Live Each Day as if YOUR Life Matters. It Does!
Do you leave a legacy each day? Admittedly, that was a poorly worded question, the answer to which is simply “yes” for every living person. A much more profound question would be ‘What kind of legacy do you leave each day” with anyone’s answer containing deep defining reflection of their true character. I’ve previously written about this based on Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” focusing on the 2nd Habit which is entitled “Begin With the End in Mind.” Describing that habit, Covey takes you on a journey attending your own funeral with everyone in attendance unaware of your presence. You notice four individuals will be speaking at your eulogy including a family member, a friend, a co-worker, and someone from the community. The gist of the Habit’s lesson being that each of us has near complete control, while we’re living, of what people will say about us after we’re gone. What they’ll say defines our legacy.
Recently, while reading the book “Lead to Lift Up OTHERS” by Ross Woodstock, I added to my perspective regarding each person’s legacy, how a legacy can be built, and how we ALL have the tools necessary for leaving a legacy defined by our true character while on this earth. While the book is one of the finest I’ve read on Leadership, I really honed in on the section of the book relating to “Legacy Leadership.” The section begins with the Nelson Mandela quote “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Think about it, a person could live an extremely significant life based on the guidance contained in that quote. Woodstock goes on to say “A legacy is not about what you can achieve for yourself; it is about what you can do for others. It is about making a difference in as many lives as possible and leaving the world in a better place.” See why I loved reading his book?
Diving a little deeper into this thought process, I found a quote attributed to James M. Kouzes & Barry Z. Posner, contained in their book entitled “A Leader’s Legacy” noting “By living each day as if we matter, we offer up our own unique legacy.” That quote is what led to the title of this article. According to Andy Andrews, proven in his book “The Butterfly Effect, every person’s life matters! Not just to them, but to all of us, forever. That includes YOU! Every thought you have, every word you speak, and every action you take defines your character…you know, who you really are. It’s what you think, say, and do that ends up defining your legacy. And your thoughts, words, and actions are all learnable and improvable if you want them to be.
Every person is given opportunities to lead in life. For some, it may be from how they handle tragedy, adversity, health challenges, financial ruin, or defamation. For others, it may be from how they handle success, financial gain, personal health, role in the community, or just plain good luck. Truth is, every person’s life has a unique combination of opportunities to lead in good times and in bad. If we approach every opportunity to lead with a “Legacy Leadership approach,” rather than a “what’s in it for me” or “abuse of power” approach, then the world we leave behind someday will have greatly benefitted from our contribution of being here.
I’ve given you a lot to think about. Take some time and ponder how much your life matters to the world. Take some time to ponder what, and who, influences your thoughts, your words, and your actions. Ponder some more about the significant control you have over everything that influences you and how you process that influence. Think about all of the different people that are influenced by YOUR thoughts, words, and actions. Is following your lead a decision that will help and benefit them in their life? Consider the different ways, when someone is following your lead, that your thoughts, words, and actions will define the legacy you leave behind. Deep think the ways your current life can grow into a “Legacy Leadership Lifestyle” and take action to make it so.
Please…Live Each Day as if YOUR Life Matters. It really does…to all of us…forever! I’m willing to allow your Legacy Leadership Lifestyle to have great influence over me if I can believe in your character. Maybe someday I’ll have the great privilege of being one of the eulogists at your funeral, maybe someday I’ll have the great privilege of having YOU be one of the eulogists at mine. Always remember, Hey…I Believe In YOU! GiddyUp!