You’ve died and people have gathered to eulogize you. Or, maybe they haven’t. That’s a bit morbid isn’t it? Every once in awhile I find myself thinking about the idea of legacy and what my own life’s purpose is. And, when well known people pass on, I’m intrigued to see how they lived their lives and I wanted to share my thoughts about this and ask you: what is your legacy? And, happily, you’re still alive and kicking as I share this episode.
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Show Notes
- Legacy and impact on others occurs in several areas of our lives.
- Personal
- Professional
- Passion projects
- How would you define legacy?
- People who speak of you glowingly and the impact that you had on their lives?
- Financial help that you gave?
- The energy that you sent out into the world and how you made people feel?
- A creative work that you created
- A book
- A piece of art
- An incredible song
- A blog post
- Podcast
- Video
- Personal-what kind of person are you? At your core? This quesron takes some introspection and time to be honest about yourself.
- How do you think that you’re perceived by others? And, are you ok with that?
- What kind of situations do you find yourself in? Good/Bad/or otherwise? Are you ok with that?
- Remember-You’re the constant in these situations.
- Do you wish that you knew more people?
- Do you wish you had a better connection with your family? Or, friends?
- What are you doing about it?
- Do you speak up when someone is being mistreated?
- Or, are you a part of the problem because you let questionable behavior slide?
- Professional-Are you a manager of people?
- Do you develop the skills of those you manage so that they can grow professionally?
- Do you communicate clearly what would make them successful in their roles?
- Are you firm, yet kind in your interactions?
- Do you speak up when someone is being mistreated?
- Are you aware of your ability to act as a super-connector (whether you’re in a regular 9-5/digital influencer/etc) and connect people with people who will help them grow professionally?
- Passion Projects-These are fun because usually you’re in complete alignment with a mission. Typically, you’re able to articulate everything you love about your passion project, your ultimate goals with it, who you would like to connect with and what outcomes you’re looking to achieve.
- Let’s be clear, I don’t want you to be a watered down you. My bitchiest friends actually are the most giving, impactful people in my life. There’s even a recent article about proving this to be the case. They keep it real and you always know where you stand and that they’re going to share truths with you so that you can win. I just want all of us to think about our place in the world.
- It’s my view that the listeners of my show are amazing, thoughtful people making a difference to the different communities that they are a part of.
- What I’m doing and thinking of
- Personal-I’ve spent a number of years paying off debt. It has been a much more involved and exhausting process than I ever thought it would be. As a result, I’ve kind of…fallen off the map. I’m finding myself really thinking about who I spend time with, friends that have faded away, etc. While this can be a normal part of our lives. I do think that there are actions that I could be taking to deepen my connections with other people in my life.
- My mom-She recently asked if I would like to live together. While I told her a very resounding “NO” her underlying issue was she dealing with loneliness. I felt terrible. And, I apologized to her. When I quit my job I thought we would be able to spend more time together. While we did, it wasn’t as much as I, or my mom, would have liked. Also, for a long-time our actual schedules were a problem. She worked the graveyard shift and would be asleep during the day and I worked during the days that she was available. Now, things have changed and I’m no longer doing side-hustles as often as I was before and will FINALLY be phasing them out. I’m literally creating a non-negotiable schedule that she will think is spontaneous, to make sure that I’m seeing her several times a week and doing fun activities. Again, this has always been my intention, but it didn’t work out. Now, it’s non-negotiable.
- Friends-This is actually something that a lot of entrepreneurs don’t talk about. Sometimes you’re MIA much longer than you would expect while working on your business. Fortunately, the bulk of my friends I’ve known for a billion years, but I’m going to keep it real and say that I am spending too much time on my own. That’s going to change ASAP.
- Dating-what is this dating you speak of? I’m so over being single LOL! In fact, 2020 dating will be one of my primary areas of focus. Wish me luck and I don’t plan on online dating.
- Personal-I’ve spent a number of years paying off debt. It has been a much more involved and exhausting process than I ever thought it would be. As a result, I’ve kind of…fallen off the map. I’m finding myself really thinking about who I spend time with, friends that have faded away, etc. While this can be a normal part of our lives. I do think that there are actions that I could be taking to deepen my connections with other people in my life.
- Professional-I consider myself a digital influencer. In keeping with the space that I’m in I am looking to do the following.
- Help make connections between people who I think would work well together, or whose skills complement each other.
- Shout out projects, products, and services that I know will help others and get people paid.
- Share the stories of people doing awesome things that will inspire and help other people looking to do the same.
- Passion Projects-MyMoney on the Money Retreat is a passion project. It’s my goal to empower financially single women so that when their money is coupled up they are in a good position. I will continue to focus on this area of interest even after I’m financially coupled up. It’s my goal to make this project accessible to as many people as possible and will add additional events next year (such as a brunch).
- Square State-I have a website and podcast about Colorado. I love it because it gives me the opportunity to shout out my state and let people know about all of the cool products, projects, services, places, and people in Colorado. It’s basically a love letter to Colorado. I plan on growing that project now that Michelle is Money Hungry is moving in the direction that I’ve been working towards.
Legacy shows up in a lot of different ways. Spend some time considering what you would like your legacy to be. In this digital age, it’s easy to stop having this internal conversation until it’s too late. This is an ongoing level of personal reflection and self-awareness. Be kind to yourself as you work through the process. One person can make a big difference. Write a list of people who’ve either made a difference in your life or in others during the past the past year.
- Greta Thunberg-The environment. She sat all by herself protesting.
- Sandy Smith-She created the Elevate Community-A community of personal finance influencers changing the legacies of people of color all over the world.
- My mom-she doesn’t get what I do, but she loves me and listens when I need to share.
- Everyone who donated to the Money on the Mountain Retreat-you made it possible for me to host an event and change people’s lives.
Now, write a list of people who’ve you’ve helped (on purpose, or accidentally). That’s part of your legacy.
Resources
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- Take my free mini-course: Do It Ugly Today. Get it below.
Related Shows
A Special Shout out to the
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Mountain Sponsors and Speakers
- Plutus Foundation Harlan Landes and Charlotte Baker are amazing
- The Financial Gym-Shannon McLay is changing lives
- Kassandra Dassent, Financial Coach
- Jessica Garbarino-Every Single Dollar
- Emily Guy Birkin
- Jason Vitug-Phroogal
- Ryan and Carrie-Hashtag Colorado
- Melanie Lockert-founder of The Lola Retreat and author of Dear Debt.
- Phylecia Jones TedX speaker and creator of the speaking service iFindYouClose
- Jenny Bayless-Real Estate Investor
- Danielle Desir-Founder of The WOC Podcasting Community and The ThoughtCard website
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I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.
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I think your legacy is so important to keep in the back of your mind, because it should affect your decisions from day- to-day. The only thing I disagree with you on is bitchy friends. I don’t need that in my life. There is a difference with someone who says, to you, “look I’m just keeping it real” or “I’M JUST BEING HONEST!” ooof, my personal nemesis. I have found that you can convey the same message without being bitchy and without sounding judgemental, which is exactly what a “friend” is doing when they say that. Kindness and compassion can and should come before the bitchiness. Just my thoughts. lol!
There’s mean and there’s funny bitchy. I’m talking funny bitchy LOL! So, not mean. I have a new friend who is funny bitchy and she’s HILARIOUS.
I’ve had a post on this in the back of my mind for the past six months and you spoke to everything resonating in my soul on the subject here! <3 Every single question you've asked, I've been asking myself. Thanks for sharing and talking about this now, when it matters, when we can actually do something about it.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I feel like not enough people in the personal finance space talk about legacy beyond leaving cash. There’s more to legacy than that.