Many of us know of the Nobel Peace Prize and its famous founder, Swedish Inventor and Industrialist Alfred Nobel.
Every year, this prestigious award is given to the most deserving individual who made the biggest impact towards world peace.
However, did you know that Alfred Nobel, who invented modern day dynamite that killed thousands of young men in various wars, chanced upon his own obituary that a newspaper had mistakenly published that called him a “War Profiteer” and “Merchant of Death”, condemning him for his deadly inventions.
He realised that the legacy he would be leaving behind was not a pretty one and decided to give 94% of his fortune (valued at US$265m at today’s value) to set up the Nobel Prize Foundation, something he is remembered for up to this very day.
This story leads me to ask an important question: What sort of Legacy will you be leaving behind when you pass on?
The ancient Pharoahs wanted to be remembered forever and built great pyramids.
Wealthy individuals have donated large sums of money to Universities, naming Schools, Buildings, and even changing the name of the entire school itself!
In Singapore, two major hospitals (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital) are named after the large donors who gave huge sums of money to them.
What about mere mortals with limited budgets like you and me? How do we leave a lasting legacy for people to remember us when we are no longer around? Here are some ideas.
1. Start Small, but Start.
They say that a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.
You don’t need to accumulate huge amounts of wealth before doing any good. Just start with whatever you have.
Many want to to wait till they hit a ‘Michelle Yeoh in Crazy Rich Asians‘ level of wealth before they start giving back to society, but I say it isn’t necessary.
There are other currencies besides cash that you can donate to good causes – your time, your expertise, and sometimes, even your efforts.
I volunteered for 9 years at the Singapore Cancer Society and I found those moments to be some of the most meaningful ones in my life. Start small, but start somewhere. Let the momentum carry you forward.
2. Leave an Impact on Other Peoples’ Lives Wherever You go.
“But Adrian, what do you want to be remembered for?”
Personally, I’m driven primarily by the desire to help others with what I know best – Career Mastery.
My main KPI isn’t salary, prestige or fame, for these things fade away quickly.
I measure my success by the number of people whose lives we’ve directly changed. How they are in a better situation today because of our interventions because a person’s Career is a great lever that affects every other element of their life.
The impact I strive to make is to better the lives of others so they will speak positively about me long after I’m gone, perhaps even to my kids someday.
This type of legacy, I feel, is priceless.
3. Positively Influence Those Around You
For the parents out there, sometimes, your legacy could be the children you bring up and set forth into the world. Whatever good they do reflects on you and unfortunately, vice versa.
Spend quality time with them during their formative years, inculcating your values to them so they know how to do the right thing when their moment arrives.
For those without kids, demonstrate to those whom you can influence, how to leave a positive impact. Lead by example, starting with the small things like looking the cleaning aunty in the eye at the food court.
My Personal Sharing.
For instance, my biggest influence in my life and mentor, entrepreneur Diana Young (1959 – 2004) taught me “People First, Money Later” when it comes to business. This simple idea has shaped much of my approach to legacy building today, even as we help thousands with their careers.
I still remember a training camp I once attended back in 2003. The Facilitator asked us to write our own eulogy and how we wished to be remembered when we’re gone. It was such a powerful and moving exercise that it left many in tears, resolving to live better, more impactful lives.
What legacy will you leave behind?