BUILDING A LEGACY: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ?

When we hear the word legacy, it is easy to think only of career achievements, titles, and awards: the visible milestones that seem to define success. Yet, legacy is much more than that. It embodies the values we live by and the impact we have on the people around us and the world beyond. While achievements reflect the person we aimed to become, legacy is what remains long after we are gone. It is what continues to nurture and inspire others beyond our presence.

LEGACY BEYOND CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Picture your legacy as a vibrant, living garden that is rooted deeply in kindness, watered by empathy, and flourishing through purposeful acts. The bright blossoms of your career moments catch the eye, but the real strength lies in the invisible roots beneath the surface: how you treat others, build relationships, and persistently sow positive change.

Rosario Marin reminds us, “I am convinced that what we do or fail to do in this lifetime will be our legacy to the future generations.”

Let me invite you into the stories of five remarkable leaders from around the world, whose legacies bloom through courage, resilience, empathy, storytelling, and vulnerability. Their journeys anchor the idea that legacy begins with everyday actions aligned with your truest values.

Imagine Malala Yousafzai, a young girl from Pakistan, standing bravely against danger to demand education for every child. Her tangible legacy is the millions of girls empowered to learn because of her unwavering voice. Her path was not just marked by a Nobel Peace Prize but by the real risks she faced daily to defend a fundamental right. For you reading this: what cause stirs your heart enough to nurture courage even when fear whispers in your ear? Legacy starts precisely therein bold, quiet defiance for what matters.

Travel to South Africa, and you meet the legacy of Nelson Mandela, a man who endured 27 years in prison. Instead of allowing bitterness to take root, he chose forgiveness and unity, healing the deep wounds of apartheid. His legacy reminds us that enduring impact grows slowly through the patient work of reconciliation. When struggles come your way, Mandela’s life whispers a powerful truth: that resilience and empathy build bridges that outlast pain. How might you nurture peace in your own communities or in moments of conflict?

From the island nation of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern’s leadership offers a fresh image of strength; one wrapped in empathy and transparent communication. When tragedy struck or crisis loomed, her kindness threaded through tough decisions, showing that genuine care is a revolutionary force. Her legacy grounds itself not just in policy but in emotional connection, encouraging you to lead your daily life with warmth and an open heart. What would your leadership look like if compassion guided every step?

Brazil’s Paulo Coelho demonstrates the power of storytelling as legacy. His books have lit a path for millions, inviting readers to awaken to their dreams and inner truth. His work teaches that sharing stories is not just entertainment; it is a gift that ignites hope and self-discovery. What stories are you living today that might become bright beacons for others? What wisdom lies in your experiences waiting to be passed on?

From the United States, Brené Brown opens the door to vulnerability, showing that embracing our imperfections is the birthplace of true courage and connection. Her research has shifted how we understand strength, not as armour but as openhearted authenticity. Her legacy invites each of us to ask: How will being genuinely seen, flaws and all, transform the relationships we build and the impact we leave behind?

These leaders embody the truth behind the phrase “this is my legacy”. For it is a daily practice, a living commitment to align who we are with what we do.

As Darrell Waltrip said, “A legacy is not about what you did while you were there, it is what happens when you are gone.”

ALIGN YOUR ACTION WITH YOUR PURPOSE

Creating such a legacy begins with clarity. What values guide your everyday choices? What purpose pulls at your heartstrings: be it education, healing communities, or protecting our planet? Setting intentional goals aligned with your values; like mentoring someone, supporting a cause, nurturing family- may support you building your legacy brick by brick. Lead by example. Show compassion, integrity, and courage in every interaction.

LEAVE AN IMPACT

Your legacy ripples outward as you:

• Engage deeply with your community. Volunteer, share your unique gifts, and collaborate to meet needs.

• Use your voice boldly to advocate for justice, equality, environment, or education: championing causes closer to your heart.

• Empower others through mentorship and teaching(so your impact multiplies beyond your lifetime).

• Think about the small gestures, yes that smile that lifts a spirit, the listening ear, the encouragement that sparks confidence. As Shannon L. Alder said, “Carve your name on hearts, not on tombstones.”

Intentionality is the bedrock of legacy. Your consistent small acts shape the story you leave behind. At life’s end, legacy is measured not in possessions or accolades but in lives touched and hope inspired.

“The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives.” Billy Graham

So, what small step will you take today? We hope that these stories will inspire you to begin tending to your own living legacy!