How to Define and Live Your Legacy: Practical Steps for Creating a Lasting Impact

At this point in your life, you’ve achieved more than you probably give yourself credit for. You’ve impacted lives, made hard choices, weathered storms, and celebrated victories. But let’s pause for a moment. Have you ever asked yourself, "What will I leave behind?" It’s a deep question, but one worth pondering.

Your legacy isn’t just the material things or the job titles you’ve collected along the way. It’s about the imprint you’ll leave on the hearts of others—the values you’ve lived by, the wisdom you’ve shared, and the memories you’ve created. It’s the invisible thread that connects your life to the future generations who will carry a piece of you with them.

So, are you living your legacy? If not, how can you start today?

What Does Legacy Mean to You?

Before we dive into the steps, take a moment to reflect: What does legacy mean to you?

Is it about making a lasting difference in your family? Maybe it’s about leaving behind a story of resilience, passion, and grit. For some, it’s about nurturing relationships, while for others, it’s driving change in their communities or the world.

Ask yourself:

• What values do I want to be known for?
• How do I want my children, my friends, or my colleagues to remember me?
• What causes or passions light a fire in me that I want to pass on to the next generation?

This is your legacy, and you get to decide what it looks like.

How to Identify Your Legacy

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry—legacy doesn’t have to be daunting. It’s about reflecting on your life and identifying the impact you want to leave behind. Here are some steps to help you define it:

Reconnect with Your Core Values: At the core of every great legacy are strong values. What do you stand for? What principles have guided you through both triumphs and challenges? These are the values that will shape your legacy and inspire those around you.

Reflection time:

• What words would you want people to use when describing you?
• What are the non-negotiable principles that define how you live?

Acknowledge Your Impact: Look back on your life. Whether it’s in your career, your family, or your community, you’ve already made an impact. What are you most proud of? What legacy seeds have you already planted?

Ask yourself:

• What moments of my life have defined who I am today?
• How have I positively influenced the lives of those around me?
• Where am I still eager to make a difference?

Envision the Future You Want: Close your eyes and imagine it’s 20 or even 30 years from now. What do you see? How do you want people to talk about your life? What do you want to be remembered for?

Think about this:

• What stories do I want my family and friends to tell about me?
• What kind of world or community do I want to leave behind for future generations?

Living Your Legacy Starts Now

The beautiful thing about legacy is that it’s not something you only start thinking about at the end of your life. Your legacy is happening right now, with every choice you make, every relationship you nurture, and every value you stand up for. Living your legacy doesn’t mean doing grand things every day—it’s the small, intentional actions that add up over time.

Here’s how you can start living your legacy, starting today:

Be Bold and Intentional: Every decision, no matter how small, is a building block of your legacy. The way you choose to show up today will ripple through the lives of those around you.

Try this: Set a daily intention that aligns with your values. Maybe you reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, lead a conversation with compassion, or make time for something that fuels your soul.

Mentor and Share Your Wisdom: You’ve gained a lifetime of wisdom. Don’t let it sit with you—share it! Whether it’s with younger colleagues, friends, or family, mentoring others is a powerful way to leave your mark.

Ask yourself: Who can I pour my knowledge into? Who is in my circle that could benefit from my life experiences?

Align Your Career with Your Legacy: What you do professionally can be a huge part of your legacy. Is there a way to make your work reflect the values and passions you hold dear? Could you start a project that feels deeply meaningful, or pivot in a way that better aligns with who you want to be remembered as?

Consider this: What steps can I take in my career or business to align more with the legacy I want to create?

Your Legacy Is Your Gift to the World

Your legacy is more than what you leave behind—it’s how you live today. It’s about showing up as the woman you want to be remembered as—strong, resilient, compassionate, and true to yourself. Your legacy isn’t something to fear; it’s something to celebrate, create, and nurture.

So, I’ll ask you again: What will your legacy be?

Start creating it today. Let’s explore it together on a Find Your Fizz Discovery Call, where we can reflect on the steps you can take to build a life that leaves a lasting mark on those you love, those you work with, and the world around you.

This is your moment. Start living your legacy—right now.