Do you know who you are – really? Do you know what you value? Are you involved in what interests you most in life? Can you say what you believe, articulate what’s important to you? Can you list your talents and abilities with confidence? Do you know what environments best support you? Can you state what truly motivates you, really stresses you (and describe the coping mechanisms you have in place), and describe the natural style that makes you, well, you?
Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
‘Cause I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
— Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend, 1978
The term legacy most often generates thoughts of “what.” Some thing that’s left behind. Something tangible – an asset, impact on someone else, artifact, ongoing organization – may well be a part of your legacy. But preceding that is the “who” – that’s you – and the “why” – that’s what’s important to you and works best to support your day to day brilliance – behind the “what.” This foundation that makes the “what” what it is!
Developing any sort of legacy project is about equal parts of “beingness” and “doingness.” We are first human beings, though many people live their lives as human doings: ‘if I do the right things, I’ll get the things I want (or think will make me happy) and then I’ll be who I’m meant to be.’ My coach training teaches that while that is typical, it is not as effective as ‘if I appreciate and become fully who I am, I can do the things that develop my personal sense of significance and fulfillment, and from that I’ll produce or have what I truly want.’ So before taking action, go inside and discover yourself to truly know and appreciate all that you uniquely are – so you can more fully impact the world in the way that only you can. It’s not about being right, it’s about being real, true, authentically you. The world needs that.
“A bird sings not because it has an answer, but because it has a song.”
— Chinese proverb
Knowing yourself and the song you have to sing allows you to fully appreciate your individuality and the gifts only you can contribute, based on the unique design of your DNA and life circumstances. It makes you a true power to reckon with – not in the “win, kill and conquer” sense, but from the magnificent ability to “do” that only you possess. From that perspective, there is no competition – only you and what you came here capable of doing. Will you fully discover yourself in order to do it?
As for the doingness part, you already have a developing legacy. It is how others currently perceive you and your talents, and the contributions you have already made – both tangible and intangible, large and small. You may discover that your family, friends, colleagues and others in your communities already think a lot of you – for reasons you may not be fully aware of. You may want to ask a few of them how they perceive you – and may be surprised to hear about your attributes, not just your self-perceived flaws. These are the parts of your beingness to build on.
Creating legacy begins with a mindset and a conscious decision about how you want to be known and remembered. That can color all your interactions and outcomes. Begin to take stock of who you are, which may give you a clue about why you’re really here on the planet – what you’re drawn to and meant to touch and influence. Your attitude and how you choose to touch our world, are among the few things you truly have much control over anyway. That is your true power.
We’re here to help with that discovery and your development of great projects that make a positive and sustainable difference … So who are you and what will that be?