Are You Creating A Legacy?

By Paige Arnof-Fenn

I created a global branding and digital marketing firm 24 years ago. My company’s mission is to bring world class marketing talent and expertise to organizations that want to make a difference in the world regardless of size or budget. We believe every organization deserves the right words and pictures to tell their story in compelling ways. I created a platform to do work I enjoy and feel energized by. I feel I have found my purpose because I used to work all the time as an employee and felt like life was passing me by. I got raises and promotions but I was all work and no play and I did not feel fulfilled.

I'd much rather be remembered by a few dear people on rainy days as the friend you could talk with for hours in front of the fireplace, in a coffee shop, on the phone or on warm days when taking a walk together than have my name on a building or plaque that thousands of people pass and never notice or wonder who I was and why my name was there. Making a lasting impression on the people who mean the most to me is what I really care about, and I want to be remembered for the right reasons: for being kind, warm, sincere, generous, unique, special, funny and fun. Being remembered as an entrepreneur or leader matters less to me than being remembered as someone who was a good listener, gave great advice, showed good judgment, and really cared about what I did and who I did it with every day.

I don't know who said "Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life," but I think that sentiment is true.

I want to be remembered as a multiplier, someone who raised the level of play of everyone around them, who always created positive energy in the room and sparked new ideas. A good rule of thumb to help guide you in life when you're trying to decide which path to pursue is to take a longer view of your options. So do you attend the wedding of a close friend or agree to speak at a prominent industry conference the same day in a different part of the country? In 10, 20 or 50 years, who will remember or care about the decision you make? Going through that exercise can help clarify priorities quickly.

I realize the choices I make every day with my time and my calendar directly impact how I'll be remembered. Who I spend my time with and how we pass that time together really matters. I will never get those moments back again, so I want to make sure I spend them each wisely. I hope it will be many decades before we find out my legacy.

To be honest, I still have a lot to accomplish. I think my biggest opportunities to make a difference and have an impact are still ahead of me. I want to change the world in some important way and know that it's in fact better because I was here.

My company is the platform from which I operate daily, so now that I'm thinking about these things, it occurs to me I don't have any succession plans in place. Like many entrepreneurs, I've been so busy building my business that I didn't make the time to think about the bigger issues like who'll keep my dreams alive without me here. I think the secret is to include others in your big dreams along the way, so even after you're gone, they continue to expand and reinvent them in relevant ways. That way, your spirit will live on in perpetuity.

Connect With Paige

www.linkedin.com/in/paigearnoffenn

www.mavensandmoguls.com