I remember the moment like it was yesterday.
I worked for IBM in its consulting division.
Like clockwork, I would jump on a plane on Sunday afternoon for my next project.
Every week it was another destination where I would work with a client, then fly home on Friday night.
It was the first time I became a member of United's 1K club, meaning I flew over 100,000 miles in a year.
In my mid-40s, I was a road warrior, living on planes and in hotels, racking up frequent-flyer miles and hotel points.
I would've loved that life in my 20s, but it's really hard on your family when you leave your wife and two toddlers at home to fend for themselves while I'm living on the road.
One project was especially grueling, where I traveled to 13 cities from Boston to Honolulu over a six-week period.
I got home late Friday night, and I was mindlessly going through a stack of mail in our kitchen.
I was on a personal development kick at the time, so I opened a letter from Stephen Covey.
The letter was an invitation to join his new six-month coaching program.
I needed a change, so Monday morning I called Covey's office to learn more about the coaching program.
I was so burnt out and needed to make a big shift in my life, so I signed up on the spot even though it was a substantial investment.
That was only the beginning.
I couldn't stand spending more time on the road, so I quit my job that morning.
No backup plan.
No new job.
No income.
Quit cold turkey.
Fast forward six months...
I completed the coaching program, and my story was so compelling it was featured in Success magazine.
One of our assignments in the coaching program was to create a personal mission statement, what we stand for, and how we live our lives.
A few weeks ago, I found my personal mission statement that I created 30 years ago.
I was blown away when I realized I've been living my personal mission statement for decades.
Here's my personal mission statement, written in the 1990s.
My Personal Mission Statement
My mission is to make the world a better place.
I contribute my time, knowledge, and resources to help others.
I focus my efforts only on those tasks that deserve my best efforts.
I constantly learn new skills and, in turn, teach those skills to others.
I want to be remembered as a caring, generous, honest, loving person who made a difference during his lifetime.
That piece of paper from 30 years ago wasn't just a mission statement; it was the blueprint for my legacy, guiding my decisions long before I consciously thought about what I'd leave behind.
It proves that a legacy isn't something you build at the end of your life. It's something you live every day, whether you realize it or not.
The question is, are you living your legacy by design or by default?
Ted
P.S. Would you like my help creating your own personal mission statement? Send me a message and we'll schedule time to talk (no charge)
