In our previous Wisdom Note, we learned the five essential elements of success. This week we will learn the ten laws of a living legacy. If you miss any of our Wisdom Notes please go to the blog to catch up on previous installments.
Just as the Law of Gravity is an unchangeable law, if you desire to create and leave a living legacy, there are certain laws that you must follow in order to be successful.
If you want to achieve your true potential in creating and living your legacy that you were called to, you must start by being aware of who you are. Living your legacy is an internal change that will manifest itself externally.
Here are 10 guidelines or laws to help you, whether you’re just beginning your legacy trek or are far up the trail. These laws may not have been handed down on stone tablets, but if you follow them, you’ll find that indeed you are living a positive legacy each day.
1. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation
Your reputation is just what other people think; your character is what you really are. To live your legacy, you will face challenges that require a choice between character and compromise; every time you choose character, you gain positive ground. Character is the core of a living legacy.
2. Be committed in all that you do
To effectively live your legacy you have to be committed, and true commitment starts in the heart. It inspires and impacts others; it shows them you have convictions. They will believe in you because you take responsibility, and you are committed to living your legacy.
3. Listen more than you speak
Communication is critical in order to positively impact others. People want to emulate someone they can understand or someone who listens. As you live your legacy, you should listen far more than you speak, and when you do speak, make sure your words are consistent with your actions and character.
4. Always show the best of who you are in everything you do
It’s easy to admire those who are highly competent, but most of us will never be considered superstars. To live your legacy by having integrity in all that you do is crucial. Cultivate the competence you need to show up every day, to keep improving, to get ahead of the game where you can, and to keep setting the bar higher. Never stop growing yourself.
5. Stand brave even in the face of fear
To effectively live your legacy each day your dedication to your purpose and principles must remain stronger than your desire to appease others. You must be able to stretch past your comfort zone, to stand strong, and to make an impact on the lives of others who need to see your strength. You need to do the right thing when everyone else is frightened and to step forward in a bold way. Consider this statement, which is stated on our website serves as our vision: together we will create a legacy of wisdom, we will seek out discernment and insights, we will boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before, and we will live long and prosper as a result.
6. Always live by your convictions
To live your legacy, you must be willing to stand for something. Strong convictions precede great actions, and it is our convictions that call us to act with integrity. For those of us to whom much has been given, much is required. How you act, what you say, how you treat others – your convictions build the trust that a living legacy requires.
7. Stay focused on consistent excellence
Focus and concentration let you accomplish much while making an impact. It’s a discipline that allows you to evaluate what’s in front of you and set priorities and to live your legacy with consistent excellence.
8. Have a clear purpose, vision, and mission
From grand accomplishments to the small mundane daily tasks, creating a living legacy requires clarity. When you have a clear sense of your vision, mission, and purpose, you will effectively and positively impact others. They will also clearly see the standard of measure from your life.
9. Continually seek knowledge and wisdom
Self-growth and a robust commitment to lifelong learning and obtainment of wisdom are the most effective tools you can have impacting others with your living legacy. To continue to grow you need to be constantly looking for ways to improve yourself so that you can help others improve through your positive impact on them. Never stop asking questions and stretch yourself. Stay teachable, curious, and open.
10. Honor others and know their importance
When you understand that living a legacy is all about relationships, you truly know the importance of living in a way that positively impacts, builds, and strengthens connections with those around you every day.
As you consider the 10 guidelines or laws for creating and living your legacy remember to make every action count. It’s the one thing that will take what we have just learned and effectively impact others with meaning and significance. Living your legacy each day means to make every action, every word, every moment, and every relationship count.
Let’s wrap up our trek today as we consider the words of the Apostle Paul in the letter to the church in Ephesus in Chapter 5:15-17, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
The 10 Laws of a Living Legacy provides us with the guidelines that we need to have a significant and positive impact on the lives of everyone that we meet. Next week on our trek, we will learn to be comfortable with discomfort. In addition to our weekly Wisdom Notes, encourage your friends and family to also join us on our daily podcast – Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.