Making the most of your ability to change things
The word “legacy” is big and powerful. Legacy, to put it simply, is the good that one leaves behind. Without the amazing legacies that many of our society’s heroes have left us, where would the world be?
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Think about Mother Teresa: One woman’s decision to love without conditions touched literally thousands of the poor.
Think about Nelson Mandela: One man bravely stood up to injustice, breaking the curse of discrimination that had gripped an entire nation.
Think about Mark Zuckerberg: His unwavering pursuit of a vision to connect people had a profound impact on the entire social media landscape.
Fortunately, there are many well-known “legacy leavers” on the list. But these global giants are not the only ones with the capacity to leave a legacy. Within our sphere of influence, regular people like you and I can make significant contributions.
The desire to leave a legacy is ingrained in every person’s heart. Everyone wants to change the world, be remembered, and feel like they have made a difference.
This can be a motivating factor for some people, inspiring them to take on ambitious projects and make remarkable contributions to humanity. However, the majority of us with lesser skills have a significant impact on the world.
Four strategies to leave a legacy are as follows:
1. Develop an honest heart in order to change things.
Without a genuine desire to make a difference, we cannot accomplish anything of great worth. A person’s energy and concentration will be consumed by the fire of true desire once it has been ignited, leading to brave action and tenacity.
In 2006, while volunteering in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Toms Shoes, observed that many of the children were running barefoot through the streets.
He founded Tom Shoes, a company with a distinctive business strategy, as a result of his altruistic nature.
A new pair of shoes will be given to a child in need in a third-world country for each pair of shoes that is sold. Our actions will be motivated by our passions and excitement, which will have a beneficial effect.
2. Focus on your strengths
Our abilities will probably be at the center of the legacies we may leave behind. We typically excel at the things we are naturally skilled at. Positive effects are frequently the result of this excellence-driven mindset.
Take the singer Susan Boyle, who gained international recognition in 2009 after participating in the reality TV program Britain’s Got Talent. The 47-year-old woman bravely made her way to the audition and sang her own rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables, even though she didn’t appear to have the “physical package” of a typical young, beautiful, and attractive star.
3. Operate in your sphere of influence.
Because they believe they lack the necessary platform to make an impact, many people fail to realize their legacy potential. Work with what you have within your circle of influence rather than waiting for the ideal opportunity or the “perfect break.”
The Beatles were forced to perform in local clubs after being turned down by multiple recording companies. In a little more than a year and a half, they put in a lot of effort and took advantage of every chance that presented itself to perform roughly 270 nights. They were estimated to have given 12,000 live performances by the time of their first big hit in 1964.
Their efforts were rewarded. They are regarded by history as one of the most influential bands in music history. Even now, their legacy is still very much alive.
Start small, think big, and build deep. The opportunities that arise when we start with faith, remain steadfast, and put in a lot of effort will astound you.
4. Don’t do it for financial gain.
Great legacies frequently originate from a desire to make a difference. People want to change the world, which is why they accomplish great things.
Making money was not Muhammad Yunus’s intention when he established Grameen Bank. He had a good reason.
His goal was to break the cycle of poverty in society by giving the impoverished access to microfinance so they could operate their own businesses and earn a respectable living.
People who are only interested in making money rarely have an influence on other people’s lives. Even if success is achieved, there won’t be any legacy or significance.
Businesses function in a completely different environment when they have a strong purpose for existing that extends beyond generating profits.
Because they feel their company is changing society, employees are more driven to do their best work. When they get their motivations right, the money usually follows.