26. What Are You Known For?

It’s a question people will ask if it’s a conversation about legacy. What do you want to be known for? Commonly, the answer is approached from an end of life perspective. What will people say about you after you’re gone? It’s a big, important question, but today I’d like you to consider it in the present tense.

What are you known for? Now, to your friends and family. To your co-workers and social media followers. What is it that they would describe you as? Does the answer you think they’d give reflect how you would like to be described? Can you honestly say that the impression you exude to the world is the one you’re hoping for?

It’s not that we should be dependant on the opinions and perspectives of others. In fact, that’s a dangerous path to go down, but let’s not turn the dial all the way over and pretend how people perceive us doesn’t matter. Who you are has the direct capability to make positive or negative influence on those around you. Therefore, who you are matters to more than just you, so take yourself seriously.

When it comes to what you want to be known for, there’s a cool realization that I hope you see that’s simply you can choose what it is. You can do whatever you want and either reap the rewards or pay the consequences. Really, the choice is yours. Not only can you do whatever you want, you can be whoever you want. The ability to complete this sentence is yours: “I’m the kind of person who…”

Consider what you want that sentence to sound like and act accordingly. Presumably, that sentence portrays a version of success in your head, so take note of what my favourite speaker says: