When you think about the kind of legacy you want to leave behind for your children, grandchildren, and loved ones, you might start by focusing on the practical items first. However, leaving behind a legacy can be even more meaningful, and last for generations to come. There are several paths you can consider to create such a legacy, like writing your own biography, building your own tribe, reflecting on your life experiences, and so much more!
Here are the top four things you can do to lead a purposeful life and leave a lasting legacy.
1. Check off your bucket list
No matter your age, it’s a fantastic exercise to create a bucket list of items you wish to accomplish, places you want to visit, and experiences you’d like to have. Simply going through the exercise, and including loved ones in the process, can inject a sense of purpose in your day-to-day life. When crafting the items on your bucket list, it helps to include both attainable and aspirational goals. The items you write on your bucket list will serve as a catalyst for crafting the legacy you wish to leave behind.
For example, you might want to visit the mountaintops of Machu Picchu at least once in your lifetime. With this on your bucket list, you might feel inspired to join a local hiking group or eat at a local Peruvian restaurant to learn more about the Peruvian people and their culture. And after you finally visit Machu Picchu, you might even write about it in your biography and share the life lessons you learned from the trip.
2. Journal your life
When you think about your legacy, it’s incredibly helpful to reflect on your values and how they have served as a guiding light in your life—they can serve as an example for future generations. Take a proactive stance about your reflection process by writing in a journal; consider writing a separate journal entry for each question:
- How do I want to be remembered by family and friends?
- How can I make a difference in my community and in the world?
- What are the top five stories I want to make sure are never forgotten about my life?
- What kind of experiences can I have/create that will enrich my life this next year? The next five years? The next decade?
- What is working well for me in my life right now, and what can I do even better in the next year? In the next five years?
- If I had to write my biography today, is there anything that I haven’t done that I would like to include in my life story?
- What are my values, and what experiences have I had that reflect those values? How can I build on those experiences for a more meaningful life?
3. Write a biography that brings your personal story to life
Much like a treasured family heirloom, writing a biography about yourself is a wonderful gift for generations to come. Your biography can include important lessons you’ve learned at different stages in your life and the memorable experiences you’ve had thus far. It can also include important information about your family’s lineage and culture, and you can craft a rich tapestry of stories for curious family members and loved ones down the road.
If the idea of spending your time writing about your life is daunting, consider using a ghostwriter to help you with this process. Story Terrace is an innovative company that works with renowned professional writers across the world that help capture people’s life stories, such as yours. You’ll have the opportunity to work with both a writer and editor to craft an heirloom that perfectly encapsulates the multitudes you contain within, and share the stories that need to be remembered.
“Now that I have my completed book in hand, I am elated ... it is a beautiful legacy of my life stories and life lessons. My children appreciate having our family history recorded for future generations. They think it was an efficient way to create a quality product that will truly become a family heirloom.” - Barbara G. Matthews
4. Build and nurture your tribe
Writer and thought leader Seth Godin defines a tribe as a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, and connected to an idea, in his book Tribes. Building a tribe, or community, is an incredibly enriching experience, and can help you and your tribe members create a lasting legacy. Your tribe can be a tight-knit group of friends or a large group of like-minded people drawn together by a common cause. You can choose to build and lead your tribe, or join one whose mission is in alignment with your own values and dreams.
One of the best ways to create or find a tribe is by volunteering in your community with a few organizations whose mission resonates with you. For example, you can become a mentor, teach a skill that’s important to learn, or provide a valuable service that’s in needs (e.g. accounting, cooking meals, etc.). Living a more connected life is something that will serve you in countless ways—the tribe you build today can pave the way for future generations and help them find community and a place of belonging.
Regardless of who you are, or where your path has taken you, yours is a life worth remembering. Just as it is worth contemplating the kind of legacy you wish leave behind, it is equally necessary to lead life with a joie de vivre mentality. When you love the life you’re living, you’ll be sure to leave behind captivating stories that will be shared with generations to come—now that’s a legacy worth creating!
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