It’s a question that crosses our minds when we think about how and what we contribute in different contexts e.g in work, family, community etc.A lot of times it’s simply “How do I want to be remembered?”
There is really nothing wrong with striving for excellence so you are always remembered in a positive light.But should it be your main motivation? Should it be the reason why you want to “change the world?”( pondering out loud here)
I am currently in a transition phase and been reflecting a lot on the above. It’s my opinion but I believe the way “legacy” is currently framed needs to be balanced with a healthy dose of humility.If we fail to do that “building legacy” begins to stray into the realms of egomania and narcissism.
It becomes more about an individual’s achievements rather than the outcomes for the collective.I have this thing about striving to leave situations,interactions and contexts better than I found it.But like most overdone strengths, it can become a weakness.
If I am not careful, it becomes less about making things better but how I have been “perceived” to have made things better.It becomes more about ME and less about the outcome/impact that I was striving for.
We see it all around us. Leaders more concerned with ideas that are “legacy driven” rather than what works best for their people.
So what I do think is a better metric? I think we should strive for IMPACT.
No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence
Martin Luther King Jnr
Impact seems a bit subjective. Sometimes it’s difficult to measure and doesn’t feel “tangible”. Legacy is often referenced in tangible and visible achievements e.g children,a business, material wealth, a new tool or invention, winning medals/competitions etc. I wouldn’t disagree that the achievements above are worthy of admiration but I also believe that the less quantitative elements of “leaving a legacy” are equally as important and worthy of mention.
See below a few ways I think we can gauge or assess the impact we could be making in the life of others.
🔸How we show up to and for the people we interact with every single day
🔸How we approach things that we might never get credit for
🔸By doing seemingly basic tasks WELL and CONSISTENTLY.
🔸By valuing new ideas AND the implementation of those ideas in equal measure.
Leaving a great legacy shouldn’t just be about being able to SAY you left a legacy. It should also be about improving outcomes and providing a better baseline for those you are passing the baton on to.
Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, always about the goal
Jeremy Bravo
All of the above is a reminder for me in this season. I share so it might you make you think about legacy slightly differently.
Photo credits- Shutterstock
Life thru my lens 