At some stage, we all wonder how we can create something that will live to last long after we are gone. How will you be remembered? And what impact will you have made?
These big questions tend to pop up in times of reflection around leaving a legacy. What a legacy means to you will be different to the next person. It often comes down to what you value and the principles you choose to live by.
Legacies may seem big, but they are small things that are done repeatedly. It doesn't necessarily be in the form of assets you leave behind. Legacies can be the time spent together, influencing someone, or memories that have impacted someone. So how can you start creating a legacy that matters?
Understand your why
When it comes to creating something that will last, understanding your why is crucial. It is what will keep you going when the going gets tough. Why is it important for you to leave a legacy and what does your legacy look like. Once you have an idea, it will be easier to plan your way to it. It will create a domino effect of setting goals and making changes that can contribute towards your goal. Rome wasn't built in one day. Be patient with yourself.
Choosing what matters
Did you know that leaving a legacy consists of four pillars? People choose to build legacies in the form of:
Looking back at your life you will find that many people have left a legacy in how you remember them. It can be a good legacy, but it can also be a bad one. Choosing what matters to you and building on it each day is what lasts. You may not have all the answers when you begin, but it will be worthwhile once you start. Set a goal, no matter how small, and aim to be consistent.
Start living your legacy
All legacies are trial and error. There will be days where you are winning and there will be days where you feel like giving up, but what makes a difference is those who continue to keep going even when the going gets tough. Remember that this is a journey that is best shared with those you love. Changing your mindset from living in the moment into living for a legacy changes how you live in each moment. You are the moment. Make the most of it.
