Legacy
(Typically starting in your 50s)
With life expectancy rising and healthcare improving, it is increasingly common for adults to work well into their 70s. Some at this life stage also pursue “encore careers,” putting their hard-earned expertise to work for communities and causes that tug at their heartstrings. Whether you have achieved financial security or are still building your nest egg, it pays to consider what retirement might look like for you and your loved ones.
As with the previous inflection points, Calling and Emergence, a purposeful response demands accurate self-knowledge and a clear-eyed look at what is possible. Leadership for Life provides curated sources and time-tested practices to equip, encourage, and inspire you as you consider the legacy you wish to leave.
“We make a living by what we get,
but we make a life by what we give.”
—WINSTON CHURCHILL
The Conscience Code provides ten steps to help you fight for your values. But what if you don’t know what your values are in the first place?
Shawn Achor’s suggested practices are staples of my own practice of cultivating the optimal mindset.
The Power of Meaning introduces the foundational elements for crafting a more meaningful life, along with promising practices for cultivating them.
Rick Hanson provides a trove of scientifically based (and wisdom-tradition-endorsed) practices for leading one’s life with compassion, courage, and positive impact.
Neuroscience shows that we can leverage the architecture of our brains to create a more peaceful and productive mind.
Rituals enhance our lives by transforming ordinary actions into the extraordinary. Go out and experiment.
The Enchiridion is timeless wisdom for all those who want to live freely and decide wisely.
The Naked Now may be Richard Rohr’s most sophisticated and thorough articulation of an accessible form of contemporary mysticism. While his remarks and insights are grounded in a particular wisdom tradition, his message is relevant to all.
Here are my top three resources for legacy, when we look toward the last decades of work and a rewarding post career life.