By 
One of the biggest motivators for people in their 50s and 60s is leaving a lasting legacy. According to Carl Jung, in middle age we move from cataloging achievements to discovering meaning. We are beginning to realize that life is limited, and while many of us think of our mid-fifties or early sixties as mid-life, we are also aware that we probably won’t live to be one hundred and twenty.
For some, their legacy is their children; for others they are his ideas. What will be your legacy? How will you refocus your productivity in midlife? As we get older, we start to think about what it all means and how we would like to be remembered.
Here are some questions to help you think about your legacy:
1. Is it important to me to give back to my community or the world?
2. Do I want to make sure that others inherit money and/or material things from me?
3. Do I want to leave something behind that will create memories for others?
4. How do I want to be remembered?
5. What am I doing to create a legacy?
6. How do I want to influence other people?
7. Are there causes I want to get involved with?
8. Are there skills that I would like to teach others?
One way to begin to see what is important in your life is to look to the end of your years. Writing an obituary or testimonial is a common way to focus on what you want in life and how you would like to be remembered.
Here is a simple three-step process:
1. First, write your obituary. Find a quiet, private space and something to write. Turn off the TV. Get rid of any distractions. Take a few deep breaths. Clear your mind of other concerns. If you wish, close your eyes.
Imagine a room full of people who love you and have come together to celebrate your life. Imagine that you have achieved everything you ever hoped to do. All your dreams have come true. Everyone who is important to you comes together to talk about what a wonderful person you were and your many accomplishments. Write what they say about you. Make the list as detailed as possible.
2. Second, go back and underline or highlight your accomplishments. This will tell you what your goals are and what you value. Every accomplishment you have yet to achieve can be turned into an intention or a goal statement. You now know what you hope your legacy will be, and you have a general plan to achieve it.
3. Third, develop a vision statement for yourself. They should be one or two sentences that describe how you will be in the world. It is not an action plan. It is similar to the obituary in that it is a full stop. It is different because it provides direction and focus to all your activities.
Your personal vision statement should describe what your ultimate vision of your life’s greater purpose is, in terms of growth, values, contributions to society, etc. Use your legacy and goals to guide you through this process. Once you have defined your vision, you can begin to develop strategies to move toward that vision. Part of this includes developing a mission statement.
Why spend time thinking about his legacy? Knowing what you want your legacy to be and defining your personal vision will shape the other six key decisions you will make in midlife. You will need support environments and systems that allow you to implement your vision. Your creative expression, your personal relationships, and the work you do all implement that vision. Knowing what you want your legacy to be will serve as a beacon to guide you through the second half of your life.