Unlock Your Legacy: A Comprehensive Checklist for Mid-lifers

"Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see." – Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Hamilton"

A Reality Check

Statistics show a growing awareness among mid-lifers, especially Gen Xers, about the importance of legacy. A study by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave found that 69% of individuals see their legacy as more than the money they leave behind; it's about the life lessons, values, and personal stories they pass on. Yet, despite this awareness, many of us haven't taken concrete steps to define or act on our legacy aspirations. Ouch...

Regret is a powerful motivator. The fear of reaching our later years with a list of "what ifs" and "if onlys" can be paralyzing. If we don't actively plan and work towards our legacy, we risk leaving a story half-told, potential unmet, and relationships not fully nurtured.

"Time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me," The Rolling Stones

Now Is The Time - ?Purpose and Impact

For those of us nestled comfortably in the Gen X bracket, the concept of legacy might seem distant, something our parents worry about. But as we navigate the complexities of midlife, the question of what we're leaving behind suddenly feels urgent. The ticking clock isn't just a metaphor—it's a reminder that the time to act is now.

The urgency isn't just about our age; it's about the impact we can have today. The choices we make, the love we share, and the wisdom we impart all weave together to form the legacy we leave behind. As Gen Xers, we're in a unique position to influence the next generation, drive social change, and contribute to a world that reflects our values.

If we agree that the future is shaped by our actions today – how do we make it count, on top of the literal 2 million other things we are worried about, working on, thinking we will do, etc.

You like adventure, right?! Same here! So...what if we think about starting to define and build our legacy as our own adventure, as about carving out meaning in the everyday and ensuring that our impact echoes through generations to come?

We can still have some fear that we are starting late – and move through this by actively planning and working towards ensuring that our life's work, our values, and our love continues to influence the world long after we're gone. And isn't extending that influence far beyond our time an adventure worth embarking on?

Regret is Heavy

Mid-lifers like us who don't actively plan for our legacy may face several common regrets later in life and realize too late that our impact on the world or our community might not be as profound as we had hoped. Specifically -

1. Lack of Purposeful Living: Feeling that life has been lived according to someone else’s expectations or societal norms, rather than in alignment with our own values and purpose. This can lead to a sense of living a life that wasn’t truly ours.
2. Unrealized Potential: Regret over not fully exploring or realizing our potential, whether in our careers, personal passions, or talents. Regret over not documenting or sharing our life stories, lessons learned, and wisdom gained. This includes not leaving behind a tangible legacy for future generations to learn from and be inspired by.
3. Lack of Impact: Feeling that we haven't made a significant impact on the world, our community, or even within our own families.
4. Missed Connections: Regret over not building deeper, more meaningful relationships with family, friends, and community members. Legacy is often about the lives we touch and the difference we make in others' lives, and missed opportunities for connection can be a source of regret.
5. Inaction Due to Fear: Regret over letting fear of failure or judgment prevent us from taking bold steps toward building a meaningful legacy. Realizing too late that embracing vulnerability could have led to greater fulfillment.

But I’m No Parks, Earhart, Ginsburg, Gandhi or King!

We all know leaders who have left indelible marks on history, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Abraham Lincoln – while they are remarkably different, they do share core characteristics that transcend their individual contexts and contribute to their lasting legacies.

Do you see these characteristics in yourself?

1. Visionary Thinking: These leaders had the ability to see beyond the immediate, envisioning a future vastly different from their present. Their visions were compelling and inclusive, inspiring others to join them in pursuit of a common goal. Gandhi's vision of nonviolent resistance, MLK's dream of racial equality, and Lincoln's commitment to a united nation free of slavery all exemplify this trait.
2. Unwavering Commitment: Each leader demonstrated an unshakeable commitment to their cause, often in the face of immense challenges and opposition. Their dedication was not just to an idea but to a principle of justice or humanity, driving them to persevere even when the odds were against them. This commitment often required personal sacrifices, underlining their deep belief in their missions.
3. Empathy and Inclusivity: A profound sense of empathy allowed these leaders to connect with people across diverse backgrounds, understanding their struggles and aspirations. They advocated for inclusivity, striving to ensure that their movements and messages resonated with and included all segments of society, not just a privileged few.
4. Moral Integrity: Gandhi, MLK, and Lincoln are remembered not just for what they achieved but how they achieved it. Their methods were rooted in ethical principles and moral integrity, setting standards for leadership behavior. Their adherence to values in the face of temptation or expedience lent them credibility and moral authority, making their leadership and messages even more powerful.
5. Ability to Mobilize and Inspire: These leaders had a unique ability to mobilize people around their vision, inspiring them to action. Through their speeches, writings, and personal examples, they could communicate complex ideas in ways that motivated others to join their cause. Their leadership galvanized movements that brought about significant social and political changes.

These characteristics combined in unique ways in each leader, driven by their individual personalities, the specific challenges they faced, and the historical contexts in which they lived. Yet, it is these core qualities that helped them leave legacies that continue to inspire and guide generations long after they were gone.

What now? Strategies for Building Your Legacy

1. Define Your Values: Start by identifying what truly matters to you. What principles do you want to be remembered for? Reflecting on your values can guide your actions and decisions.
2. Live Intentionally: Every day is an opportunity to build your legacy. Whether it's through kindness, hard work, creativity, or mentorship, make choices that align with the mark you wish to leave.
3. Share Your Stories: Your experiences, struggles, and triumphs are invaluable. Document them, share them with loved ones, or find creative outlets to express them. As Billy Joel sang, "These are the times to remember, cause they will not last forever."
4. Invest in Relationships: The bonds we build are the bedrock of our legacy. Invest time and energy in nurturing relationships with family, friends, and community.
5. Pursue Your Passions: Your legacy includes the dreams you chased and the passions you pursued. Whether it’s art, advocacy, entrepreneurship, or volunteerism, let your passions lead you to meaningful contributions.
6. Plan for the Future: Consider how you can support causes, individuals, and institutions that align with your values beyond your lifetime. This might involve financial planning, but also mentoring and passing on knowledge.

“The need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence, and contribution.” – Stephen R. Covey

Some Help...

Here is my free resource "Unlock Your Legacy: A Comprehensive Checklist for Midlife". It's a checklist for those in midlife to engage deeply with their own legacy planning and offers a quick but still profound opportunity to reflect, act, and shape a legacy that truly reflects your deepest aspirations and values, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact on the world.

So- what's it gonna be? We gonna do this or what?!

#challangeaccepted