June 29, 2025 • 27 mins
Welcome to another uplifting and thought-provoking episode of the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast! I’m your host, John C. Morley — Serial Entrepreneur, Podcast Coach, and passionate lifelong learner. Today, we’re diving deep into the profound idea of legacy — not just what we leave behind, but what we build alongside others, especially our mentors. In a world that often celebrates individual achievement, we’re here to shine a light on how true legacy is a shared, intentional journey. Together, we’ll explore 14 powerful insights that can help you shape a legacy rooted in collaboration, service, and impact. So grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and let’s take this transformational journey together. 🌟
1️⃣ Legacy is built through shared journeys with mentors. A legacy isn’t crafted in isolation; it’s forged in the moments we share with those who guide and shape us. Mentors walk beside us, offering not only wisdom but companionship through our growth. These shared journeys create bonds that leave a lasting imprint, not just on us, but on the world we help shape together. The footsteps we leave behind are often intertwined with those who once walked beside us.
2️⃣ True legacy comes from collaboration, not isolation. Great legacies are never solo acts. When we choose collaboration over isolation, we create ripples far greater than what we could achieve alone. Collaboration invites fresh perspectives, fosters innovation, and strengthens our impact. A legacy built together becomes stronger, more resilient, and truly unforgettable.
3️⃣ Mentors provide the blueprints; we build the structure. Mentors hand us the plans — the hard-earned insights and strategies from their own experiences. But it’s up to us to pick up the tools and build. We personalize those blueprints, adding our unique style, values, and vision. In doing so, we honor our mentors while crafting something entirely our own.
4️⃣ Legacy is co-created, not just left behind. Legacy isn’t an afterthought or something people reflect on only when we’re gone. It’s an ongoing, co-created masterpiece that takes shape through every interaction, every lesson shared, and every life touched. When we engage with others intentionally, our legacy begins to form in real-time.
5️⃣ Legacy means lifting others as we rise. As we climb, true legacy calls us to extend a hand to those following behind. Every success becomes more meaningful when it helps lift someone else. Our legacy grows not from the heights we reach, but from how many we’ve helped rise along the way.
6️⃣ No shortcuts — legacy grows step-by-step with guidance. There are no shortcuts to a meaningful legacy. It’s built one step at a time, often with the steady support of those who guide us. Each deliberate action, each thoughtful decision, contributes to a foundation that endures long after we’re gone.
7️⃣ A mentor’s lessons outlive their presence. The wisdom of a mentor doesn’t fade when they’re no longer by our side. Their lessons echo in the choices we make, the values we uphold, and the people we mentor in turn. Their influence lives on in the legacy we continue to build.
8️⃣ Walking with mentors turns knowledge into wisdom. It’s one thing to know; it’s another to understand. Walking alongside a mentor helps us turn raw knowledge into deep wisdom. Their lived experiences, combined with our own, help shape insights that serve not just ourselves, but generations to come.
9️⃣ Legacy is the ripple effect of what mentors teach us. Each lesson a mentor imparts creates ripples that extend far beyond the original moment. When we apply those teachings, and then share them with others, the impact multiplies. Legacy, in this way, is not a single act — it’s a chain reaction of growth and giving.
🔟 The greatest legacies are built in the service of others. True legacy is never about self-glorification. It’s about how we use what we’ve gained to serve others
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:19):
Well, hey, everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It's great to be with you on Sunday.
This is June 29th.
By the way, this is the last Sunday
in the month of June, 2025.
So welcome everyone to the show.
You know, we have a great master topic
for the week and that is walking forward
(00:41):
with purpose.
And the granular for today or tonight is
true legacy is earned by walking alongside and
learning from Mentor Series 4, Show 27.
And we are on episode number two.
So welcome, everyone.
(01:02):
It is so great to be with everybody
here on the show.
And before we get started, I do invite
you to stop by and check out BelieveMeAchieve
.com after the show, that is for more
of my short form and long form content,
which you can do, by the way, 24
hours a day.
So you definitely can do that.
Hey, I do want to welcome you.
(01:23):
If you are here for the very first
time, a very big welcome to you.
If you're coming back, well, welcome back, my
friends, colleagues and associates.
Thanks so much.
So it's great to have people that enjoy
the content.
Welcome to another uplifting and thought provoking episode
of the popular Inspirations for Your Life podcast.
I am your host, podcast coach, serial entrepreneur,
(01:43):
video producer, engineer and many more things.
John C.
Morley.
It's great to be with you here.
And I'm also a passionate lifelong learner that
loves to help other people learn.
Tonight, I'm diving deep, guys, into the profound
idea of legacy, not just what we leave
behind, but what we build alongside others, especially
(02:04):
our mentors in a world that often celebrates
individual achievement.
Well, we're here to shine a light on
how true legacy is shared.
Intentional journeys, that is.
Together, I'm going to explore 14, that's right,
14 powerful insights that can help you shape
a legacy rooted in collaboration, service and impact.
(02:27):
So grab your favorite beverage like I have
here or your favorite snack, whether it's something
sweet or not, healthy or not, that's up
to you.
