Here’s the true touchstone of whether you are really making an impact or just making noise.
In ancient times, a touchstone was a a black stone used to test the purity of gold and silver by rubbing the metal on the touchstone and checking the color of the streak that was left by the metal.
In other words, it was a comparison that checked whether what you were producing was of real value.
I encourage the people I mentor and coach to develop touchstones to test their goals.
This is a good time to check yourself.
And here is the touchstone …
Will Anyone Notice When You’re Gone?
I’ve been to a lot of funerals and maybe you have too.
The sad truth is that many people are mourned for a week and mostly forgotten.
But some are missed beyond measure.
Go ahead and rub yourself on the touchstone and see what color comes up.
All the best,
Ken McArthur
KenMcArthur.com
jvAlertLive.com
OneDayIntensive.com
TheImpactFactor.com
Thank you, Ken! I’ve been thinking about this same subject recently. People need to ask themselves this. Not to be overly morbid, not suggesting you are going to die tomorrow or next month. Just ask yourself, “What kind of legacy am I going to leave the world?” People do want to create positive change, to help others and leave the world better off than they found it.
Choose your path and take action!
It’s people like you, Ken, that help us do just that!
Thanks so much Steve! It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day reaching, striving and surviving that it’s hard to focus on the bottom-line. If we are valuable to people, we will be missed. If we don’t have real value, we will be gone in this lifetime.
Just went to a funeral of a dear friend the other day. His name was Herschel. He had started our church. His son is our wonderful pastor. Herschel always made sure the bills were paid, the grass was mowed, and the building was in good shape. He rarely missed a service until he got sick. Everybody loved him. His dear wife passed away just six months ago. They made a major impact in our little town-far more than they realized. They weren’t wealthy or famous-but they were known for their integrity and good humor. Herschel enjoyed making people laugh-especially me. I loved his stories. His wife, Nell, was always there when someone needed help or a hug. They are my role models. I honor their memory and will miss them dearly.
So often the people who do the “small things” are the people who are most valued Kristi. Do good stuff!
“The sad truth is that many people are mourned for a week and mostly forgotten.” The sad truth is also that many people dealing with depressive illnesses at this time of year would not see much value in themselves if they read that statement while others who see without clouded vision know that those same individuals have made a real impact for good in the world.
And I’m not sure that I share your perspective as a whole that most are forgotten so soon. Everyone of us has touched lives in ways we don’t even know. Forgotten perhaps in a social media world of tweets and posts or a business world of closing a deal where we have not connected in personal ways? But forgotten by those who have connected with the heart, not likely. My perspective anyway….