Leadership is about next day! Recently, I friend of mine had to make a complete transformation of his earlier life. Besides the current economic situation (tough for everyone!) some medical problems have accrued in his close family. These are enough, to convince him that he had to change his route and make different selections in his life. The result was a complete makeover of his earlier life (with the aid of some friends, of course!). He has to change his life and LEAD it to a different path!
More and more in my personal and professional life, I believe that leadership is related to legacy.
As the recent experience of my friend! He WANTED NOTÂ to do it, but he HADÂ to do it! Quick, unexpectedly, without “sedation”, or previous preparation.
A quick, single, clean-cut of his previous “everything“.
Life sometimes has these upsides and downs!
But the important thing, the major question arising here, is the following: what we have to leave behind, when we are not here (we are not present anymore), or when we are unable to do as we normally do.
What we have built, not just for ourselves, or rather, moreover, not for ourselves, but for the other people. What do people remember about us when we are gone?
No, I’m not talking about death, even though, the situation might fit the definition. I’m referring to all situations we are not present!
What are the thoughts we have left to the minds of people, what are the feelings, what we have done that people acknowledge us for, what we have produced, what we have influence, …!
All these “minute” or larger things we make toward other people (even without our knowledge, sometimes!).
We have not the time, to wait!
The leadership of our life, the personal leadership and the upholding of our principles, values, etc. dictates the “be always ready” dictum. To prepare today, ourselves, as if, there would be no tomorrow.
This is a task, a good leader should follow through!
Because, now, is the time to create the memories of the future, and you should better make them good!
I believe very much in history as a guiding reference for our actions in the future. And I believe, too much, to the people, trying and often succeeding to overcome very difficult situations. And I believe in people, in general.
To exactly the same people, who managed to harness the fire and build civilization and culture and thought and made themselves better people from those they were in the past!
And I believe in the old dictum: Memento Mori as a safeguard trigger, to remind me what is important in life and what I have to guard and keep closely!
Question: What would you leave behind if you have to stop everything right now, what will your legacy be? What would make differently? How your next day would be?
I’m learning to leave behind certain tasks so I can focus in on the tasks that will allow me to leave a lasting legacy. My books and past posts would last long after I’m gone. Great read!
Thank you Dan for your kind comment. You have right! Of course.
It is sad. Some of our artifacts will last more than us. But the problem is, the problem we have to deal with is, what WE (I!) DO TODAY to last more than me! Legacy is not just a saying, or action, or an activity, even a task. Is something (an action, task, saying, etc) that will be imprinted to someone so deep and profoundly that will change his/her life (I wish I would be such a man, but I’m not! Let alone to make someone to do something out of his/her good will!).
So what’s left! A direction to do great things for other people (and for yourself!)! Just a thought!
Thank you Dan for your kind comments. Thank you for sharing!
Glad to comment. Good additional thoughts!
Thank you for your constructive comments. I believe that after a while everyone takes some time to focus on the REALLY important things (as the ones he/she might left behind), as well to the ones that make other people happy (which is the same thing!)