Are you satisfied with how you have lived your life?
Brett Blair - Ph.D., PCC
Helping professionals break free from autopilot, unlock their potential, and live their best lives through coaching, speaking, and the Best Life Masterclass.
If you’ve been following my journey, you know that I’m working on a book, called?Born – Love – Die.?I’m a little over halfway through, and am committed to having it published by July.?The book is mostly about the year of ALS, and what I experienced in caregiving for my beloved wife, Kim. She?taught me so many, many things during that year.?One major thing that she taught me, through her example and through her words, was how to leave a legacy that you are proud of. She certainly left an amazing legacy.
When I coach people, I often ask them to write an obituary on themselves, as if they died today. You should try this. It is hard, but it's the?good kind of hard. It makes you think about what will be said about you after you die. Do you like the obituary that you wrote??Are you satisfied with the meaning by which you have lived your life? Imagine you are hovering over your own funeral, listening to the words of those who are speaking about you at the reception afterward. Do you like what you are hearing??Most people don’t remember the career-related, money-making things about a person who has passed. They are more likely to remember the person’s smile, caring nature, how they listened, how they lived their lives, or how they showed up in the world.
If you don’t like the obituary that you have written for yourself, then you have time to make a change. You don’t know how much time, but time, nonetheless.?Get about it!?Start living your life, right now, in a way that will lead to the ability to leave a legacy for which you are proud.
Some people think about legacy as the inheritance ... the gifts and?the tangible things?a person passes on after they die. While these things are important, I believe that a more important legacy is the impact you have on the people who are touched by you while you are alive. By the example that you set. By the light that you give to the world when you are here.
Live your life fully. Start now!?Know your values, your priorities, and commit to growth in each area. Grow until you die. Make a positive difference in the lives of other people that you touch. Be optimistic, be energetic, be curious, be generous, be loving.?These are the attributes of those who leave a great and lasting legacy. Let me know if I can help you.
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On a related note, I want to share some exciting news. I’m now a co-founder and CEO/Chief Legacy Officer of a software startup called?PostScript.?PostScript?is an online service created to help you pre-plan your digital legacy. I’m super excited about this new venture, and I know that Kim would have loved it if the?PostScript?products and services were available when she was alive. I’ll keep you posted on further developments.
Speaking of further developments, please shoot me a note to let me know how you are doing.
We are each blessed beyond measure, and I believe the best is yet to come!
Cheers!
-Brett
Professor, Capella University
1 年Brett, I have a very dear friend with ALS. I will be watching for your book to come out. I am so deeply glad you are writing it.
C. Murray Ventures LLC
1 年Definitely need more Brett Blair - PhD in my life ??. Love the article!
Sales, Procurement and Financial Professional
1 年Loved this article and message!
Engineering & Technical Executive | Director | Turnaround Leader | Team Builder | Project Management | Product Development | Quality | Continuous Improvement | Musician
1 年Great article Brett! Looking forward to your new ventures!