People often seek me out when they’re dealing with particularly important transitions in their careers or lives. They’re seeking another point of view or a new skillset or they want to leverage something in a new way. Whether the client is 25 or 65, it’s common for the conversation to evolve beyond that particular period in time and we often end up talking about legacy.
Legacy is a heavy word, but the reality is we’re all leaving one, whether we’re thinking about it or not. If you are unclear about your legacy, creating a Vision is the place to start. Vision helps us get clear and articulate the legacy we want to leave versus waking up one morning and realizing the legacy we’ve created is nowhere near where our hearts want it to be.
Legacy has a wide range of possibilities… from global application to backyard functionality. From creating a game-changing technology to simply leaving people feeling a particular way whenever they encounter you.
One of the executives I work with loves to develop and mentor those that work for them. One dimension of his legacy is to meet with his people individually every month (yes, every month) and have a conversation about how they are growing in their careers.
Another one is passionate about model change and has been a pioneer in developing a new industry.
Creative Executives are a passionate bunch. You pour your heart and soul into your jobs, working long hard hours to sell great work. You often care so much about what you produce that it overrides the sacrifices you make to get it done. And even when you are burnt out, there’s a fire inside that makes it hard to leave what you’ve started. That’s the beauty and pain of being a creative executive, regardless of your industry.
The holidays are rapidly approaching. Before they do, turn some of that fire and passion on your own legacy. Seize the opportunity to think about the contribution you’re making. It’s one of the most generous things you can do this holiday season.
I invite you to take a few minutes this week to think about.
> What is the legacy I have created thus far?
> How do I contribute to those around me?
> What is the legacy I want to leave?
You have gifts to share. It’s never too late to start creating your lasting endowment. I’m always here to remind you of how great that difference can be.
In peace and gratitude for you,
jen
Additional Reads: The Simple Power of One a Day
As last week was the advertising mecca of Cannes where creative executives get acknowledged and handed gold lions for the best creative work in the world globally, it made me think of all the accomplishments they don’t had awards out for…
* The producer that put together the project players of a lifetime with a shoe-string budget.
* The manager whose employee got hired by one of the hottest companies in town due to their mentorship.
* The parent that had a sick kid at home, rocked a big client conference call, and peed all at the same time (not recommended but it does happen).
* A genuine heartfelt thank you from a normally miserable client.
The list could go on and on.
So look back at your last year. What are three things you thought were wins? I guarantee there are a plethora of accomplishments in there that are worth acknowledging.
According to research highlighted by Clay Christensen in How Will You Measure Your Life? there are two types of factors that influence our work – hygiene factors + motivators.
Hygiene factors are “elements of the work that, if not done right, will cause us to be dissatisfied.” Things that fall into this category are job security, compensation, status, work conditions, company policies, the way in which your supervisor manages/leads you, etc.
The interesting thing they discovered is that if these things are unsatisfactory and they are somehow all improved, it won’t necessarily make you love your job. It just makes you not hate it. (more…)There is no silver bullet or magic key.
Timing and strategy are important in thinking through a transition, growth, or move. But so is risk.
Strategy helps give context for what’s happened in the past as well as what could happen in the future.
Risk is the catalyst for chutzpah. It’s the underbelly of taking on anything new, trying a different idea or concept, or making a change. Are you waiting for the silver bullet or are you taking the risks you need to to get where you want to go?
This past weekend, my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. In honor of our latest milestone, I wanted to share the marriage helix with you.
The image below was drawn a few years ago on a really fun night after going through a particularly rough time in our lives. While discussing the previous months and our happiness with them being over, my husband drew this image and explained that the two strands represented our individual lives. Where they intersect represents us consciously coming back together to check in with each other. I think of those connection points as engagement in its truest form. (more…)
