A Lesson in Leaving a Legacy

Annabeth and Carl Schneider (not their real names) immigrated to the U.S. from Europe in the late 1950s. In the early 1980s, the couple moved from the West Coast to the Deep South, where Carl enjoyed a successful career.

The Schneiders never had children, but they poured themselves into two worthy causes: addressing food insecurity and supporting the arts. They volunteered with—and helped fund—the local food bank. They also served on a local museum board, chaired fundraisers for various art education initiatives, and helped start an annual Renaissance Festival in their state.

After Carl died, Annabeth continued to support these causes. When she passed away a few years later, Argent stepped in as executor of her estate. My task was to liquidate the couple’s belongings, sell their home, and distribute the assets per Annabeth’s will.

The experience was unforgettable. I’ve never been part of a settlement where the estate was 100% charitable. In this case, area arts groups as well as charities—both local and national—that address the root causes of hunger were the recipients of millions of dollars. The organizations were speechless. This kind of funding is both rare and transformative. It can bring about immediate change and long-term good.

Sadly, I never got to meet Annabeth or her husband. But their intentionality and lavish generosity prompted me to re-think what it means to leave a legacy.

Isn’t that what we all want? To positively impact those around us? To make the world a better place? I know when I’m older, I will want to look back on a life well-lived. But how do we accomplish that?

I’ve come to believe that leaving a legacy requires three things:

1|Clarifying what a well-lived life means to you
2|Creating a personal legacy plan and putting it into place
3|Surrounding yourself with people who will help you finish well

What does a well-lived life mean to you?

Some people view a meaningful life through the lens of family, others through philanthropic efforts or career success.  For some, it’s a combination of those things…or measured by an altogether different yardstick.

If you see a successful life primarily tied to family, it means doing all you can to help your children grow into responsible, productive adults. You take every opportunity to pass on cherished family traditions, values, and priorities.

If you define a good legacy as leaving wealth to the causes near and dear to your heart, that will mean doing a version of what the Schneiders did. You volunteer and contribute during life; you give even more of your financial assets at death.

If you see a meaningful career as the best way to make your mark, maybe you’re motivated daily to help coworkers succeed. Or you mentor younger leaders. Or perhaps you’re inspired to build your own company and pay your employees well so they’re able to provide good things for their families.

What is the common thread between all of these ideas? You see your purpose as enhancing the lives of the people around you. Your goal is to use the abilities and resources at your disposal—your time, energy, experience, money, or skill—to make life better for others.

How do you create a legacy plan and put it into practice? 

You create a plan for “finishing well” the same way you plan anything. You write down your intentions. Make them as specific as you can, and make sure they’re realistic.

Some people do this by actually writing out their own obituary or eulogy—i.e., what they hope others might say about them at their funeral. Doing this exercise—and then reviewing your obituary periodically—is a sobering exercise. But it’s also a powerful way to remind yourself of where you want your life to end up. This habit serves as a compass, keeping you fixed on your legacy goals.

You put your legacy plan into practice—i.e., you build your legacy—the same way you build anything —brick by brick, action by action, day by day. Great legacies are only constructed through intentionality and consistency. This is where the work of James Clear, author of the best-selling Atomic Habits, has been so helpful to so many.

How do you surround yourself with people who will help you finish well?

This is the fun part. You get to choose your dream team! Share your intentions and goals with supportive family members, loyal friends, and wise mentors. “Going public” like this can be scary, but making your legacy goals known adds an extra layer of accountability.

As you begin—and depending on the legacy you want to leave—you may find you need…

• More monetary resources — If so, you’ll want to find a trusted advisor to help you reach financial goals.
• Legal help — Estate planning is a necessity, not a luxury. You’ll want to name a trust company/fiduciary in your will to act as agent in executing your charitable strategy.
• More training — Going back to school or joining a mastermind will mean adding some teachers and experts to your “legacy team.”
• Steady inspiration — You’ll definitely want some cheerleaders and role models in your corner. I’ve found certain podcasts to be extremely motivating.
• Better health — This could mean hiring a personal trainer, a sleep specialist, a dietician, or a therapist. After all, the longer and better you live, the more impact you can have, right?

Someone once said that the real measure of a life is not its duration but its donation. I believe that’s true. In the end, it’s what we give that determines our legacy.

Why are people like Annabeth Schneider and her husband able to have such an impact? How can we finish well?

The details will look different for each of us. But the process of leaving a legacy is always the same.

1|Decide in advance what kind of legacy you want to leave.
2|Devise a plan to make that happen—and get busy.
3|Surround yourself with people who can help you finish well.