You cannot create a legacy without knowing your purpose and passion in life. A legacy is created when a person lives their life with purpose, recognized by others for their commitment and dedication towards their goals.The legacy lives because other people recognize you for it.
You have already started writing your legacy. What do people remember about you? What do you dedicate your time and effort to accomplish?
These questions maybe difficult to answer if you have not discovered your purpose. On the other hand some people grab onto their purpose and work their entire life pursuing their goals. I admire these people.
John Maxwell knew at age 17 he wanted to study and learn from successful people. Throughout his life as a pastor, writer, and speaker, he dedicated time each day to learn from others, collect stories of success, and inspiring quotations. Today he is recognized as a guru on leadership, and has trained millions of people around the world through his organizations.
Julian Barbour is another individual that has dedicated his life to the pursuit of his passion, Julian has pursued radical research in physics, challenging Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.
He received his Ph.D. degree on the foundations of Einstein’s general theory of relativity from the University of Cologne in 1968. Since then, Barbour has supported himself and his family without an academic position, working part-time as a translator. He has stepped away from the traditional to allow himself to be an independent researcher.
Today his theories are beginning to gain support and other researchers are collaborating on changing the generally accepted understanding of gravity, space, and time. His lifelong dedication to his purpose has been uncompromising.
“Why do some people get caught by an idea that takes over your life? I don’t know, but I do know that as long as it doesn’t drive you crazy, it is a blessing”, Barbour says. “When I started out on this journey 40 years ago, I said to my family that I know what I want to do and it will take me the rest of my life to do it — and that is the way it has worked out.”
I feel humbled when I compare my accomplishments with these great men. I don’t believe I will ever achieve the same level of greatness. But I know I can work to achieve the best that I can.
It is never too late to work on improving your legacy. Because whether you like it or not, it is already being written.