Since 2011 I have been selecting one word that I wanted to see come to fruition in my life. My words over the years have been Hope, Journey, Love, Joy, Be, and Change. These words have shown up in my life in ways I could not have imagined. For example Hope and Journey became the name of the non-profit I started with some friends. Joy became the basis for my first book, my messages and my upcoming ventures. (Stay tuned for more information on those in upcoming posts.) Be was the year I took a leap of faith and started my own business so I could be me. (Plus I met Bradley Cooper that year, which starts with the letter “B”.) Last year my word was Change and I experienced that by getting healthy, by switching my routine so I could be as creative as possible and by shifting my focus from just sharing information to creating transformations. All these words have guided me into becoming the person I am today. Someone who is filled with hope and love, who is learning to find joy in the journey and to just be herself and who knows that the only person I can change in this world is myself. My word for 2017 is Abundance and I cannot wait to see how that unfolds and overflows in my life.
However in 2015 I discovered another word we need to think about and that is our Legacy Word. A Legacy Word goes beyond just what you want to experience or see happen in a given year, it is the essence of who you are and what you want to be remembered for. Your Legacy Word is tied to a higher purpose and calling. If you think about Mother Teresa her legacy word might be Compassion. If you think about John Maxwell it might be Leadership. If you think of Brene Brown you might think Vulnerability. When I think of my Dad I think Builder, my Grandma Calley-Hospitality, my Grandpa Donnie- Light, my Mom-Kindness, my best friend- Generosity. Whether you know it or not you are leaving a legacy, I am encouraging however to leave a legacy on purpose and not leave it to chance.
For me I want my life’s work and legacy to be JOY, which is what I try to live each and every day. And how do I know that I am living my legacy? Well people call me Joy accidentally all the time and whenever my ten year old niece sees the word joy she points it out to me and says “that’s you Auntie.” Don’t wait until it’s too late, discover your Legacy Word today.
Grab a pen and some paper and spend some time reflecting on these three questions:
- What is your superpower? That thing you are naturally gifted at.
- What can I do to make a difference in the world?
- What lights you up?
Then look at the common themes and threads. Finally try it out, practice it, live it and see if people start using that word to describe you. Also if you want help defining your Legacy Word, email me (info@dawnkaiser.com) to set up a strategy session, I would love to help you achieve clarity on your legacy.
Today live in the moment with the end in mind and be your Legacy Word. I would love for you to share your Legacy Word once you discover it.
