24 Ways in Which Everyday People Can Build Inspiring Legacies

By Ruzanna Hernandez, Ed.D.

· If you were to pass away next week suddenly and unexpectedly, do you think those you leave behind will be inspired by the life you led?

· Do you think celebrities are the only ones who build and pass on a legacy, or is it something we should all aspire to do?

· Have you heard stories from your parents and grandparents about some of your ancestors who did amazing things before they died? Do their stories inspire you to think about what you want to leave behind when it is your time to depart from this life?

If these questions intrigue you, keep reading!

What is legacy?

According to Merriam-Webster.com the definition of legacy can be something transmitted by or received from an ancestor from the past. In the old days, legacy used to be gifts or money that one generation would leave for another within families. The definition has changed somewhat over the years. It does not have to be money or gifts that one generation leaves for the proceeding generation; it can be what you did to help them remember you.

It is common to think of famous people and celebrities when thinking about great legacies. Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Marie Curie, Martin Luther King, Junior, and others, we think of their inspiring stories. We think of their actions and heroism that excites us and get us to think about something we would want to do for the greater good. A legacy is about the actions that people take to be remembered by in future generations. 

Legacy is for Anyone and Everyone

People of all walks of life can think about the legacy they are going to leave behind after they are gone. Those who are rich and famous and pass away may leave a legacy for the masses to remember them by, like John F. Kennedy, Sean Connery, or Aretha Franklin. Their words, their actions, music, and other attributes will leave a lasting impact upon everyone. Can people who are not rich, not politically active, nor famous also leave a legacy? The answer is yes, absolutely. 

It is never too late to leave an impact upon the lives of others, even if it is just a small circle of friends and family. Think in terms of a eulogy; what can be said about you that would inspire the members of the audience there to pay their respects to you? Have you accomplished deeds and acts that will inspire and motivate those who are present to go out and pay it forward? 

The Statistics

According to Merrill Lynch, one of the top investment management companies in the world:

· 75% of American over the age of 55 say having a positive impact on society is the definition of life well lived. Only 10% say life well lived is defined by the accumulation of wealth.

· 69% of Americans say they want to be remembered for the memories they have shared with loved ones, whereas only 9% say they want to be remembered by career success, and only 4% say they want to be remembered for their accumulated wealth.

· 59% of Americans in this study shared that life lessons and values were the most important part of their legacy.

The habits, the values, and the principles you live by could affect the generations to come. Even if you do not have children of your own, the stories, actions, and words may still impact others – even if you touched their lives for a moment in time. 

Have you caught yourself bragging to your friends about someone in your family who:

· Came to the US generations ago with empty pockets and managed to start a business, purchase a home, and send his 3 kids to college?

· Was born with a physical disability but did not let that stop her from running 2 marathons each year?

· Saved money her entire life and before dying, donated it all to the local children’s hospital?

· Was a political prisoner for 20 years of his life and after being released, authored several books?

These situations do not describe the rich and famous; they describe people who live nobly, with humility, through perseverance, strong will to succeed, and determination.

24 Specific and Actionable Ways to Start Building a Legacy

If you are an adult, whether you are in your twenties, or forties, or sixties, it is never too early or too late to think about legacy. The first step must be to figure out what your passions are – what you enjoy most in life. Your passions in life are often intertwined with your values. The list below involves 24 specific and actionable ways you can start building a legacy, depending on your passions in life. 

Step 1: They all involve getting a planner! Without a planner, there will be no actionable steps in achieving your goals. 

Step 2: Choose a few goals. Most people can work or 3 to 5 long-term goals at one time. Then, write down a few action plans in your planner for those goals (either once a month, or once every two months, once every three months, etc.)

Step 3: Keep monitoring your planner and crossing off those action plans as they take place.

Writing in the planner and tracking progress will help you actually achieve your goals and strategies in an organized and systematic way.

1. Start preparing to run a marathon within the next two years. Prove to yourself and others that you can achieve something grand if you set your mind to it. 

*In your planner, write down steps you can take each week to start getting ready.

2. Finish your degree – whether it is a bachelor’s, a master’s, or a doctoral degree. Show your friends and family the power of perseverance and that no matter how old a person is, it is not too late to pursue an educational goal.

*Take out your planner and calendar and set an end goal – by when you want to finish, then work backwards to figure out what steps you need to take each week and each month to make this goal a reality.

