When talking about building a legacy, the late philanthropist, Marjorie Fisher, said it perfectly: “Legacy begins in the heart and then you move to your head”.
This statement shows what it really means to make a lasting difference in the world. It reminds you that a meaningful legacy isn’t just about wealth or material contributions — it’s about the love we share, the values we uphold, and the positive influence that we leave on the world.
To dive a little deeper into the concept of leaving a lasting legacy, I’ve invited my good friend Alison Patterson (a seasoned philanthropic advisor and founder of Patterson Philanthropic Advisors) to write and share her expertise in this month’s blog.
Alison’s insights are invaluable. Especially if you’re looking to align your actions with your values, and create a legacy that reflects your true self. Through her work, she helps people and families figure out how to give to charity and plan their legacy, making sure their gifts make a real difference.
Alison will discuss how we can all start to think more intentionally about our legacy. Whether you’re just starting to think about your legacy or looking to refine it, this blog will provide valuable guidance on how to make sure that your life’s work and values live on.
Read her thoughts below!
The Importance of Sharing Your Story
Of course, your most precious legacy is your family. But your life and priorities have been more than that, and your legacy can reflect the diverse and complex individual you are. It’s important for each of us to share our stories, traditions, and knowledge, along with any wealth and treasures to our family.
Essentially, we are talking about the story of your life — what people will say about you at your funeral, not just what is written in your obituary. Who were you really? How did you make the world a better place?
Here’s one way that living a legacy lifestyle has shown up in my own life. I lost my mother about 9 years ago in July, and then I lost my father about 4 years ago. My parents were the people who taught me how to live a legacy lifestyle, because that’s how they lived their lives. They didn’t do a lot of giving in terms of big gifts at the end of their life — they were doing it quietly and humbly along the way.
My Mother’s Legacy
My mother grew up in southeastern Alabama during the Depression. She’d often recall her early years and her family was careful about how they ate. Fast forward: she became a teacher and moved to the mountains of southeastern Kentucky with my father.
During her time as a teacher, she noticed that children in her classrooms struggled to stay present and attentive, often resting their heads on their desks. She attributed this to inadequate nutrition, as many of them relied on carb-heavy school lunches that didn’t provide the necessary nutrients.
Her great hope for me was to become a nutritionist and return to southeastern Kentucky to teach women how to prepare nutritious meals with their food stamp budgets. (Many families worked in the mines during the 70s and 80s and were on food stamps.) While that wasn’t the path I took, I found other ways to honor her values.
When my daughter was old enough, I joined No Kid Hungry as a baker, and she became a junior baker. Despite my busy schedule and limited resources, we made family recipes together, sharing stories and enjoying the process. It was also a learning experience in fractions, counting, and basic entrepreneurship.
Through these activities, my daughter learned the importance of nutrition, a core value in both our families. This experience illustrated how a legacy lifestyle involves passing down values and making a positive impact through everyday actions.
Building a Legacy Mindset
The Essence of Building a Legacy Mindset
Imagine what you want people to remember about you. Were you kind? Generous? Did
you inspire others? These are the elements that shape your legacy. Having a legacy mindset means living in a way that makes a positive and lasting difference. This is the essence of building a legacy mindset—an approach that goes beyond wealth and assets, delving into the day-to-day impact we have on the lives of our families and others. It’s never too early or too late to start thinking about the legacy you are creating.
Living with Purpose and Intention
When you begin living with this mindset and actively think about how your daily
actions build your legacy, it becomes your guiding purpose. It’s your North Star, your
focus, and your guide to living the life you want. By adopting a legacy mindset, you make sure that your actions are consistent with the values and principles you hold dear.
The Power of a Purpose Statement
The first step in aligning your life with your legacy begins with understanding your “why.” Do you have a purpose statement? A greater “why” statement that you can touch and hold onto in the small day-to-day choices you make?
Let’s face it, life can be tough. We face challenges and problems that can easily pull us away from our goals. However, when you approach life through a legacy mindset, you build your legacy in alignment with your aspirations, goals, and vision for your life. This sense of purpose can help you navigate difficult times, ensuring that even your struggles contribute to the greater story you are creating.
Practical Steps to Building a Legacy Mindset
1. Identify Your Core Values
Start by identifying the values that are most important to you. These could include being honest, kind, persistent, or any other values that matter to you. Once you have a clear understanding of your core values, you can start making decisions that reflect them.
2. Create a Purpose Statement
Make a statement that represents your purpose. This statement should serve as the criteria for your decisions and actions. It can be something simple like, “I aim to inspire and support others through acts of kindness and generosity,” or more specific to your personal ambitions.
3. Set Long-Term Goals
Think about what you want to accomplish in your lifetime. These goals should match your values and help create the legacy you want to leave behind. Whether it’s supporting your family and friends, mentoring others, supporting charitable causes or achieving professional success, your goals should reflect your aspirations for a meaningful life.
4. Make Daily Choices with Intent
Each day, make choices that align with yourpurpose and values. It can be simple — like offering a kind word to a stranger, volunteering your time, or making ethical decisions in your business dealings. Over time, these small actions build a larger legacy.
5. Reflect and Adjust
Regularly think about your daily actions and decisions. Are they aligned with your legacy goals? If not, adjust. Life is always changing, and so is your legacy. Being adaptable guarantees that you remain true to your purpose even as circumstances change.
How Patterson Philanthropic Advisors Can Help You
Building a legacy mindset is about more than financial security; it’s about creating a meaningful impact that lasts long after you’re gone. By consciously living in alignment with your values and purpose, you can build a legacy that reflects who you truly are and what you stand for.
When you work with me, this type of approach will add a new dimension to your planning. Together, we’ll make sure that your true legacy — the story of your life and the impact you had on others — lasts. It’s not just about dividing assets; it’s about preserving and promoting the values that matter to you. I’ll help you craft your unique legacy today. Then Kirsten at Schroeder Larsen Law can help you incorporate your legacy into your estate plan through charitable trusts, foundations, or other sources. My goal is to make sure your legacy lasts and continues to help others for a long time.
Ready to get started?
Join Kirsten and Alison on September 12th at 6 p.m. for the second Expert Symposium — where we’ll be discussing how to get started building your legacy and tying it to your estate plan. RSVP here. If you can’t make it, but want to learn more from Alison, click here to schedule a 30 minute appointment with her. Click here to schedule a 30 minute appointment with Alison!