No, probably not. For 99% of what you put in place of “it” in the title of this blog, the answer is no. If that’s the case, why are we so obsessed with the idea of legacy? We strive, struggle, and stress to ensure we leave a legacy when we’re gone. Sadly, it is almost always a practice of vanity.
We have a hidden problem with legacy. From this side of eternity, we look at it as a goal. At the same time, we gladly take it upon ourselves to assign legacy to those on the other side of the grave without an inkling of considering what they may have wanted. See the issue there? If not, here’s the punchline: your legacy won’t be your own to define so it isn’t a worthy goal.
Before you get offended and throw the “I’m special” argument at me, let me show you my thinking. Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Edison, Margaret Thatcher, Abe Lincoln, and Mandela all have a legacy, right? Each is known for incredible acts that changed history. Yet, each of them also shares the reality that their legacy is shaped and diverted to fit certain agendas. They haven’t been included in the conversations of how they are remembered or what they are remembered for. Instead, each faced a problem right in front of them. These master legacy builders focused on the present and let the future take care of itself.
These master legacy builders focused on the present and let the future take care of itself.
Lincoln wanted to maintain the Union, MLK fought to end injustices in his immediate experience, and Edison wanted electric light for his generation. I could name more, but the point is made. Legacy is not yours to determine, you can’t chase it. Your best bet is to focus on winning in the present and let legacy follow you.
Legacy is not yours to determine, you can’t chase it. Your best bet is to focus on winning in the present and let legacy follow you.
So, that brings us back to where we started. Will it matter in 100 years?
Take your average day and consider how many of the decisions you are afraid to make or that you stress over for hours, will matter in 100 years. Whether you buy the new car or the used one with some dents? Won’t matter. If you take that job to make an extra few thousand dollars? Won’t matter. If you make a mistake as a parent and say something you shouldn’t? Yup, probably won’t matter (of course this one is touchy but I’m talking majority here). It’s not to say that these things aren’t important, but it is a push to put your daily crap in perspective. It’s to remind all of us to live more freely without the pressure that comes with our genetic arrogance to believe what car we buy has some kind of cosmic effect on the world.
“But wait”, you say, “isn’t it a little ironic that you, writing about meaning and LIFE all the time would say we don’t really matter?” Ah, astute observation my friend. But I never said you don’t matter. As Medal of Honor recipient and advocate for life, Dakota Meyer often says, “you matter.” In fact, I think you matter a whole lot more than you might even want to know. But that’s just it, you matter so we need you, not some form of you trying to create a legacy. When you focus your energy on legacy, we lose you in the present. You matter today, so be here today.
When you focus your energy on legacy, we lose you in the present. You matter today, so be here today.
Know that you don’t have to be in misery over 99% of your decisions because the outcomes won’t matter in 100 years (or even 3 days for most of them). Instead, put your energy into the problem you want to solve right now. Let others determine your legacy, all you can do is worry about now.
Here are some ways to reframe common questions to get more present and less legacy focused:
- What do I hope to be remembered for? Becomes “What do I hope my teammates say about me when they go home after work?
- “What do I want people to say at my funeral?” becomes “What do I want people to describe me as tomorrow?”
- “What should my life mean when I’m gone?” is now, “What does my life mean today?”
- “Who do I want to make a change for in the future?” should be “Who’s life can I make better today?”
Since this blog is about the LIFE Council and its principles, let me tie it in. The bottom line is that to live with love, integrity, fellowship, and excellence you must focus on today and let go of your legacy. Be okay with knowing that much of what you do, if not all of it, won’t matter a whole lot in 100 years so you’re real work is for the now.
I know that’s tough to sit with but if you really think about why it’s tough, it doesn’t really hold up. It’s tough because it worries you not to matter but the reality is, you won’t be here to check on your legacy anyway.
Weekend Challenge
Let go of your need for legacy. To do that this weekend, shift your energy to the present. This weekend, you’re going to face some decisions. Thousands of small ones and maybe a couple of big ones. At the end of the weekend, write “Will it matter in 100 years?” at the top of a piece of paper. Down the left side, write any decisions you remember making over the weekend. Corresponding on the right side, answer the 100-year question. I think you’ll be amazed at how much energy you put into decisions that don’t deserve it. If you come across one that you answer “yes” to, you just found the present focus you need to have and the one or two decisions that might actually matter to your legacy after all. Focus on them today and tomorrow and let your legacy fall in line.
Let yourself of the hook for legacy this weekend. It isn’t yours to determine anyway.
Best today. Better tomorrow. Have a good weekend everyone!
“Legacy is not yours to determine, you can’t chase it. Your best bet is to focus on winning in the present and let legacy follow you.”
This is fantastic. I love this perspective. Be the best you can be, today, for the important people in your life, now, and everything beyond that is outside of your control.
When I run a few hypothetical situations through my head and ask myself whether or not it will matter in 100 years, there is a pretty common theme; the majority of things that accompany a “yes”, for me, involve actions for other people. Sometimes this involves the mitigation of suffering for the community at large. In other scenarios, it involves being a good example for my daughter or creating some sense of security for my wife. I believe those types of things, the generational legacy of leading by example and providing the best opportunity for others, have the potential to positively benefit humanity in 100 years. It doesn’t matter whether or not my name is tied to any of it.
Thanks for adding this perspective, Blake! As I asked myself the question of, “will it matter in 100 years?” I found it to be a real challenge because I tend to be someone who puts too much anxiety behind even the smallest decisions. Your discovery that what has the potential to matter after we are gone is the impact we have on others is the key. Selfish acts don’t tend to age well through history. And thanks for bringing in the point that even if your name isn’t tied to it, it is still worth it. I hadn’t thought of that but you are absolutely right. If we live to glorify ourselves, our glory goes to the grave with us. Appreciate you, brother!