My recent health challenges have me thinking about legacy.
And no, I don't mean the touchy-feely kind or getting a library named after you.
I'm talking about the real part.
The one that keeps you staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, asking, "Will any of this matter in ten years?"
After I left my corporate role, I thought my legacy was set in stone.
I led big projects and built strong teams.
But I soon realized those corporate wins were resume virtues.
They get you ahead, but they aren't what people remember.
Does anyone remember I led an award-winning team of 30+ network engineers that received an approval rating of 96.5%?
Hell no.
It was a huge feather in my cap, but it means absolutely nothing today.
True legacy is about your eulogy virtues.
It's the ripple effect you create that outlasts your career.
Your real legacy is the knowledge you share, the values you live by, and the impact you have on others.
The most powerful thing you can leave behind is your wisdom.
You spent decades learning things the hard way.
That experience is gold, but only if you pass it on.
Does a Gen Z'er care what you did 30 years ago?
Some will.
Find a way to share it.
Tell your stories.
Mentor someone.
Guide the next generation.
This is how you multiply your impact.
A meaningful legacy doesn’t happen by accident.
It requires a plan.
The same strategic thinking you applied to your career.
Assignment: Your Legacy Vision
Answer these two questions with short, direct answers.
- What is the most valuable knowledge you have that would be lost if you did not share it?
- In one sentence, how do you want to be remembered by your colleagues, family, and community?
Your answers are the first step in designing your legacy.
Ted
P.S. I'd love to hear your legacy. Reply to this message and share.