3. Start volunteering at an organization that means something to you, like the local animal shelter or Habitat for Humanity. If time is a huge factor in your life, volunteer only once a month, or once every three months. You will show your close group of friends and family the importance of giving back.

*Write in your planner how often you can do this, once every quarter, once every 6 months, once each year, etc.

4. Figure out what your ideal weight is and start eating healthier and exercising. Doing this will help motivate others to do the same!

*Start making plans in your calendar – write action steps each week you are willing to take to make this happen to cross off as they get accomplished.

5. Write a book or journal your life’s story. Even if it does not get published, you will leave behind your life’s lessons to your generations that follow.

Write a few pages each week starting this week!

6. If you have always dreamed of being your own boss, then start a side business! It could grow over time and can generate enough income for you to quit your job. If it does not grow as much, at least you would generate some extra income and inspire others around you to pursue their dreams and goals like you did!

* Sit down today and write down everything you need to do to make this happen within the next 6 months to 1 year. 

7. Start setting specific travel goals, like traveling to 5 countries over the next 10 years. It is important to experience, first-hand, how people live in countries abroad – what they eat, what they listen to, how they live, where they work, etc. As uncomfortable as traveling may be, it will help open your eyes to how human beings function around the world and give you a sense of admiration and appreciation in life. Doing this will help prove to your friends and family the importance of going out of their comfort zone to feel and experience things in-person. 

*Choose 5 counties, and write down exactly how much money you will need to go on each trip, how much time will be needed, etc. It starts with researching and planning!

 8. Start creating a small home library. If reading is important to you, create a small library at home and become an avid reader (as much time as you can afford to give to reading each day). Reading is incredibly powerful for self-development. One day, the books you leave behind may be enjoyed by others you left behind who can also pursue reading as a passion.

*You can start by buying 1 book each month, reading it, and storing in a bookshelf.

9. Do one family event each month, like having a big barbeque, or camping, or going to a museum. If you want to leave a legacy of being remembered as a person who gave time and inspiration to his or her family, planning a monthly event in a planner or calendar is a priority.

*Plan these days ahead in your calendar and planner so family members and friends can do the same.

10. Rescue animals by either adopting them from a shelter or donating to conservancy groups. If animals are your passion, you will show the future generations the importance of caring for other living creatures on earth. 

*Start the process of rescuing by researching and writing down plans: When will the first adopt take place, ideally? What will you need? How much money will it cost? Write the steps and action plans to start preparing.

11. Build things at home, like a doghouse, or a chest, or shoe rack, especially if you are not naturally inclined to make things with your hands. Friends and family will remember you as the person as a creator and a builder. It might inspire them to do the same!

*In your planner, write down by when you want to finish, what items you will need, and how much time each week you can give to the project.

12. Take on a home improvement project, especially if you are passionate about doing things yourself and do not work in construction. You will inspire others to take on large tasks that they might not necessarily be comfortable to try. It will inspire and motivate them to take on large projects in life and try and try!

*Start with researching what you will need – supplies, time, money, and by when you want to finish, what items you will need, and how much time each week you can give to the project.

13. Start a new hobby, especially if you are passionate about something.  This can be scrapbooking, woodworking, building small robots, knitting, gardening, etc. The work you leave behind will be remembered for generations to come and inspire others to tap into their creative side.

*Plan as much as possible. For example, by when do you want to have the first blanket finished? By when do you want to have the first scrapbook completed? What will the theme be? 

14. If work is important to you, keep working even after you retire! If work is what helps your mind and body active, keep doing it, even if it involves volunteering or doing something on a part-time basis. You will teach others the value of work and giving back when you are gone.

*Write down in your planner how often you want to work and in what line of work – whether it is paid work or volunteering. The more you plan with specific actions, the more clarity and focus you will have.

15. Uplift others by being positive and encouraging. If you know someone is going through a rough time, reach out to them and share your stories with them. Be vulnerable to show that life has been tough for you at times, but you have persisted and persevered. Be their guiding light through what they are going through in life. You will leave a lasting impression and be remembered for helping them in their time of need. 

*Make it an effort to reach out to people around you who may be going through a rough patch in life immediately via email, or text, phone call, or sending a card.

16. Donate money to causes, even if it is small amounts, like libraries, shelters, conservation efforts around the globe, etc. Doing this will inspire others around you to also be generous and give back to causes that matter.

