🌱 STEP 7h — LIVING LEGACY (GIVING WHILE YOU’RE ALIVE)
How to Experience Impact Now, Teach by Example, and Build a Legacy With a Pulse
🔍 STEP 7h — OVERVIEW
A legacy does not have to wait until death.
In fact, the strongest legacies are built while you are still present to shape them.
Step 7h focuses on Living Legacy — giving, mentoring, leading, and impacting the world in real time, while you can:
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see results
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adjust strategy
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teach others
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correct mistakes
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deepen meaning
This step transforms giving from a future event into a daily practice of leadership and purpose.
⭐ STEP 7h — INTRODUCTION
Many people postpone their greatest impact until “someday.”
Someday when they:
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have more money
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have more time
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retire
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slow down
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reach a certain number
But impact delayed is often impact diluted.
A Living Legacy allows you to:
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create meaning now
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model values consistently
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build relationships around service
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ensure your wealth serves life — not just memory
This step is about intentional impact during your lifetime, not deferred generosity.
🎯 STEP 7h — OUTCOMES
By completing Step 7h, students will:
✅ Understand the power of giving while alive
✅ Design a Living Legacy aligned with personal values
✅ Balance involvement without burnout
✅ Use giving as leadership and example
✅ Integrate time, skill, and money effectively
✅ Build legacy momentum that continues naturally
🧠 SECTION 1 — Living Legacy vs. Deferred Legacy
A deferred legacy happens later.
A living legacy happens now.
Deferred Legacy
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impact unseen
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no feedback
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no correction
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no modeling
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no relationships built
Living Legacy
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visible impact
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real-time learning
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values modeled daily
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relationships formed
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meaning experienced
The strongest legacies include both — but living legacy always comes first.
🧠 SECTION 2 — Why Giving While Alive Multiplies Impact
When you give while alive, you gain:
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feedback
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insight
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accountability
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adaptability
You learn:
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which causes work
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which leaders are trustworthy
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where money truly helps
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when time matters more than dollars
Living legacy prevents:
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wasted giving
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misaligned causes
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blind trust
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permanent mistakes
You can course-correct.
That is power.
🧱 SECTION 3 — Designing Your Living Legacy Framework
A Living Legacy should be:
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intentional
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sustainable
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repeatable
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aligned with life stage
Core Components
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a living mission
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active causes
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defined role
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clear boundaries
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review cadence
Living legacy is not random generosity.
It is designed service.
🧭 SECTION 4 — Your Living Mission Statement
This is your personal anchor.
Format:
“While I am alive, I commit to using my time, money, and influence to __________.”
This statement:
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guides daily decisions
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prevents drift
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reinforces purpose
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simplifies choices
Revisit it annually.
🧠 SECTION 5 — Time, Skill, and Presence (Not Just Money)
Money alone does not create legacy.
Often, the highest leverage comes from:
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mentorship
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teaching
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advising
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connecting people
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opening doors
Examples:
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mentoring one person per year
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serving on a board selectively
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teaching financial literacy
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advising nonprofits strategically
Time is finite.
Deploy it intentionally.
🛡️ SECTION 6 — Boundaries to Prevent Burnout
Living legacy can consume you if unmanaged.
Warning signs:
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emotional exhaustion
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inability to say no
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blurred roles
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savior mentality
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neglect of personal health or family
Protective Rules
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limit active commitments
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rotate causes
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set time caps
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require accountability
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schedule rest
You are a contributor — not the solution.
🧠 SECTION 7 — Living Legacy in Career & Business
Your daily work can be legacy.
Examples:
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ethical leadership
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fair treatment
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mentoring employees
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creating opportunity
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building people, not just profit
Sometimes the greatest good you do is how you lead where you already are.
Legacy is not always separate from work.
👨👩👧👦 SECTION 8 — Living Legacy as a Teaching Tool
People learn most from what they see.
Living legacy allows:
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children to observe generosity
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teams to experience values
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communities to feel consistency
This turns values into culture.
Culture outlasts speeches.
🧪 SECTION 9 — Case Studies
Case Study 1: The Mentor
Limited money, high expertise.
Living legacy:
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mentors one person annually
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provides guidance and accountability
Outcome:
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deep impact
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no burnout
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lasting relationships
Case Study 2: The Community Leader
Business owner with local presence.
Living legacy:
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supports local initiatives
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shows up consistently
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partners with leaders
Outcome:
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trust
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reputation
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measurable improvement
Case Study 3: The Over committer
Said yes to everything.
Outcome:
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burnout
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resentment
Correction:
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reduced commitments
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refocused mission
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restored energy
🧠 SECTION 10 — Living Legacy Review System
Living legacy requires review.
At least once per year:
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assess impact
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reassess capacity
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evaluate alignment
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adjust involvement
Legacy evolves with life.
Rigidity kills longevity.
🧰 SECTION 11 — Exercises & Action Steps
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Write your Living Mission Statement
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Choose 1–3 active causes
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Define your role for each cause
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Set time and energy boundaries
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Schedule an annual Living Legacy review
🧭 STEP 7h — SUMMARY
A living legacy is not about someday.
It is about today.
When you give while alive:
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impact is real
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learning is constant
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values are visible
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meaning is experienced
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legacy gains momentum
You don’t wait to be remembered.
You live in a way worth remembering.