Creating Your Legacy? Start Now
Legacy is created every day, not at the end of our life.
Many people think that leaving a legacy is something that you start working on at a later stage in life or when the right moment will arrive. Also, it is a common assumption that “there must be” a process to do it.
I think Legacy is something you are working on right now. At this moment, and all the time. Also, if there is a process, the most crucial step is to create your own process. After that principle, there are 3 or 4 behaviors that research showed people claiming to be creating a Legacy have in common.
Legacy… yes, of course, one day I’ll get to that.
David Reynolds, on citing “Morita Therapy”, defines a mature human being:
The mature human being goes about doing what needs to be done regardless of whether that person feels great or terrible.
Another pillar in Morita’s philosophy for defining a mature human being is noticing a desire for a deeper meaning, realizing Legacy is created every day, not at the end of our Life.
Legacy has the essence of transcendence.
Legacy could be capital or properties received from an ancestor or predecessor. Or knowledge as the Legacy of the ancient philosophers. Or negative transcendence as war can leave a legacy of pain and suffering, or a wrong culture that becomes a Legacy to improve or change.
When we think about our personal Legacy, it refers to our way of transcending ourselves, our circle of influence, and even our time on earth. Also, personal Legacy is connected to the idea of meaning and purpose.
There is a natural connection between our purpose in life with the meaning of why we do what we do, or what we strive for doing. One day the fruits of those efforts could be of service to someone else. The only way to have the chance to leave a legacy, then, is to work on that purpose: Now and every day.
Starting now
The most effective way to ‘discover’ your purpose is to engage in something as a quest to refine your meaning. NOW.
For some reason, we like to flirt with the idea that there is ONE thing, specific, almost tangible, that IS OUR PURPOSE. We only need someone or in some way, that it will be “shown to us”. There seems to be no other way. Find it for yourself. Now
“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.” — Joseph Campbell
What people building a Legacy have in common?
From research by Emily Esfahani Smith, none of the hundreds of participants in the study who believed being creating their legacy experienced a sudden illumination, as Ah! this is the title of my Legacy. Instead, maybe less romantic and captivating, they all work hard, devoting hours and hours to something they felt compelled to do. Attracted to investigate, and throughout doing so, they end up shaping what (mostly other people) called “their Legacy”.
From her multi-decade research on meaning and purpose, Emily Esfahani found elements relating highly to cultivating meaning. Where called “the four pillars of Meaning”: 1. Belonging (or connections). 2. Transcendence, 3. Storytelling, and 4. Know Yourself.
- Belonging / Connections
Choosing to nurture positive and genuine relationships with people around me creates a sense of belonging. The feeling of being a member of a group, cause, or part of another person’s life, signals positive emotions promoting to persist and growth in serving that cause or people. Those relationships, though, need to be based on authentic love and acceptance. There should be a willingness to spend efforts without attachment to the outcomes or benefits I could reap from it.
Shift your mindset to do it more and now: for example, let’s suppose you usually buy groceries from a small shop and get to chat with the person running it. One day you dont have cash, and the woman offers to let it slide and pay it tomorrow. If you would get to refuse, you may be closing a little tinny door to deepen your relationship. Likewise, you limit people if you check your phone during a conversation or fail to say a friendly and meant hello!. Connecting from a place of love forges bonds that benefit each participant. It is on the simple things, do not wait for the big day to do the big something.
2. Transcendence
Connect to something greater than yourself. Some people achieve this through religion; others experience it through art or writing. By transcendent experiences, people become less self-centered and more generous toward others.
3. Storytelling
Clarify your self-concept by crafting the story of who you are and how you come to be distinctly you. As the “author of your story,” you’re empowered to edit your narrative. Consider the example of Emeka, who sustained a football injury that left him paralyzed. Initially, he said that his life was wonderful before the accident and terrible afterward. Over time, however, he developed a new narrative that the injury helped him live more purposefully. His story became one of salvation and growth.
4. Know yourself
Knowing yourself and clarifying your self-concept, you’ll craft the story of your identity. As the author, you can continuously update and reinterpret your record to reflect your own best possible story. It is vital to find and live your Legacy that you re-discover parts you didn’t know about yourself. Make room for narratives you would like to ‘possess’ and do those behaviors.
“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece, after all.”
There’s is a common, pervasive thought or idea as “I will work on my Legacy when I have <blank>. Discovering your purpose doesn’t mean finding a job that pleases you. Instead, it means seeking and doing work or projects that you feel attracted to, making a difference in the world, and being open to discover what that gate will bring for you. Do it NOW.