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What Is Your Legacy?
Some years ago, when I was approaching the big 5–0, my friend Ericka, a successful New York clothing designer (and a couple of years older than me), told me, “This is great! Your fifties are your legacy years!” That really stuck with me as I entered into and traveled throughout my fifties.
It’s true that the sixth decade is the peak year of earnings for men, and for women, more often in their 40s, according to Payscale. However, broader and less measurable markers like leadership, communication skills, and influence likely peak in the fifties for all.
But the idea of “legacy” has been more meaningful as I inch ever closer to retirement. What do I want to be remembered for? It can’t be simply to have made the most money during my middle-upper years.
For some, their legacy is their children. If the parents have done a good job, that is a tremendous legacy that (hopefully) will carry on for generations if their children’s parenting skills match their own.
But for me and millions of others, we don’t have children. And even those who have children may want to leave a legacy with their work or even with their personalities. Being remembered for smiling a lot, or for your kindness or generosity or compassion will get you many terrific eulogies at your funeral and great memories for your survivors for as long as they live. If you were a…
