have on every single person we come into contact with. You can make a massive difference in the littlest ways. We can make a difference simply in how we walk, smile, talk, and the tone of our voice. For some people, your simple smile can change the tone of their day. Simple words of hope can, in turn, give hope to someone who is struggling. Your legacy does not need to be some significant, public accomplishment. Most enduring legacies are built on simple, consistent positive behavior. 

This little test might really mess with some of you, but bear with me. As a Master Business Coach, I work with many individuals who have never considered their legacy. The more serious individuals are at least trying to figure out their legacy. 

Here’s a great way to get started.

 It’s a fact that we won’t be around forever. So, when that day comes, and the world is asked about their thoughts about you, what are they going to say?  Now, for many, this could be a scary thought. Will people say they were a great father, a good listener, a hard worker, a great leader, and a boss who was always there to help? Or will they say they were a workaholic and a real jerk? 

Your legacy will be reflected in what people say. The real question now becomes, what do you want people to say about you when you’re gone? My grandfather’s legacy was one that I have tried to emulate. He taught me the value of hard work, and I never once heard him say anything negative about anyone. And he was one of the most respected men in our small farming community. In turn, I had an uncle who was known as an angry, cold, and cantankerous person. He was known for being a difficult person to be around. 

Begin today to clarify this one question: What do I want to be remembered for?  Do this with clarity and honesty, and you’re on the way to changing what you do every day and how you do it. 

However, if you’re happy and satisfied with the way things are right now, that’s ok. If you don’t want to make a difference, to be a positive example, that’s your choice. But understand that at some point in life, you may find yourself relegated to the bleachers with all the other people who are whining about how life turned out. 

Remember, legacy is about the little things you do and say. And someone is always watching.