What Legacy Do You Want to Leave?

Do you ever think about how you want your friends and family to remember you when you are no longer with them? How would you feel? How would you behave differently?

Too often, we just churn through life, nose to the grindstone, trying to be productive and successful, perhaps accumulating financial rewards. But sometimes, we are not yet living our life how we want to be remembered. 

In this week’s newsletter, I will briefly discuss the inspirational bestseller Everyday Legacy; and review the problems that arise when we do not live our life the way we want to be remembered. I will also explain some of the ways we might want to be remembered and analyze the benefits to us if we start creating our legacy today. Finally, I will give you tangible tips on how to create the life of your dreams and leave a powerful impact on those around you. 

Everyday Legacy

Everyday Legacy Is a truly inspirational book by best-selling author Codi Shewan. Codi encourages us through his stories to treasure every moment, be grateful, be present with who matters to us, and begin today, creating our living legacy of how we wish to be known. Codi shares what inspired him and how Everyday Legacy has already started to change the lives of many who have read it. 

What if your legacy isn't what you leave behind but something you create every day? What if you started acting the way you want to be remembered - right now - and shared your unique gifts with the world? His message is simple yet powerful: In each moment, you can profoundly change yourself and those around you. Codi inspires readers to redefine how they live and embrace the idea of living - not leaving - a legacy.

Everyday Legacy shows us what it means to be deeply human, undeniably mortal - and how to choose a life that matters.

So how can we put that powerful message to work today? And what are the problems if we do not?

Problems of Not Living Our Legacy

Several problems can arise when we do not live our life the way we want to be remembered:

  1. Regrets: If we don't align with our values and goals, we may experience regret. We will become frustrated, unhappy, and unfulfilled. We know we are not living as we want, and our misalignment stresses us. These feelings can be difficult to shake and negatively impact our mental health and overall well-being.

  2. Missed Opportunities: We must pursue the things that matter most to avoid missing out on experiences and accomplishments that could bring us happiness and fulfillment. We may not enjoy those special times with friends and family; we may not create those memories of a lifetime. We may not choose the role in our professional life that suits us best. We will understand we missed out on some valuable experiences.

  3. Loss of Authenticity: When we do not align with our true selves, we can lose touch with our authentic selves, leading to feelings of disconnection and a lack of purpose. 

  4. Poor Legacy: If we do not live a life we're proud of, it can be difficult to leave behind a positive legacy for future generations. We may feel our life has yet to make a meaningful impact on the world.

So, How Do You Want to Be Remembered??

It is important to reflect on what is important to you and the legacy you want to live. How you want to be remembered by your friends and family will depend on your values, beliefs, and personality, but some common ways that people want to be remembered include:

  1. As a kind and caring person: People often want to be remembered as someone who was always there for their friends and family, offered support and love, and positively impacted others' lives.

  2. As a good listener: Being a good listener and offering a shoulder to lean on can be one of the most valuable things you can do for someone.

  3. As a hard worker: Many people want to be remembered for their dedication and work ethic, always willing to put in the time and effort to achieve their goals.

  4. As a good friend: Building strong and meaningful relationships with others is an important part of life, and many people want to be remembered as someone who was always there for their friends and positively impacted their lives.

  5. As a positive influence: Whether it's through mentorship, volunteering, or simply being a positive role model, many people want to be remembered as someone who had a positive impact on the world and inspired others to do the same.

  6. As a family person: For many people, family is the most important aspect of their life, and they want to be remembered as someone who cherished their family, provided love and support, and created lasting memories.

  7. As a giver: People who focus on giving back to others and making a difference in their communities often want to be remembered for their generosity and compassion.

  8. As a person of integrity: Many people want to be remembered for their strong moral character and for always doing the right thing, even when difficult.

  9. As a wise mentor: Some people want to be remembered for the wisdom and knowledge they imparted to others, helping them to grow and learn.

  10. As a generous member of the community: Many people want to be remembered for their positive impact on their community through volunteer work or activism.

But how many of us want to be remembered as a lawyer who worked too hard, was not around much, and made a lot of money? But isn’t that how many of us live our lives?

Ultimately, what matters is that we choose to live our lives in a way that reflects who we want to be and the impact we want to leave on the world. 

What Are the Gifts of Living Our Legacy Every Day? 

Focusing on how you want to be remembered by your friends and family after you are gone is important because it provides a sense of purpose and helps you to live a more meaningful life. When you clearly understand the legacy you want to leave behind, you can make choices and take actions that align with that vision, which can help you feel more fulfilled and satisfied with your life.

Additionally, thinking about how you want to be remembered can help you prioritize what is most important to you and make sure that how you live your life reflects your values and priorities. As a result, you will build stronger relationships with the people you care about and create lasting memories they will cherish long after you leave.

Ultimately, your legacy reflects the impact you have had on the world, and the way you want to be remembered by your friends and family is a key part of that legacy. By focusing on this, you can ensure that your life has meaning and purpose and that you leave a positive and lasting impact on those around you.

We receive powerful gifts when we live our lives today the way we want to be remembered:

  1. Happiness and Fulfillment: When we align with our values and goals, we experience a sense of purpose and fulfillment that contributes to our overall happiness and well-being.

  2. Confidence and Self-Esteem: By living our lives in a way that is true to ourselves, we can develop a strong sense of self-esteem and confidence, which can help us navigate challenges and succeed in our personal and professional lives.

  3. Positive Legacy: When we live in a way that aligns with our values and goals, we can leave behind a positive legacy for future generations. We will enjoy a sense of satisfaction and a feeling that our life has had a meaningful impact on the world.

  4. Personal Growth: By pursuing the things that matter most, we can grow as individuals and gain new experiences and skills that can enrich our lives and help us become the best version of ourselves.

Living our life today the way we want to be remembered can bring us happiness, fulfillment, confidence, a positive legacy, and personal growth. These gifts can enrich our lives and help us to achieve our full potential.

So How Do We Start Living Our Legacy?

Living your everyday legacy will be a fulfilling and meaningful experience. Here are some steps to help you start living the life you want:

  1. Reflect on your values: What is important to you? What do you stand for? A clear understanding of your values will guide you toward making decisions that align with your beliefs.

  2. Set goals: Identify the short-term and long-term goals you want to achieve in life. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

  3. Create a plan: Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps. This will help you stay on track and make progress toward your goals.

  4. Prioritize self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential to a fulfilling life. Make sure to prioritize activities that help you relax, recharge, and maintain your physical and mental well-being.

  5. Cultivate relationships: Building and maintaining strong relationships with loved ones, friends, and community members is crucial to living a happy life.

  6. Give back: Contributing to others and giving back to your community can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment to your life.

  7. Pursue your passions: Find the things that bring you joy and make them a priority. Whether it's a hobby or a career, pursuing your passions can help you live a more fulfilling life.

  8. Spend time with those who are important to you. Nothing is more important than enjoying our dear family, friends, and loved ones. 

Remember, the journey toward living your everyday legacy is a lifelong process. So be patient with yourself, and keep making small, consistent changes toward your goals. You deserve it, and so do those around you. 

Would you like assistance with living the life of your dreams? Let’s connect! You can schedule a courtesy consultation here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call

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