“You can’t take anything with you, but you can leave something behind.”

This quote is more existential in nature, but I think incredibly important to consider.

Referring to Steven Covey’s “7 Habits Of Highly Effective People”, habit #2 is “to begin with the end in mind.” We’re going to take that recommendation to the furthest extreme and relate it with the ultimate end we’re aware of, which is our death.

That’s where today’s quote comes in: “You can’t take anything with you, but you can leave something behind.”

When we pass, everything that has ever existed about us in the physical plane stays in the physical plane. Our possessions continue on taking up space in the world. Our home occupies the same piece of land even though we’re no longer in it. Even our bodies decompose into organic materials that are recycled and reused by nature.

Everything gets left behind.

And that’s not just the material, tangible things we have in our life, but also the intangible, immaterial deposits we’ve made as well.

This is what it means to leave a legacy. It means that when you’re no longer here, the impacts of your existence are still being felt. The larger the impacts, the stronger the legacy. 

You can leave wealth for your family. You can leave ideas, philosophies, values, and lessons with family members, friends, and followers. You can leave businesses, movements, and projects that continue on with their mission even though you don’t. And importantly, it’s the way that you helped redirect people’s life paths, which then creates infinite ripples into the future.

Our capitalistic society tells us to consume and acquire more things. That the more we have the better. But if we think about what we leave behind through this broader lens, what matters more - The leftovers or the legacy?

So let’s be intentional about what we want to leave behind because it shows us where to invest ourselves today and we can make sure to bring it into our world. 

The truth is, when we reach the end of our life is uncertain. There are people going to sleep tonight who won’t go to sleep the next. Tomorrow is their last day, and they have no idea. While unlikely, it’s foolish to think that person couldn’t be us. 

So how can we show up today so that something meaningful is left behind, that our lives did make a difference. What head start and opportunity are you providing for loved ones? What ideas and lessons? What projects and movements will continue on. What lives have been permanently changed by your presence?

If you’re not happy with the extent of your answer right now, go out and change that, today.

Do you want to make your life a story worth telling? My good friend Gregory Benedikt put together a step-by-step guide to help you define your legacy and take action on it! You can get that guide here!