Your Legacy
Seven steps to create a lasting footprint
By Brian Sullivan
A few weeks ago while on family vacation in Colorado, a well-known philanthropic business executive named Tom Murphy (age 45) was tragically killed when a boulder fell from a mountain and struck his car. Two days after hearing the news, I found his obituary in the paper. As I read it, I was moved by the words used to describe Tom’s life. In fact, he did so much good for so many people they needed to use Kansas City’s biggest arena, the Sprint Center, to host his funeral. Tom left an enormous footprint.
As I set down the paper I wondered what my own obituary would say. And though it might seem a bit morbid, I thought it would be a good "life" exercise to write out my own. At points throughout I wondered if what I was writing was what I HOPED people would say or what they would actually say. This 15-minute exercise helped me quickly think about what is most important in my life. I realized if there was any doubt about what would be written about me, NOW is the time to do the things necessary to take that doubt away. Because I have control over the content written after I graduate to the next life. And so do YOU!
Taking stock of what’s important
So this week, as uncomfortable as it may seem, think about what your obituary would say. And don’t worry, this exercise doesn’t have to be morbid. However, it WILL be enlightening. So get to your computer and follow these steps:
- Pick a creative way to go so you don’t get depressed during the exercise! For instance, here is the one I wrote: Sept. 8, 2035-Yesterday, Brian Sullivan dropped dead in Kerry, Ireland with a pint of Guinness in his hand after setting the record for the most consecutive rounds of golf by an American under 5 feet, 8 inches tall.
- List three personal accomplishments you would like to be known for by your friends and family. Whether you have done them yet or not isn’t important.
- List three professional accomplishments you would like to be known for by your peers. Just like the personal accomplishments, they can be things you have accomplished or want to do.
- List the people you will leave behind and what they thought of you. Be specific. Visualize the relationships that are important to you now. (This part will move you, but is perhaps the most important part of the exercise.)
- List something BIG you will be known for and put a date on when you accomplished that goal. Even if it is 15 years from now.
- Plan to view this every year at the same time to see if your actions will warrant the words written in your Obit.
- Then go LIVE!
This moving exercise will create urgency in you to love more, experience more, give more and to share more of yourself with everyone you meet ... a formula Tom Murphy figured out long ago.
Brian Sullivan is author of the book, "20 Days to the Top - How the PRECISE Selling Formula Will Make You Your Company’s Top Sales Performer in 20 Days or Less." To learn more, go to www.preciseselling.com
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