Leaving a Legacy & the 5 Psychological Reasons We Want to Be Remembered
Episode 779: Show Notes
There are many psychological reasons that you may want to be remembered when you’re gone, but before we start delving into these, I want to give a disclaimer that leaving a legacy is not a requirement to live a good life. It does not define the quality of your impact during your lifetime and is not part of your responsibility while you are alive. So, what is a legacy? What does it mean to you and what are you striving towards? According to the Oxford Dictionary, a legacy is the amount of money or property left to someone in a will, but I believe that a legacy can be so much more than that! It’s an imprint. As if you left a piece of yourself behind.
A legacy can be the impact you have within the four walls of your own home and how you’ve affected family and friends or it can even stretch far beyond that. It’s not just a sum of money but rather the accomplishments that last a lifetime, your values, your ongoing influence, the good deeds you do, and so much more. If it’s not required to leave a legacy, then why is it so important to so many people? Well, because it gives you the opportunity to live for a purpose that’s bigger than yourself! According to Psychology Today, there are five reasons that people want to be remembered. So, let’s talk about them!
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Psychological Reasons Why People Want to Be Remembered
People want to be remembered because of their innate need to be loved. The strong wish and desire to be liked by others while we are alive fuels our desire to be liked and loved when we’re gone. I see women specifically holding onto the idea of making life better for their children and grandchildren and the importance of making some sort of generational impact. This isn’t necessarily about leaving money behind for these family members but rather it’s the need to be a good person; a person your children and grandchildren would be proud to be associated with.
The third reason is a more “under the surface" reason. You can fight anxiety by focusing on leaving a legacy, specifically anxiety around death. Focusing on leaving a legacy gives you a sense of symbolic immortality because leaving something of great value behind gives you the feeling that your existence has mattered. If you are struggling with the thought of feeling like you don’t matter, I encourage you to reach out and ask for help! On a more positive note, we can strive to want to have this legacy because of a desire to be part of a story. We use stories as a central part of how we connect with people and they make us feel seen and heard. The final reason people want to be remembered is because it makes it easier for them to imagine the future. Leaving a legacy can fill the gap of what happens after death, regardless of faith.
Why You Cannot Focus on Legacy Itself
I don’t see the harm in pursuing leaving a legacy because I believe you can focus on self-improvement while trying to leave something greater than yourself behind. With that being said, from my experience, you can’t necessarily focus on legacy itself! That’s where people get caught up. They get so focused on the future that they forget about what’s happening right now and life slips away. So, what do you need to be doing today and how can you be available and present for the people in your life right now? How can you create the imprint you want in the future today?
The One Thing You Need to Amplify the Building of Your Legacy
Basic needs have to be met before you can focus on giving. It isn’t possible to create the future you want if you don’t take care of yourself first. Beyond those basic needs, you need a sense of financial security and once those burdens are lifted, then there is space to explore what you can do in a far greater way. As much as you may not want to accept this, we live in a society where money is a fundamental requirement of all of these things. Even churches understand the importance of money! Let me be clear; do I think you need money to leave a legacy? No. But money can absolutely amplify the legacy that you want to leave!
How Being Selfish Starts You on the Journey to Creating Your Legacy
In the beginning, I want you to be 100% selfish until all of your basic human needs are met. I want you to be able to put food on the table consistently, be able to pay your rent or your mortgage, keep your life operational, and be able to spend the next part of your career fueling your future so you can create the financial security necessary for you to continue to live for the rest of your life. I think that learning about wealth and using it as a tool to amplify your impact is powerful! It can do so many things for your future and unlock so many opportunities.
I want to see you lead the life that’s important to you and create the career path that fuels your financial needs so you can leave behind the legacy you want to leave, regardless of what it looks like. I want you to share the legacy you desire to create and leave behind because that is a powerful and unique opportunity to connect with other people! Share it and tag me! My goal is for you to be successful and have access to the tools and resources necessary to help you! If you want help unlocking this wealth equation and figuring out how to move through these phases, go and watch my Untitled training now!
Quote This
A legacy is an imprint. As if you left a piece of yourself behind.
Highlights
Psychological Reasons People Want to Be Remembered. [0:11:41]
Why You Cannot Focus on Legacy Itself. [0:18:15]
The One Thing You Need to Amplify the Building of Your Legacy. [0:19:30]
How Being Selfish Starts You on the Journey to Creating Your Legacy. [0:22:31]
OUR HOST:
Abagail Pumphrey
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Abagail Pumphrey, the Co-Founder & CEO of Boss Project, has been a driving force in the creative entrepreneur industry since 2015. With a passion for empowering service-based business owners around the globe, she became internet-famous after the launch of the transformative training, "Trello for Business." This innovative system revitalized the operations of over 10,000 business owners, making a significant impact on the online business landscape.
Under Abagail's leadership, Boss Project has been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Marie Claire, INC, and HuffPost. Her twice-weekly podcast, The Strategy Hour, is a staple in the business community, continuously topping Business and Management Charts on Apple with millions of listeners from around the world.
Abagail's superpower lies in her ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-implement, duplicatable systems. As an expert in online sales and a data-driven strategist, she has turned a layoff into a 7-figure work-from-home business. Abagail's mission to help more female founders become financially free, without letting their businesses take over their lives, continues to inspire and guide entrepreneurs on their path to success.
Key Topics:
Legacy, Wealth Building, Inheritance, Impact, Generational Wealth
