How I’m Thinking About Legacy (And Why You Should Too)

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a topic that’s both simple and incredibly complex: legacy.

On the surface, we all know what it means to want to leave a mark on the world, to create something that lasts beyond us.

But there’s a deeper side to legacy that often goes unnoticed, and it’s something I want to share with you.

Here’s what I’ve come to understand about legacy, and why I believe it’s worth your time to reflect on.

Watch the full video on YouTube where I gave a deep dive training on this topic.

1. Does Healthy Ego Exist?

Let’s start with something that might sound a little surprising: to build a legacy, you need a “healthy ego.”

Think about it—believing that you can change the world requires a certain amount of self-confidence. But this isn’t about being arrogant or self-centered.

It’s about acknowledging that each of us has a unique calling—a purpose that we’re meant to fulfill.

I’ve learned that the key is balance. Ego can drive us to achieve, but it can also become a barrier if we let it take over.

The trick is to use our ego as fuel without letting it control us.

We don’t need to eliminate our ego; we need to manage it, so it supports our mission without overshadowing it.

This balance has been essential in my own journey, and I believe it’s something everyone should consider.

2. Legacy Goes Beyond Recognition

I’ll never forget a conversation I heard between Oprah and Maya Angelou.

Oprah thought her legacy was tied to her television show, her network, and the recognition she’d achieved.

But Maya offered a powerful reminder—she told Oprah that her true legacy is in the lives she’s touched, the people she’ll never meet who were changed by her work.

This changed my perspective on legacy. It’s not about the accolades, the awards, or even the praise we receive.

True legacy is about the quiet impact we make on people we may never meet. It’s about planting seeds today that might grow into trees long after we’re gone.

That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind—not one measured by numbers or fame, but by the positive ripple effect my actions create in the world.

3. What An Encounter With a Bear Taught Me

A personal experience taught me a valuable lesson about patience. While I was in Alaska, I found myself up close with a bear, watching as it stood calmly in a river, waiting for fish.

This patience, this ability to stay still and trust that what you need will come, struck me as a powerful metaphor for legacy-building.

Creating a legacy is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. It requires showing up consistently, even when progress is slow, and trusting that the seeds you plant today will bear fruit in time.

Just like those bears, we need to learn the value of patience.

We need to focus on the long-term, even when the short-term doesn’t seem to deliver immediate results.

4. Aligning Today’s Actions with Tomorrow’s Legacy

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is this: if you want to build a legacy, you have to align your daily actions with your long-term vision.

This means asking yourself tough questions:

Are my choices today building the legacy I want to leave? If my time were up tomorrow, would I be proud of what I’ve done?

This has been a game-changer for me. It’s so easy to chase short-term gains, but building a legacy requires long-term thinking.

It’s about making decisions today that might not pay off immediately but will lead to a greater impact in the future.

This perspective has helped me stay focused on what really matters, even when the path is challenging.

Why This Matters—And Why It Should Matter to You

Legacy isn’t just about achieving success or accumulating wealth.

It’s about using our time, talents, and resources to create something that will outlive us. In a world that often celebrates instant gratification and status, I believe this perspective is more important than ever.

It’s about shifting our focus from self-centered goals to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to watch the full video on YouTube, where I dive deeper into these ideas.

It’s a chance to reflect on your own path and start thinking about the impact you want to leave behind.

Remember, legacy isn’t built overnight—it’s shaped by the choices we make every single day. I hope you’ll join me in this journey of creating something that lasts.

Let me know what your biggest takeaways were from this article, I'd love to hear from you!