Audacious Act #6: Make a Legacy Investment Today
By Stevi Gable Carr
Founder and CEO
WISe Wellness Guild
How will today’s actions shape your legacy?
We often think of legacy as the distant echo of a life already lived—what people will say at our memorial or what name lives on a building. But real legacy isn’t a future event. It’s alive. It’s now. Every decision you make today is a seed planted in the soil of your leadership story.
Audacious leaders understand that legacy is constructed, not inherited. It’s not about waiting until retirement to give back or until wealth accumulates to donate. It’s about investing daily in the actions, habits, and values that reflect who you truly are.
Take, for instance, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia. In a bold and values-aligned move in 2022, he transferred ownership of his company to a specially designed trust, ensuring that all profits—an estimated $100 million a year—go toward fighting climate change and preserving undeveloped land. As Chouinard said, “Earth is now our only shareholder” Time Magazine. His decision wasn’t a sudden act of charity—it was the culmination of decades of purpose-driven leadership.
But legacy isn’t reserved for billionaires or CEOs of global brands. It’s woven into the texture of everyday life: the way you mentor someone coming up behind you, how you show up for your community, the integrity you carry into a difficult conversation. These micro-moments, over time, become the architecture of your impact.
Take Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments. Known for championing financial literacy and racial equity, she’s also the first Black woman to chair the Economic Club of Chicago and the Starbucks board of directors. She’s consistently used her influence to expand access and representation—quietly and consistently redefining what legacy leadership looks like in corporate America Fortune.
You don’t need a national platform to follow suit. You just need to start.
Think small. Think intentionally. Legacy can begin with:
Choosing presence over perfection.
Offering a listening ear when someone needs to be heard.
Making your values visible in how you prioritize your time.
Investing in your own mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
According to a 2023 article from the American Psychological Association, leaders who actively model healthy habits—like taking breaks, setting boundaries, and engaging in meaningful conversations—create psychologically safer workplaces. They reduce burnout and increase organizational resilience. In other words, your self-care is also a legacy investment.
Want to know what really matters to you? Don’t look at your mission statement—look at your calendar.
Every “yes” and “no” on your schedule is a declaration of your values. If someone examined your last two weeks, what would they learn about your priorities? Who are you mentoring? What systems or cultures are you reinforcing? Are you building or defaulting?
A Quick Exercise: Design Your Legacy Blueprint
Write down three qualities or values you’d like to be remembered for.
Review your current calendar and commitments. Where do these values show up?
Identify one gap—not as a flaw, but as fertile ground for investment.
Make one legacy-aligned decision this week.
Maybe it’s declining a meeting that doesn’t need you. Maybe it’s reaching out to a mentee. Maybe it’s sharing a hard truth that creates long-term clarity for your team. It might even be as simple as writing a letter of gratitude to someone who shaped you.
Legacy is Influence Over Time
It’s not about fame. It’s not about fortune. It’s about what lasts—in the people, the systems, the habits, and the energy you leave behind.
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” – Shannon L. Alder
Actionable Step: Make One Small Legacy Investment This Week
Choose something real and reachable:
Send a note of encouragement to someone struggling.
Share your leadership journey with a young professional.
Donate your time to a cause that reflects your core values.
Say “no” to one thing that doesn’t align with your future self.
The scale doesn’t matter. The alignment does.
Schedule a Discovery Call
If you’re ready to dig deeper into what legacy looks like for you, let’s talk.
Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or a life that you want to infuse with greater purpose, clarity starts with conversation. A Discovery Call isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about cutting through the noise and focusing on what matters most. Reach out today to schedule your discovery call today.
