We live in a culture obsessed with success: bigger careers, better paychecks, higher status, more recognition. Success is celebrated loudly, splashed across social media feeds, and held up as the ultimate prize.
Success fades, but legacy lasts.
I’ve sat with women who’ve achieved incredible professional heights yet still feel something is missing. The promotion was great, but it did not meet their expectations. The recognition was exciting, but it was temporary. Then, I sat with women who, maybe didn’t have flashy titles, had lives that overflowed with impact, thanks to the people they touched, the seeds they planted, and the love and wisdom they shared. That’s legacy.
Success is about what you can gain. Legacy is about what you can give. Success is often measured in achievements. Legacy is measured in impact. Success ends with you. Legacy outlives you.
When I coach women, I often ask: “What do you want people to remember about you when you’re not in the room?” Rarely does anyone say, “I want them to remember my salary” or “the car I drove.” Instead, they say things like, “I want to be remembered as kind,” “I want to be known as someone who lifted others,” or “I want my children to grow up confident because of me.”
That is legacy. Legacy isn’t reserved for the rich or the famous. It’s built into the everyday choices we make.
- The student you mentor.
- The colleague you encourage.
- The child you believe in.
- The community you invest your time into.
Each of those moments creates ripples that extend far beyond you.
For me, legacy is deeply tied to my purpose. It’s why I pour myself into coaching women, mentoring young leaders, and building social enterprises. Yes, I want to succeed — but more than that, I want to leave something behind that matters.
When a woman I’ve coached tells me she finally dares to start her business, when a young person from Proudtobeme steps into leadership for the first time, when communities are lifted because one small initiative grew into something bigger — that’s legacy. That’s impact.
How to Think About Your Legacy
Here are a few reflective questions for you:
- Who am I impacting right now, whether I realize it or not?
- What values do I want people to remember me for?
- Am I building only for myself, or am I planting seeds for others, too?
Legacy doesn’t have to be massive. It just has to be meaningful.
So, as you chase your dreams, don’t stop at success. Go deeper. Ask yourself: What am I leaving behind? Who am I lifting as I climb? What story will my life tell when I’m gone?
Success ends when you do, but what about your legacy? Legacy is the echo of your life — and it keeps ringing long after you’ve gone.