What is a personal legacy?

Every so often, in quiet moments of contemplation, we might find ourselves wondering what traces of our identity will be left behind when we die and how we’ll be remembered. Beyond money and all the material stuff we’ve collected over time, our own personal story speaks to our achievements and the impact we’ve had on others during our lives – otherwise known as our personal legacy.

How do we shape our personal legacy?

Quite frankly, it can be strange thinking about how others perceive you. Sometimes it’s valuable to accept the limited control we have over those perceptions, while also making the most of the chances we have to lead a good life. When it comes to leaving a personal legacy that we’re proud of, where do we begin?

1. Conquering personal achievements

Success looks and feels different for everyone, so there’s no one size that fits all when it comes to our achievements. Our accomplishments can be any number of professional, personal and educational goals that enrich us as individuals. These achievements serve as living proof of what we’ve overcome and achieved in our own lives, in our own ways.

Your personal achievements might look like:

• Going back to school

• Raising your own family

• Starting a community book club

• Taking a risk in a new industry

• Leading others in a team

• Creating your own business

• Travelling the world

Big or small, a personal achievement can have a positive impact on your own well-being and journey in life. This can influence the way you and others see yourself, creating a lasting personal legacy.

2. Considering your digital legacy

It’s become natural to share so much of our lives online as a way to express ourselves and connect with others. Plus, it can also be really fun. As common as social media is, we rarely think about what happens with our digital legacy when we’re no longer around.

Your digital legacy might include:

• Emails

• Online conversations

• Social media profiles

• Photos

• Gaming profiles

• Blogs or websites

It’s safe to say that most of us at some point have shared something that our future selves mightn’t be super impressed by. Whether you want to save yourself from embarrassment (yes, it can still haunt you) or protect your reputation, it’s worth deciding who will control your digital legacy by writing it into your Will.

3. Positively impacting others

At the end of the day, your personal legacy is shaped by the people who know you and how you’ve inspired or helped them. We’re not saying you need to change the whole world, but positively impacting your own world can make a big difference in how you’re remembered. Understanding your social responsibility to act kindly and generously can help shape your personal legacy.

You might positively impact others by:

• Making charitable donations

• Sharing your time, expertise and talent

• Volunteering for nonprofit organisations

• Cleaning up litter

• Donating blood

• Spending quality time with people

Writing your Will is one of the simplest ways to positively help others and shape your personal legacy. When you’re not around anymore, your Will can communicate your wishes and help leave a charitable contribution to any organisation you’d like to support.

Give back with Safewill

By partnering with charities around Australia, our services have helped make leaving charitable gifts in your Will easy. Help shape your personal legacy and get started with Safewill today.