We will all leave a legacy when our time here on earth is up.  The difference is that some will leave a legacy that is remembered and some will just leave.  Now that may sound harsh, but give it some thought.  We all know people that make a difference in the lives of those in their communities and we also know those people that are more concerned about themselves than anyone else.

I look back at my life and think about all the ways I have impacted those around me.  I feel pretty good about what I have accomplished, but at the same time, I realize how many opportunities that I let slip by.  Over the last few years, I have become much more aware of the importance of what I leave behind.

Not so much in the material sense, but in ways that really leave a mark on the people I know.  I want to be remembered as someone who was a giver.  For my family,friends and my community.  I can’t really point to one single event, but recently I have felt the desire to give back to the people that are important to me.  As they say, life is too short.  We only get one chance at living and to me, living represents an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Next month, many Americans will vote for the President that they believe will do the best job in leading our country.  Each previous President has left behind a legacy.  Some have been good and some not so good, but all of them are based on the difference they made in the lives of the people within their circle of influence.

John Maxwell in his  The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership gives us four ways to be intentional in leaving the legacy we want.  Here’s how:

1.  KNOW THE LEGACY YOU WANT TO LEAVE

This is not guess work.  We need to be very intentional on the legacy that we want to leave.  What will we be remembered for?  That is the question you need to answer.

2.  LIVE THE LEGACY YOU WANT TO LEAVE

Here is the challenging part.  It doesn’t matter what the legacy is, you have to live it.  People won’t remember what you said you wanted to do.  They will remember what you did.  The things that you are passionate about and act on are what you will be remembered for.

3.  CHOOSE WHO WILL CARRY ON YOUR LEGACY

There is no better way to leave a legacy than to create it such that your impact and influence will continue on once you are gone.  As a John Maxwell coach, trainer and speaker, part of my legacy will be in continuing to share what he has taught me related to Leadership Development, Communication and Personal Growth.

4.  MAKE SURE YOU PASS THE BATON

John Maxwell has created a team to carry on his legacy to ensure that his works continue to provide value even after he is gone.  My dream is to impact others in a positive way and empower them to use the resources that I am able to provide to make a difference in the lives of those they influence.  I have also attempted to teach my boys how important it is to add value to the world they live in.

One of my favorite athletes of all time, Jackie Robinson, said this:

“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.”

Jackie paved the way for African American athletes to be accepted into professional baseball.  What he did took courage, character and personal sacrifice but it made a difference for countless athletes into the future.  Leaving a legacy will take sacrifice but at the end of the day, it really is all we leave behind.

Take a look at the way you are impacting those around you and ask yourself  “How will I be remembered?”  Do you like the answer you came up with?

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This post brings us to the end of the series on The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.  Next Wednesday, I will start a fifteen week series based on John Maxwell’s new book “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.”

First up:  The Law of Intentionality.

Don’t miss any of these Invaluable Laws by subscribing at the upper left of this page.

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Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   10/3/12       photo by author