Photo and blog by Sharman Dow
Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy? A legacy is something you pass on to those that proceed after you. A legacy is that divine gift handed to you — the gift you’ve accepted, the life you’re creating by listening to and answering your calling. It is not a slogan or phrase on your business card. No, legacy is built brick by brick, over a period of decades. Your legacy was handed to you, and it is part of what makes you so special and unique. Passing it on with integrity requires determination, persistence, and intention.
As someone once said, “What matters most with your legacy is not what happens to you, but what happens through you. It is a life lived by choice, not by chance.”
Everyone who has ever breathed air leaves a legacy. The
question is, what kind of legacy are you leaving for those around you or who come after you? What have you deposited into the lives of others that will live on?
We all think about leaving a positive legacy for our children, but what about in the workplace? In business it requires creating significance in your daily tasks or routines – putting forth excellence in your work. It means being thoughtful and empathic toward your peers and treating others with dignity. Leaving a positive legacy is honoring those over you and following their instructions. Your legacy is built by putting value on your clients, co-workers and management team.
Being authentic is a big part of leaving a purposeful legacy in your workplace, and it is the first step in leaving a legacy that lasts. Then it needs to align with who you really are, or at least who you want to become.
Are your intentions in your job responsibilities done with sincerity and your best effort? Do you ever give a thought on how you are treating others you work with? Authenticity is being fully trustworthy and being honest with yourself. I love Michael Jackson’s song “Man in the Mirror” where he sings, “I’m looking at the man in the mirror, and I’m asking him to change his ways.” Can you look yourself in the mirror and be honest enough to make a change for the better in your job and home life?
Much of my legacy came from the business world and my career. I stumbled a lot in the beginning and made some stupid mistakes that hurt people. It’s easy to do when all you think about is getting ahead, no matter the cost. When I looked in the mirror I did not like what I saw, and I determined to change. As time unfolded, I discovered that what I am passionate about is helping others see the unseen, helping them understand what makes them tick, and encouraging them toward driving success in their business and personal lives. I found I enjoy seeing others accomplish their goals so that they can become positive forces in our culture and can pass it on to the next generation.
Your short and long-term success will have more to do with your legacy than you might suspect. Success isn’t about a formula, a technique or a program. It’s all about determining what kind of mark you want your life to leave.
If you were to die tomorrow, what would people say about you? Are there people in your life – family, friends and coworkers – who have been impacted by you positively? Or are you embarrassed at what people might say about you? Whichever is true – that’s your legacy.
Sharman Dow is the founder of the Empower Women’s Conference, coming October 22nd to Orange County. Register today!