Get comfortable and let's take this transformational journey
together.
All right.
I have my RO water here.
Absolutely delicious.
All right.
Number one, guys, that is legacy is built
(02:49):
through shared journeys with mentors.
A legacy is crafted in I should say
a very unique way, but it isn't crafted
with isolation.
That's important to understand.
It's forged in the moments we share with
those who guide and shape us.
(03:10):
Mentors walk beside us, offering not only wisdom,
but companionship through our growth.
And these, I should say, shared journeys create
bonds that leave a lasting imprint, not just
on us, but well, on the world that
we help shape together.
And these footsteps we leave will help those
(03:34):
behind often intertwine with those who once walked
beside us.
And I think that's an important thing to
understand, guys.
So again, when we think about legacy, we
think about what it means, what transferring information
means and things like that, but sometimes it
can get a little confusing.
Number two, true legacy comes from collaboration, not
(04:00):
isolation.
Great legacies are never solo acts.
When we choose collaboration over isolation, well, we
create, let's say, ripples or greater than what
we could achieve alone.
Collaboration invites fresh perspectives, fosters innovation, and strengthens
(04:23):
our impact together.
A legacy built together becomes stronger, more resilient,
and truly, truly unforgettable.
So I think it's important that we understand
what all that means and maybe that you
understand what it means.
Maybe now this can be something that you
appreciate more, okay?
(04:44):
So number three is mentors provide the blueprints
we build the structure.
And so mentors hand us the plans, the
hard-earned insights and strategies from their own
experiences, but it's up to us to pick
up the tools and craft or build something.
We personalize these blueprints, adding our own unique
(05:04):
style, values, and vision.
And in doing so, we honor our mentors
while crafting something entirely our own and very,
let's say, rewarding.
Number four, legacy, guys, is co-created, not
just left behind.
Legacy isn't an afterthought, only when we're gone.
(05:29):
It's an ongoing, co-created masterpiece that takes
shape through every interaction, every lesson shared, and
every life touched.
When we engage with others intentionally, our legacy
begins to form in real time.
And I think that's important for a lot
of people to understand is that it's people
that make the magic.
(05:50):
It is people that make the magic, all
right?
That's really, really important.
So legacy, as I said, means a lot,
okay?
Legacy means lifting others as we rise.
As we climb, true legacy calls us to
(06:12):
extend a hand to those following behind.
Every success becomes more meaningful when it helps
lift someone else.
Our legacy grows not from the heights we
reach, but from how many we've helped rise
along the way.
I know a lot of leaders that don't
want to help others because they're, well, let's
(06:34):
just say they're a little bit selfish.
And I think that's a big problem for
some people.
They don't realize what it's about or why
that happens, but it's important to understand that.
We want to help others and make this
world a much, much better, better place.
And I know sometimes you're like, John, I
don't know if I want to do that,
(06:54):
but it's important, okay?
Really, really, really important.
And number six, no shortcuts.
Legacy grows step by step with guidance.
There are no shortcuts to a meaningful legacy.
It's built one step at a time, often
with the steady support of those who guide
us.
Each deliberate action, each thoughtful decision contributes to
(07:15):
a foundation that endures, okay?
That endures.
I think that's a very, very important thing
is to have no shortcuts, okay?
To endure the challenges, right?
(07:37):
And so that's important to understand.
And it builds that true foundation that allows
us to continue on.
Number seven, a mentor's lessons outlive their presence.
The wisdom of a mentor doesn't fade when
they're not here anymore.
Their lessons echo in the choices we make,
(07:59):
the values we uphold, and the people we
mentor in turn.
Their influence, well, the people around them, the
lives that they interact with on the way
they could continue to build as well.
Number eight, walking with mentors turns knowledge into
wisdom.
It's one thing to know.
(08:21):
It's another to understand.
Walking alongside a mentor helps us turn the
raw knowledge into deep wisdom.
Their lived experiences combined with our own help
shape insights that serve not just, well, ourselves,
but generations to come.
Number nine, legacy is the ripple effect of
(08:43):
what mentors teach us.
Each lesson that's shared from a mentor imparts
a very neat creative ripple that extends far
beyond the original moment.
When we apply those teachings and lessons and
then share them with others, the impact multiplies.
Legacy in this way is not a single
(09:04):
act.
It's a chain reaction of growth and giving.
Number 10, the greatest legacies are built in
the service of others.
True legacy is never about self-glorification.
It's about how we use what we've gained
to serve others.
So the more we give, the stronger and
(09:26):
more enduring our legacy becomes.
Service transforms individual success into, well, a shared
triumph.
Number 11, mentorship transforms potential into lasting impact.
Potential alone is not enough, folks.
It needs nurturing.
Mentorship is the bridge that helps raw talent
(09:47):
cross into real world impact.
A legacy built on mentorship ensures that what
we've learned doesn't stop with us.
It powers up the next wave of, well,
change makers.
Number 12, legacy thrives on humility and learning.
