Legacy. It’s something people don’t tend to think about. However, it can be your guiding light. It can be something you can strive for. The audio version of this article can be found here: What's Your Legacy?
Since starting this podcast, I’ve thought a lot about the legacy that I eventually want to leave behind. If you’ve tuned in to an episode of this podcast, you know that I close out each episode by asking my guests this question “When all is said and done, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?” When I started the podcast, I did not give my guests a heads up about that question. I would make it to the end and spring in on them. Some were able to roll with it and give great answers. Others needed a moment to reflect. It’s a big question.
I was interviewed by The Monroe Times awhile back and they asked me that exact same question. In the moment, I had a million things racing through my head. I was thinking about my kids, my wife, my mom and dad, my brother and his family, my friends. My initial reaction was “Man, I need to think about how people will think of me when I’m gone?” Do I really want to think about that or do I want to give a surface level answer? In that moment, I gave a surface-level answer. Something that’s pretty common when I ask the question. However, since that conversation with The Monroe Times, my thought process on that question shifted. I now tell my guests that question ahead of time. It gives them time to think about it and give a deeper answer. It allows a person to really reflect on how they want to be perceived and it’s been great!
So, you’re probably wondering what my answer to “When all is said and done, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?” is. Well, the answer ties into my identity as a father. Something that former guest and former Badger football wide receiver, Jonathan Orr, talked about on our episode. On the surface, I want to be remembered as a loving father, husband, son, brother and friend. I want people to think of me and say “I liked that guy. He was a nice dude who tried to do his best all of the time.”
Diving deeper, I want to help my children become the best version of themselves. I want them to surpass anything my wife and I ever accomplish. I want to have deep, meaningful conversations with my kids that help them learn and grow as humans. I want teach them to control their life and live the life they’ve always dreamt of. I want to empower others to do the same. We only get one shot at life and I want people, especially my kids, to live the life they desire and if I can have an impact on that, I’ll be happy. That’s the legacy that I want to leave behind someday. Now that I’ve reframed this, listeners, I must ask you. When all is said and done, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?