The Legacy Drawing Board

Life may be a journey, but your legacy needs to be a quest.  Design is the process of delivering a clear, concise, and consistent message through artistry.  The hero's narrative is that of a quest, not a journey.  The purpose of telling your story in your voice is to ensure your message will impact generations.   

Your legacy is like your name; it's yours, but it's meant for others to use.  Your legacy begins with design, progresses with building, and is completed when you share it.  Your legacy needs a proper distribution channel to maximize its impact.  Listen and learn how to build your channel.    

Imposter syndrome impacts our lives at home and at work.  Suddenly, our joy sinks into doubts and fear of being exposed.  We can address imposter syndrome by designing for it.  The good design principles of innovation and honesty will restore your focus on growth and legacy building.  

A story consists of a beginning, a middle, and an ending.  A lack of ending indicates lack of design and forethought.  Say what you have to say and trust that less is more.  Bring your story to end in order that the listener can take it with them as source of inspiration and encouragement.  

How do you define success?   What will you do and what won't you do to obtain it?  I comment on the Wall Street Journal essay "You Don't Have to Be a Jerk to Succeed" in terms of how pursuit of success defines your legacy.  

Think of your legacy as a film.  It needs music for accompaniment.  The soundtrack should compliment, not compete with, the visual  message.  Have you designed your thoughts, words, and deeds to deliver a clear, concise, and consistent message?  Listen to this episode to enhance your legacy with creativity and nuance.    

I interview my son Jonathan for his perspectives as a composer in scoring a film, how artists stay true to their visions when collaborating, and how today's economic forces shape and drive content.  

In this episode, I interview coffee roaster co-founder and entrepreneur Isaiah Sidouang.  Isaiah shares his insights regarding growth through challenging self and the importance of persistence in the pursuit of building a legacy.   

1 Corinthians 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  Is love at the foundation of your legacy building?  Do you seek to love those you encounter at home or at work?  You cannot build a meaningful legacy without love.  

Influential industrial designer Dieter Rams designated innovation as the first principle of good design.  Creativity demands attention to detail and dedication.  You cannot design your legacy if you are not willing to put in the sweat equity to harness your creative flow.  Listen to increase your creative output.