What Will Be Your Legacy?

An update to a blog written a couple years ago.

What will you be remembered for? Someone who was content at work? Someone who earned a large salary? I believe that most of us want a sense of meaning and purpose.

Over the years, I was fortunate to have had two great mentors in my life. I learned so much from both of them. One was the teacher I was assigned to during my practice teaching experience. In addition to his knowledge, he taught me about trying new things and taking risks.

Another mentor of mine was when I transitioned from being a high school teacher to a nonprofit executive. He was patient with me and he provided on-the-job training on all that was involved in working for a nonprofit, from fundraising to organizational management and everything in between.

Like me, it’s very likely both of these individuals will not be remembered in the annals of history. It’s also likely true for most of us. However, there’s something that can provide you meaning, purpose and a legacy: mentoring someone. Mentoring is a way to secure your own legacy. Not historically but by training the next generation, passing along to them your wisdom and positioning them for success.

During my years, both as a teacher and a nonprofit executive, I passed along the knowledge I learned from my mentors and through my work experiences. Plus it has been so rewarding to stay in contact with these individuals who I would like to believe I had a positive impact on them and their lives. Some of these relationships began more than three decades ago and we stay in contact to this day.

Mentoring an individual can be an arrangement that is formal or informal. Whichever it is, you will find it very rewarding.

Pass the baton on to the next generation.

A recent article entitled What Will Be Your Leadership Legacy