Legacy is one of the most powerful forces in human life but it’s often misunderstood, neglected, or left to chance. At its core, legacy is the imprint we leave on the world: the values we lived by, the relationships we nurtured, the knowledge we passed on, and the stories that survive us. It’s not reserved for the famous or the wealthy. Everyone leaves a legacy. The question is whether it’s intentional.

In today’s fast-paced, disposable culture, the word “legacy” has lost some of its gravitas. It’s been reduced to estate planning or corporate jargon. But legacy is far more than assets or accolades. It’s the echo of your life in the minds and hearts of others. And when shaped with purpose, it becomes a living force guiding future generations, preserving wisdom, and honoring the journey you had to take.

Too often, people leave behind unintentional legacies, those defined by circumstances set by someone else, or silence of withholding the story to ourselves. But building an intentional legacy means taking control of your narrative. It means choosing what you stand for and how you want to be remembered.

Here are key steps to take:

• Clarify Your Values: Identify the principles that define your life. What do you believe in? What do you want others to carry forward?

• Live with Purpose: Align your daily actions with your long-term vision. Legacy is built in the small moments as much as the big ones.

• Mentor and Share: Pass on your knowledge, experiences, and lessons. Teach, guide, and invest in others.

• Create Artifacts: Write letters, record stories, save photos, preserve documents. These become the tangible threads of your legacy.

• Document Your Journey: Don’t leave your story to be pieced together by others. Record your milestones, reflections, and turning points. Use tools like journals, interviews, or digital archives.

• Curate and Protect: Organize your legacy materials. Ensure they’re accessible, accurate, and preserved. This prevents distortion or erasure.

• Celebrate and Reflect: Share your legacy while you’re still here. Celebrate the impact you’ve made and invite others to contribute to it.

Legacy isn’t just what you leave behind, it’s what you live into. When you shape it with intention, it becomes a gift: to your family, your community, and to history itself.