Sometimes when I’m in my car If I’m not listening to podcasts, audio books or talk radio I will turn on a little classical music. It helps me stimulate my creative thinking. Now I know absolutely nothing about classical music I just happen to like listening to it. The other day I was driving and listening and the radio host announced that the next piece would be from Mozart who composed it in 1786. Are you serious, 1786!? I told you I know nothing about classical music. To think that I’m driving down the highway listening, and enjoying I might add, content that was produced nearly 225 years ago is amazing to me!
It got me thinking, is there anything I’m creating that will be of value in the year 2210?
The answer is yes and no. I’m certainly no Mozart and therefore I’m confident that people will not be reading this blog or watching my videos as a point of reference some 200 plus years from now. However I can say yes, everything you do affects your legacy and focusing on your legacy leads to success today and value for tomorrow.
Why Legacy Is Important
It’s how you will be remembered when you’re long gone. It’s your opportunity now to do things that will last for much longer. So make your decisions, create your ideas and operate your business with the long term in mind. Many businesses and entrepreneurs focus on short term gains at the detriment of long term legacy. Many are interested in quick results and instant gratification. Whether it’s growing your business, generating wealth or just growing your social media presence you should be approaching each with a long term vision. In fact a very long term vision. The daily decisions and actions you put out into the world add up to determine your legacy.
Is that a legacy of innovation or desperation? A legacy of trust or tricks? A legacy of long term strategy or short term results? A legacy of risks or fear? A legacy of action or indifference?
My friend Nathan Hangen has a good piece for bloggers on creating wealth. In it he points to legacy being more important than currency. Not selling out in the long term just to make money now. Good advice that works not only for bloggers and business but in life as well.
Creating a Lasting Legacy
Sharing, networking, creating and learning are all key characteristics of generation next entrepreneurs. What can you do to make a lasting legacy that you know others will benefit from? If you approached your business, new idea or career with a long term time line what would you do different? How could you take small steps each day to reach those goals? What could you do to create something of value 200 plus years from now?
Like I said I have no aspirations of this website being of use 200 plus years from now, but the whole reason I started it was to start a dialogue of young entrepreneurs, small business owners and those wanting to discuss the future of business. Hopefully through the conversations on this site we can help each other reach our goals and positively affect our sphere of influence at the same time.
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