Building a Legacy

I had no clue who Steve Jobs (or Apple) was until my cousin showed me her new iPhone.

My first reaction was, "Did you scrape the other half of the logo?"

Today, ALL of my nieces and nephews have more than one Apple products. A company with a $2.1 trillion market cap, that's Apple - the legacy of Steve Jobs.

Another drop-out with an outrageous goal, but a very clear vision. He knew exactly where he was going with the company, and it's products. And that's when clarity became his biggest ally.

So let me ask you:

How clear is your vision.. for yourself?

Let's talk about your legacy.

What Is A Legacy?

Some define legacy as fortune, or inheritance that is passed on to the next generations.

The legacy I am referring to are the highlights of your career and shared memories in your life, which people will remember you for.

They say in our final moments in life, people most regret the things they didn't do.

Then, how do we become more deliberate to define what legacy we want to leave behind?

Being Proactive About Your Legacy

Real leaders are often remembered for the change they brought upon for their followers.

When I say the name Gandhi, Lincoln or Mandela - what do you think of? Perhaps, the feeling of freedom, justice or independence?

These iconic figures became immortal because of their sacrifices, and the vision they had that led to change. Realistically, you and I may never come close to Gandhi, Lincoln, Mandela or other legends.

But we can leave our own footprint in our own ways. If you are proactive in planting the seeds early, you can shape a vision.

Once you start to act upon it, you will leave a tangible contribution for others to benefit from.

What Is A Legacy Statement?

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

What if Martin Luther King Jr. had never uttered those words?

His message changed lives for good, and people distinctly remember his infamous 'I have a dream' speech. If you listen to his speech, you'll find how clearly he felt his vision.

A legacy statement does exactly that. It helps portray your beliefs, principles, and drivers to others very explicitly in words. Because when you craft & share a clear legacy statement with others, they are more likely to join you in this journey.

Here Are 5 Questions To Start Thinking About Your Legacy Statement:

Question # 1. What is your ultimate purpose in life?

Question # 2. How will this purpose benefit the people you care about / followers?

Question # 3. How do you plan to accomplish this goal?

Question # 4. What is one thing you would wish upon for others?

Question # 5. What would you want to be known for centuries into the future? And why?

Write down the first thing that comes to mind as you answer these questions, and formulate a summary legacy statement.

One Final Thought

The most intentional leaders standout from the crowd. They move mountains, and change the world with their vision. With the power of words, and with the influence of will.

And in that journey, having a clear vision makes all the difference.

Imagine how your vision can move the world, or change a single life.

When you write down your purpose, and act on it everyday until it becomes a reality - magic happens

My Question to YOU: What would you want to be remembered for?

I look forward to your thoughts below - @WahidChowdhury.

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P.S. - Check out more of my articles in My Library of Contents

Shout out for the article suggestion: Nhan Tran, Christopher Kennedy, Claudia Pilar, Madelyn Alsace, Ernie Tilton, Tasdith Rahman, Tony Lattimer, Muntasir Rahim, Bellal E., Dominic King