Career

Create a legacy through your work ethic

If work is where your passion lies, you’re not alone. Nearly a third of Americans say their career gives their life meaning. Whether you’re a teacher, a business owner or a c-suite executive, your work can provide you a sense of mastery – not to mention an opportunity to share your knowledge and amplify your influence. If you seek to make a lasting impact on your organization, industry and beyond, read on for some ideas to help make it happen.

Make the leap

Not taking enough career risks was a top regret cited in the book “30 Lessons for Living.” This could mean accepting that assignment in a new location, or taking your business to the next level. After all, fortune favors the bold.

Publish your insights

If you’ve gathered wisdom about business and leadership over your lifetime, perhaps it’s time you shared that knowledge via a podcast, blog or book. You don't have to be a celebrity to be a thought leader.

Take stock of what matters

Live today, and prepare for tomorrow. Review what considerations and conversations might be helpful to your legacy planning, and what documents you should have in place.

Become a mentor

Chances are, someone helped you get to where you are today. You can be that lifeline for a colleague. If you’re a business owner, you can help other entrepreneurs as a mentor for SCORE


All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.
Jim Rohn
48%
48% of CEOs want their legacy to be that they grew or transformed their businesses. Source: PwC’s 17th Annual Global CEO Survey, 2015
More than a third of Americans say their career gives their life meaning. Source: Pew Research Center 2017 study
1/3
68%
68% of business owners say they intend to keep their business in the family, yet only 26% have a formal succession plan. Source: Deloitte’s 2019 global family business survey

It is the nature of man to rise to greatness if greatness is expected of him.

John Steinbeck