*Write in your planner or calendar to do this once every 3 months, 6 months, or even just once each year. 

17. If cultivating relationships is the most important thing to you, write in your planner to reach out to 2 to 5 people in your contact list each month (different ones each month). Talk to them, encourage them, and simply check in on their well-being. Old friends are the best friends. You will inspire them to also maintain that human connection long after you are gone. Use a form to remind yourself to get in touch with contacts from the past and network. 

18. Do a once-a-year cleaning and decluttering project at work, at home, garage, patio, or yard. Doing so will help you relieve some stress by living more simply and orderly. You will inspire others to do the same, and to understand the importance of living with more simplicity and minimalism.

*Write in your calendar which month of the year you plan on doing this and some precise action steps involved to actually get the decluttering and cleaning project completed.

19. If your spirituality and faith is most important to you, take out your planner and write down 3 things you can do each year to live with this passion. You can write down how much you can donate to your organization each year, if you want to serve as a volunteer at some capacity, if you want to organize an event at your organization, etc. Doing this will help the future generations value what you gave to the causes in which you believed in, and how your passion was your spiritual enlightenment.

*Write down in your planner precise action steps you can take toward achieving your spiritual goals each year. 

20. If music and art is your passion, start learning how to play an instrument. It is never too late to learn. You can teach those around you the importance of pursuing passions and artistic creativity no matter how old a person is.

*Write down what instruments you are interested in learning to play and how much time you can dedicate each week to this passion.

21. If you have a passion for something and want to teach others how to do it, like salsa dancing, hair styling, painting, you can start making videos to post them online! You can help thousands of viewers learn from you and pursue the same passions by watching your videos.

*Write down the items you will need to make the videos in your planner and how often you want to make them – once each month, once every two weeks, once each week, etc. You can start by researching ways to make videos, first.

22. If you love making food, once a month make a large meal, let friends, family, neighbors know to come by and pick up a plateful to take home and enjoy! They will remember your delicious foods and be inspired to also do something special for others during their lives.

*In your calendar, write down exactly when you want to do each month to start planning ahead and organizing what you will need, who you will contact, and so on.

23. Practice gratitude by strategically writing in your planner or calendar to send a “thank you” note, or text, or email to someone who has impacted you in a positive way. One good deed often leads to another. By you expressing gratitude to people, they, in turn, will do the same for others. You can express gratitude to your neighbor, gardener, teacher from the past, someone at church or synagogue, a family member, or anyone else who has done something to impact you positively.

24. If you feel stuck in your position at work, start taking steps toward making a change – either within the same organization or a different organization. Learn the skills necessary and earn the certificates to get a promotion. Change is not easy but go for it. You will show your circle of friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances that if they do not like some aspect of their lives, they can make change their situations by being brave and intentional.

*Write down what you want to do to make the job or career change, and specific actions you need to take to get there within 6 months, or 1 year. For example, you can write down every Saturday to search for jobs for 2 hours. You can take a class to become certified. You can update your resume and show it to 2 or 3 professionals for advice. Taking specific action steps and monitoring them will help bring forth the changes you desire. 

Conclusion

Leaving an impact upon others and inspiring those who are close to you can be the legacy you leave behind. Teach them the importance of living life well. 

Life well-lived includes 

1) focusing on what matters,

2) learning people skills,

3) working from a place of self-confidence and building self-esteem,

4) being humble,

5) having humility, 

6) adapting,

7) and cultivating the relationships you have built over the years.

Plan and set goals in an organized and efficient manner to do the things you want to achieve in your life. If there are systems for getting things done, we will live fully and achieve everything we set out to do in our lives. 

Think about what you need to do in the time you have left to live to inspire, motivate, and encourage others to live by some of your best examples.  

About the Author

Ruzanna Hernandez is an educator, public school administrator, writer, blogger, mentor, leader, and business owner. She is the writer of efficiencyandorganization.com, a website that provides steps, strategies, tips, and techniques for living every aspect of life in an organized and efficient manner to be able to achieve more. After her father’s sudden death at the age of 43, Hernandez started thinking about what it means to live a fulfilled life, and the importance of leaving a legacy. The main reason for creating her website and authoring books that are in the process of being published is to impact others in as many positive ways as possible. To learn more about her story, please visit ruzannahernandez.com.