What is Your Legacy?

“Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.’ And I have always wished that for myself.” – Steve Jobs

This past week we lost one of this centuries’ visionaries, Steve Jobs.  I was driving home from the gym at the time and the only thing I could think of was, even with all of Steve Jobs’ money, he couldn’t beat cancer.

Like a smack in the face, the undeniable truth of how fleeting life has always been…but no one wants to think about.  One days drags into the next and before you know it – a day goes by, a year goes by, a lifetime goes by…

And when you have kids, both parents are working and you don’t have a minute for yourself, life goes by even quicker.

Ever since 2004 when Jobs was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it seems he couldn’t forget this hard fact.

“Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the opinions of others drown out your own inner voice. And most important, to follow your heart and intuition. Somehow already know what you want to become. Everything else is secondary.” -Steve Jobs

Known as the Edison of our time, Jobs’ sense of urgency and passion couldn’t be denied, as he changed the world with some of the most brilliant inventions ever created.

His legacy can’t be denied.

What Will They Say?

I am often reminded of a Gary Vaynerchuk key-note speech where he talked about his grandchildren.  In the speech his said that his grandchildren would be able to see everything he has done, good or bad – and this drives him everyday.

If you were to write your epitaph, what would it say?  How would you want to be remembered?  Is everything you’re doing now, match up with what you wrote?  If it isn’t, you have a problem – a big problem.  Life is fleeting and you only have one shot, don’t blow it.

What are people going to say about you?  What do people say about you now when you’re not in the room?

If it doesn’t match with how you want to be remembered, your legacy, you have some serious work to do.

Are you living up to your potential?

I am here to tell you that you’re not.  I am here to tell you that you can do better.

Are You Happy?

Do you love your job?

Do you get to see your kids enough?

Are you the grumpy person in the office that always has a sad story or complaint?

I wish I was in front of you so I could slap your face!

Wake up!

Life is passing you by and you’re going to miss it.  Refocus and don’t let your fear or laziness lull you into complacency.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” – Steve Jobs

Understanding where you are and where you want to go is only half the battle.  The other half is the most important – taking ACTION.  Get to work and quit talking about what you want to do tomorrow.  There is no freaking tomorrow, didn’t you see Rocky III?  There is only today and now is the time to build your legacy.  We lost Steve Jobs this week and we too will be gone someday.

You’re not guaranteed tomorrow, only today.

Never forget that.