This is a well wish from Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka that I have been practising for over 20 years. I certainly recommend anyone and everyone to go and take a 10 day course.
A simple statement, yet a very deep invitation that has influenced how I live my life and my approach to my work as an executive and leadership coach. How can I add positive value to the world? How can the work I do not cause harm? How can I be generous and compassionate? Who do I want to be and what is the life I want to live?
What is the legacy you want to create and leave?
This question arises from “make the best use of whatever time you have left in this life.” What is your purpose in life? What brings you genuine joy? What work do you do or want to do that is an easy flow in line with your values? How and what do you want to be remembered for? In essence, "What is the legacy you want to create and leave?"
These are spring board questions that I ask clients. I have found it takes clients into a space of creative imagining in a concrete way because it invites them to reflect on their past and present while looking towards their future.
If you are don’t have clear responses to the above questions and would like a bit of clarity, consider doing the following writing/journaling exercise.
I often ask clients to write/journal about various things. Here is a “repeat question” exercise you can journal about that may offer some insights into some of the above questions. Don’t over think about your responses, simply write down the first thing that comes to you … then repeat … for about 20-30 times! No wrong answers. Let your mind, imagination, heart be free.
Question: “Wouldn’t it be cool if …?”
After about 20-30 times, review your responses and see if any resonate with you in a way that you want to explore and possible take actions towards them.
Now, this part takes genuine honesty on your part. Respond to this question:
“what is currently preventing me from having the life I want?”
List ALL the things you can think about, the small and big ones. The private ones, as well as the public ones.
Finally, write/journal about this question:
“what can you do, and what will you do, to move towards manifesting a life you love, living and working in alignment with your values and essence and creating the legacy you want to leave?”
Coaching is a process, it takes time! The above exercise is a tool to help you gain insights into yourself. Then you get to make decisions about what you want to do with your life.
Often, after client coaching sessions, I am inspired and energized by my clients and the work they are doing. I feel that I have added some positive value to the world by helping my clients create their dreams! I get to be generous and compassionate knowing that what I do for a living does not cause harm. This is part of the legacy I want to create for myself and others. That we can earn a living, thrive and be successful professionally and financially and still add a positive value to the world!
So, What is the legacy you want to create and leave?
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