Too often, I come across individuals who seemingly have it “all.” On the surface, they’ve built amazing businesses which serve as models for other executives. What is less obvious, however, is how much some leaders have completely ignored every other aspect of their life in their pursuit of business excellence.
Is this the legacy you want to build for yourself?
When developing your vision for the future, you should consider all aspects of your life. Although there are numerous tools that can help you define these categories, one such tool is the Wheel of Life, which breaks life into eight overarching areas: health, career, personal development, finances, life enjoyment, societal contribution, relationships and romance.
What Do I Want to Be Remembered For?
Getting these eight areas in alignment starts with asking yourself the tough but inevitable question, “what do I want to be remembered for?”
When building the framework around your legacy, a good wayfinding exercise is to consider what you’d like your obituary to read.
In 2019, this piece of advice was exemplified after the passing of my good friend Morgan Nields. His obituary read that he “was a friend to thousands.” His funeral, probably the largest I’ve ever attended, was filled with the same outpouring of love that was personified in his obituary.
Morgan was an entrepreneur, and a visionary in medical imaging, and he was also always happy to lend a hand to other entrepreneurs like me.
During his memorial ceremony, I also learned that Morgan had a specific goal for his life. He wanted to make a positive contribution to everyone he interacted with.
His purpose struck a chord with me and it also continues to guide the work I do with other business leaders here at PFD Group.
Time, Talent & Treasure
When crafting the vision around your legacy, it also helps to consider that you really only have three pillars that are yours to give.
Your time, your talent and your treasure
The expression originates in Matthew 6:21 but it has also become an underpinning for much of today’s philanthropic giving.
How you choose to share your three pillars with others is completely defined by you. Yours could be a bold vision with your family name gracing medical buildings and scholarship programs. Or it could be a quieter legacy, like Morgan's, whose purpose was tied directly to the people he personally knew and interacted with.
While Morgan left a quieter legacy, it is no less important to the people he touched.
I’m Too Busy to Define My Vision
If you're thinking, “I’m just too busy to define my vision right now. Maybe next month,” that’s not uncommon. We often hear this sentiment from our newer clients.
Executives often start with an amazing idea for their business. They pour all–or at least most–of their attention into growing this idea. When the business enters the stage known as “successful,” they might take a moment or two to celebrate.
But as the business grows, there’s always more to do. Maybe you just don't know when or how to stop “wearing all the hats.” Or maybe your life is not in balance as your business continues to take more than its fair share of your attention.
A laser-sharp focus on business is never healthy when it comes at the expense of the other aspects of your life. And the demands of your business are only going to get greater, not less, as the business succeeds.
That’s why it is important to have a vision for yourself that guides you so you can be successful in all areas of your life.
If you are now at the point in your business development where you can’t even imagine taking the time for yourself, we can help. We specialize in helping CEOs thrive in their business AND in their personal lives.
To start, take a look at our Legacy Vision Tool, which can help you codify what you want your future to look like
If you’d like more information, please contact us today for a one-on-one introductory session.