Crafting A Legacy That Matters Now
- Dana VanBrimmer
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
When the dust of our existence settles and the final words about us are spoken, what remains?
Most people spend their days caught up in tasks, to-do lists, and distractions—always moving, rarely questioning where they’re actually going. It’s easy to assume legacy is something built over decades, something to think about later. But later is a mirage. It keeps slipping just beyond reach, and before you know it, the days have stacked into years spent chasing things that won’t matter in the end.
The Default Legacy vs. The Intentional One
You will leave a legacy whether you design it or not. If you never pause to consider it, you’ll inherit the default version—a legacy built from habits, reactions, and circumstances. Maybe it’s being "hardworking" but always too busy. Maybe it’s being "nice" but never making a real impact. Or maybe it’s being "successful" but at the cost of true connection.
A legacy isn’t just about being remembered—it’s about what is remembered. And more importantly, what continues because of you. Did your life spark something greater, or did it simply pass through the motions?
The Cost of Not Deciding
Most people assume their legacy will be shaped by the big moments—promotions, milestones, public victories. But legacies are carved in the quiet, daily choices. The way you show up for people. The courage to take a risk instead of playing it safe. The discipline to pursue something meaningful instead of something easy.
If you don’t define your legacy now, you risk spending your life on things that won’t outlive you. The money will be spent. The titles will be replaced. The possessions will collect dust.
But the way you made people feel? The impact you had? The lives you changed, directly or indirectly? That lingers.
Think about the people you admire most. It’s likely not because of their job title or their bank account balance. It’s because they showed up, inspired, led, or made a difference in a way that mattered. And they didn’t wait for permission to do it.
The Myth of “Later”
One of the biggest lies people tell themselves is, “I’ll focus on legacy once I’ve achieved more.” They imagine some distant future where they finally have the time, influence, or resources to make a difference.
But you don’t build a legacy someday. You build it now, in the seemingly insignificant decisions that compound over time. In the way you treat the barista. In the time you carve out for your family. In the way you pursue your work with excellence instead of obligation.
Waiting for the right time to create your legacy is like waiting to start living until you’ve already lived.
Consider the stories that inspire you. The teacher who changed lives, the mentor who saw potential in someone who had given up on themselves, the friend who stood by someone in their darkest hour. These moments weren’t grand gestures—they were everyday choices that built something lasting.
Defining Your Legacy—Now
So, let’s cut through the excuses. You don’t need to be a billionaire philanthropist or a historical figure to leave something powerful behind. Your legacy is the ripple effect of your choices, and it starts with clarity.
Ask yourself:
What do I want people to say about me when I’m gone?
What values do I want to be known for?
What am I currently prioritizing—and is it aligned with what truly matters?
Then, take it further:
Where am I wasting time on things that won’t matter in five years, let alone fifty?
Who needs me to show up differently—more present, more bold, more intentional?
What’s one thing I can do today that moves me closer to the legacy I want?
You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Legacies aren’t built in sweeping gestures—they’re shaped in the daily commitment to be the person you hope to be remembered as.
The Power of Small Actions
It’s easy to think of legacy as something tied to extraordinary feats, but some of the most profound legacies come from simple, consistent acts. A parent who always made time to listen. A leader who uplifted their team instead of tearing them down. A friend who showed up, even when it was inconvenient.
Consider the idea that your presence in someone’s life today could be the reason they make a different choice tomorrow. The way you handle stress, the way you treat strangers, the way you encourage others—these are the quiet threads weaving your legacy in real time.
One small decision, repeated daily, becomes a defining characteristic. Whether it’s generosity, resilience, or kindness, your legacy starts with the habits you build now.
The Choice You Make Today
At the end of your life, you won’t care about half the things that stress you out today. You won’t care about the opinions of people who never truly saw you. You won’t care about the minor inconveniences that once felt monumental.
But you will care about whether you lived fully. Whether you loved deeply. Whether you made a difference in the lives that crossed yours.
And if you wait too long to start shaping that story, you may find that the pages have already been written for you.
Ready to Build a Legacy That Matters?
If this stirred something in you—if you’re realizing that you don’t want to drift through life and hope for a meaningful legacy, but instead want to design it with intention—let’s talk.
Creating a life that truly reflects who you are and what you stand for isn’t just about big dreams; it’s about the daily actions, the clarity of purpose, and the willingness to step into something greater. That’s exactly what I help my clients do through 1:1 coaching.
If you’re ready to stop waiting and start living the life you want to be remembered for, let’s work together. I’ll help you break through the patterns keeping you stuck, create a clear vision for what’s next, and take the intentional action needed to make it real.
Your legacy starts today. Let’s make sure it’s one you’re proud of.
Yours in health,
Dana VanBrimmer, NBC-HWC
Founder, Live & Develop
Live. Develop. Rebuild with Purpose.
