What Legacy Will You Leave? Embracing Joy and Laughter in Business and Beyond

"They say you die twice. Once when you stop breathing, and again when someone utters your name for the last time." - Attributed to Banksay

This poignant quote was shared with me by a former business coaching client during a conversation about coping with the loss of loved ones.

It resonates deeply, urging us to contemplate the kind of life we wish to lead and the legacy we hope to leave behind.

On a professional front, what constitutes a “grand” legacy? Is it the establishment of a multi-generational business empire? Or perhaps it's the quieter satisfaction of knowing you've made a meaningful difference through your work? Or alternatively you may have never contemplated your legacy at all…

Being an orphan has a way of putting things in perspective, especially when it comes to saying farewell to those we love and more importantly how we choose to live life. Significant milestones, like today, which marks my Mum's (Audrey's) birthday, serve as timely reminders about the legacy we all will leave.

My mum’s legacy transcends conventional measures of success. She wasn't a titan of industry, a celebrated author, or a public figure. Instead, her role encompassed a myriad of titles – cheerleader, mentor, confidante, and mischief-maker. Her work, she'd say, was "home duties," but it was so much more: a blend of love, guidance, and resilience.

Her boundless joy and infectious humour continue to inspire me. I recall her playful April Fools' pranks, like the phantom pony promised that was in the front yard that I needed to run out and see, which left me both disappointed and after a while laughing. This same sense of cheekiness infuses my interactions with clients, as life is pretty boring without a daily giggle, right?

And her wisdom? Priceless. Before every nerve-wrecking school event, she'd whisper, "Just do your best. That's all anyone can ask for" (even if my eventual outcome was last in the race). Her words still echo in my ears whenever I am tackling a new task in my business or questioning if I could have done more…

Her unwavering resilience during her battle with breast cancer left an unforgettable mark on me. There is nothing quite like watching a loved one – being poked and prodded for medical tests, cancer treatments, or having to ‘flash’ her breasts to multiple medical staff to understand what resilience truly means and to put ‘challenges’ that happen in business in perspective.

Her ability to face adversity head-on, with a giggle, steely determination and a ‘get on with it’ attitude serves as a guiding light in my darkest moments.

So, I ask you: What will you create or accomplish in your life that ensures your legacy endures long after your final breath?

And in honour of my Mum’s birthday today, let's make a deal: Do something cheeky, naughty, or downright joyful today would you? Trust me, the world can always use some more giggles.

For, in the end, isn't the true measure of a legacy the impact we have on those around us?

Mum, your second death is far far far away…. Your love, joy and cheekiness continue to guide my path, always.