It's Women's History Month 2020, a time to celebrate the legacies of women who have shaped our country. It's also a valuable opportunity to think about what you want your own legacy to be.
With our days so busy, we rarely get a chance to think about big-picture questions like this one. But considering what you will leave behind is one of the most motivating things you can do. These three questions can be a starting point to thinking about what you want your legacy to be.
1. What three things would you want someone to say about you over the long-term?
Think about this question in terms of both what you do and how you do it. Your answers will probably overlap with your desired brand and your "Big 3": the areas where you can have the biggest impact at work.
If you aren't sure how to answer this question, think about the ripple effect you could start right now — in your company, family or community. What kinds of activities get you excited? What is one thing you can do to put your passion and strengths to work?
Here are some possible answers that might spark ideas for you:
Seeing the potential in others: The best thing anyone could say about me is that I recognize the power of helping people see and tap into who they really are, and I consistently stretch and challenge them to realize their potential.
Mentorship: I want to be known as a mentor, someone who always makes it a priority to help the next generation of leaders navigate challenges in their careers. I am not afraid to share tough feedback, because it’s a gift – to increase their self-awareness and help them be successful.
Servant leadership: I'd like to be recognized as someone who sees the power of one person making a difference. In particular, others would say that I consistently provide support to family, friends, and colleagues and invest time in my community by serving on nonprofit boards.
2. How aligned are your time and energy with your desired legacy?
Track your time for two to three weeks at a high level, paying particular attention to how much time you dedicate to what you want to be part of your legacy. If you're like most of us, your schedule won’t fully align with your priorities.
Notice the difference between your time and effort and its overall impact. How you can shift the balance toward the things that matter? Identify one or two strategies to help you. What can you delegate? How else can you ask for help? Researchers have found we spent more than 40% of our days on low-value tasks we could easily hand off.
This exercise to think about your legacy may also inspire you to manage your time more effectively. We all get lured away by the various demands on our time. To stop from getting sidetracked, check out my tips to minimize distraction.
3. What one action will you take this week toward the legacy you want to leave?
The word "legacy" can be intimidating. Remember, though, that no one creates their legacy overnight. Everything starts with one small step. What one small step can you take to start moving you closer to the impact you want to have? Here are a few ideas:
Say “no” to something that doesn’t fit.
Provide words of encouragement to someone else.
Make just one different everyday choice.
Notice a mindset that has been holding you back, and replace that negative talk-track with something more positive.
Meet with someone who can advise you on that idea you've always wanted to pursue.
Whatever you want your legacy to be, visit my website to learn more about how we can help you get there with corporate programs and apps, executive coaching, self-paced tools or free resources from Newberry Executive Solutions.