You’re making your legacy now.
Often you see leaders thinking of their legacy as a valedictory project. In the last year of your term in office, or your time as CEO, or your career as a teacher, you think, “What do I want my legacy to be?”
Too late, in my opinion. By that time, your legacy is already decided.
You make your legacy through the 1,000 tiny choices you make every year, the slow changes made over time. Once you’ve gotten the basic mechanics of your job under control, every day is a chance to shape your legacy. In fact, the earlier days are the most important – like financial investments, early choices compound over time.
Don’t think about legacy later. You’re making your legacy now.