What is your legacy?

What are you leaving behind in your wake?

“Legacy is the story of one person’s spirit inscribed on another person’s soul.”

I am leaving my beautiful lululemon team here in Whistler to pursue my next career goals. It’s been a bittersweet time of late. This team has supported and nurtured my growth and development, and is no doubt the reason I am now pursuing bigger, loftier goals. But more than that, since being away from home, this team has become like a true family to me.

Last night in our staff meeting, I received the most beautiful parting gift – A bound copy of everyone’s goal sheets that I helped contribute to through my coaching. The note on the front page read –

“Thank you for always taking the time to make sure we are living in a life we LOVE. We will miss you so much. You truly elevate the world of each and every person you touch. You have left a beautiful legacy. We love you.”

My heart felt like it would burst.

Up until this point I had spent some time thinking about what I wanted my legacy to be – but this was the first time I witnessed it in action. The power of acknowledgement is amazing. What an absolutely flooring experience.

Every single one of us leaves a legacy.

Your very existence has an impact on the world – whether you intend it or not. So, how do you want to be remembered?

Often we don’t realise our legacy, as it’s the impact we have on people when we leave the room, or when we’re away from people, and too often than not,  when we’re gone from this world for good.

It’s clear to see the impact we have on people while we are still there, in the moment  – but what are the lingering effects that we leave behind?

Eulogies are all about legacies – summing up your life’s beliefs, actions, connections and contributions. They are always magical, inspirational messages – but I’m sure many people never actually sit down and think about their legacy. Yet we get to choose, every second of every day, what legacy we want to create.

It’s our responsibility to make sure we are living this legacy.

Ask yourself, “If I died today . . .”

• What would I want people to say about me?
• How have I helped other people?
• Have I done my best, given my all?
• Did my life have meaning and purpose?

You want to make sure your responses to these questions are authentic to you. Not what you think you should say, or what other’s expect you to say – but what truly resonates within your own body.

Be true to yourself. Use your intuition, it will guide you.

“Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.”  – Bill Graham

After some thought, I think I have settled on the definition for my legacy:

My legacy is to leave others more in love with their life for having known me. Put simply – my legacy is to elevate people’s lives.

Working towards a legacy keeps us motivated and performing at our best. It gives us access to our very best selves, giving a higher purpose to our life and work.

Above all, it helps you share the fullest of what you are.

How do you want to be remembered?