Leave your Mark (Everyday)

There is an innate desire in all humans to be remembered for who they are. To be the first, the best or the only, and to accumulate the highest of awards and accolades. This inkling for commemoration could be looked at as a distorted way of seeking immortality. After all, it has always been man’s dream to beat this undeniable fate awaiting him at the end of the line.

People often talk about leaving a legacy that embodies their life’s work and that has a lasting impact on those it touches. It could be a successful business they built, an inspirational art form they created or an educational body of work that can be evoked over generations. Such a feat demands passion and hard work over a long period of time. But for the everyday person, there is another way to be remembered. A more human way that pivots on your day-to-day interactions with those around you and that I can argue would have a deeper effect. You may call it your brand, or your reputation; I call it your “Mark”. And not like the letter Z in the infamous Zorro films. Far less subtle than that, and to a degree, one that can be left unconsciously by both giver and receiver.

If you examine your relationships with family, friends and coworkers, you will find signs of this “Mark” everywhere. It’s a reflection of your exchanges and reactions and a mirror of how those people perceive you, feel about you and what you represent to them. While this is not a call against individuality, you cannot argue the fact that our lives are enriched (or blemished) through human connections. Personally, I worry more about what I leave behind at the end of the day as equally as what I would at the end a lifetime; for whatever personal achievements you might attain, you should persistently ask whether you have actually bettered the lives of those you care about.

For this mark to be imprinted, there are three essential qualities that need to co-exist:

Be Genuine:

In a world where we are influenced everyday by people’s posts on social media and unwavering opinions about the most minute events; it is not difficult to be swayed and to fall in the pattern. If you look at the effect this has on one’s general disposition towards others, you will find a glaring lack of originality. To make matters worse, this creates an absence of trust in others’ words and actions. There is therefore a dire need for a person to be genuine in his communications, discourses and his gestures towards others. There is also no need to emulate the behaviors of others or adopt their outlooks on life. As Oscar Wilde has so eloquently put it: “Be yourself; everyone else is taken”.

Be Considerate:

Stresses of life aside, there is an increasing level of anxiety and worry that people are suffering from on a daily basis. The first refuge that someone in this situation hurries towards is usually their family or friends. Being considerate is realized by way of giving the time to actively listen to someone’s conversation and being a willing contributor to it; as well as by applying the proper filters in your responses to crises and having the required composure to respond appropriately. This translates into having compassion towards other mishaps; which is different from having empathy towards their feelings, as it implies the readiness to take action that may alleviate their pain or help them in a challenging endeavor.

Be Memorable:

You can only be memorable by remaining genuine and considerate in your interactions. Involuntarily, we find ourselves recalling the positive motivation we received from a colleague or the comforting advice a friend. Being memorable also translates through the quality of the work you do and the uniqueness you instinctively put into it. Through eloquence and clarity in your communication, you can convey ideas, thoughts and opinions clearly so as to avoid misunderstandings and for your words to be remembered for what they deserve to be.

In a disconnected world brought down by the weight of a pandemic, these three qualities are a sure way to strengthen relationships, even if virtual, and to forge enduring new ones. Model yourself upon them and they will help you build your brand, strengthen your reputation and leave that mark in the hearts and minds of those who matter most.