Leaving a legacy is not about ‘monument building’ but the way in which we live on in the memory of others – how we make others feel about us.
Giving back is one of the best ways to leave a legacy. You don’t always need money, just commitment and time to make a difference. If you’re coaching a soccer team, training a new employee, or simply being a great parent you’re leaving a legacy. But how do you make others feel about themselves when you do these things?
The best teachers in school weren’t always the smartest or most talented – they were the ones that made you feel good about yourself (made you laugh and enjoy class). The teachers that truly leave a legacy and live on in the minds of their pupils are the teachers that made others feel great. Leaders create leaders.
Being human is ultimately about the interconnections we have with each other. So if you really want to give back – focus on your relationships and how you make others feel about themselves. Simple.
A final tip on giving back. Focus your energies. We focus our community support on youth and the environment – because that’s our future. “A society grows great when old men and women plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” – Greek Proverb.