Humility keeps our legacy pure.
(10:09):
When we stay open to learning, even as
we teach, we ensure that our legacy evolves,
adapts, and stays relevant.
The greatest legacies are living legacies, constantly growing
through continuous learning.
And I think that's an important thing to
understand.
Number 13, walking with mentors teaches resilience.
(10:30):
Mentors don't just help us succeed, they help
us endure.
Their guidance shows us how to navigate setbacks,
how to rise after falls, and how to
see challenges as stepping stones.
Resilience becomes a key part of the legacy
we leave behind.
Number 14, true legacy inspires the next generation
to do the same.
(10:52):
A meaningful legacy doesn't end with us.
It ignites something in those who follow.
It plants seeds of mentorship, service, and growth,
inspiring the next and generations after to continue
the cycle.
Our greatest gift is showing others how to
build legacy of their own.
And I think that's a very powerful thing.
(11:14):
When we learn, when we share, we actually
learn, well, we learn more.
I don't know if you knew that, but
we learn more.
Here's the part of the show I really
like.
I'm going to go ahead and give you
a personal, let's say, lesson or story about
each point today.
(11:34):
And it's my hope that by doing this,
you're going to solidify what I've shared and
choose to not only understand it more, but
be able to apply it in your own
lives.
I think that's really what I enjoy is
that when I can give you something and
(11:56):
you can understand it, but then when you
can figure out how to apply it in
your own life, that I just feel is
priceless, guys.
That's absolutely priceless.
And for those of you that don't want
to apply it in your own lives, well,
just hearing me isn't going to do anything
for you.
It isn't going to impact your life or
anybody else's because you're not going to choose
(12:17):
to execute it.
Execution is where we learn.
We learn when we do something that helps
or definitely helps others.
And when we share the knowledge with others,
that's when we truly make this, well, our
own thing and it becomes our own way.
(12:39):
I think that's a challenge for a lot
of people.
They don't realize what that is.
So let's kick this off with our lessons.
Are you ready, guys?
All right.
Well, our first lesson for tonight is legacy
is built through shared journeys with mentors.
I remember early in my career when I
had the opportunity to work alongside a seasoned
(12:59):
entrepreneur who became my mentor.
We didn't just have occasional coffee chats.
We traveled together to conferences, worked late nights
on a complex project, and navigated challenges side
by side.
Those shared moments taught me lessons that no
book or course could ever offer.
The journey itself, the highs, the lows, everything
(13:20):
in between, bonded us and shaped the foundation
of, well, my own leadership style.
Looking back, it wasn't just what he taught
me.
It was how we experienced growth together.
That's what made it strict and stick, I
should say.
Every decision I made and that I make
(13:41):
today reflects pieces of those shared moments.
And I now strive to walk beside others
the same way he walked beside me.
Legacy, I've learned, is built in those shared
footprints.
True legacy comes from collaboration, not isolation.
I used to believe that the best way
to make my mark was to work tirelessly
(14:03):
on my own to prove I could do
it myself.
But I learned a powerful lesson during a
major tech startup project where we hit a
wall.
It was only when we brought in new
voices from developers to other teams to get
this out in a way that was never
thought of before.
That collaboration didn't just solve our immediate problem.
It created lasting connections and sparked ideas that
(14:25):
none of us would have ever reached alone.
Legacy, I realize, doesn't come from standing on
a pedestal.
It comes from standing shoulder to shoulder with
others.
When we collaborate, we create legacies that are
bigger, stronger, and built to last forever.
Number three, mentors provide the blueprints we build
(14:48):
with the structure.
One of my early mentors shared a system
for setting and achieving goals that had worked
for him for decades.
I followed exactly at first, but over time
I adapted it, adding my own practices, changing
some things, discarding what didn't work exactly with
my style, and evolving the process as I
grew.
The beauty of mentorship is that we get
(15:08):
the blueprints, but it's up to us to
choose the materials, the design, what we're going
to include, not include, what materials, or how
we're even going to implement it.
When I coach others today, I always encourage
them to personalize the blueprints I share because
legacy isn't about duplication.
It's about creation.
Our mentors give us a head start, but
(15:29):
we're the architects of what we ultimately leave
behind.
Number four, guys.
Legacy is co-created, not just left behind.
For years, I thought legacy was something people
talked about after you were gone, but during
a charity tech initiative I helped lead, I
saw how wrong that view was.
(15:49):
As we worked together, mentors, mentees, partners, and
others, we weren't waiting to create a legacy.
We were doing it in real time with
every solution, every act of kindness, every life
that we touched.
It was truly meaningful and very rewarding.
That experience taught me that legacy is a
line.
(16:10):
It's not a final product.
It's an ongoing masterpiece that we shape together
day by day.
The impact we have now is our legacy
in the making.
Number five, legacy means lifting others as we
rise.
I think some people, when you ask them
what it means, they won't ever share that
because to them, it's about an ego.
(16:32):
For those that have an ego, well, they're
the people that are not going to be
good mentors for you.
That's just the truth.
When I reached one of my biggest career
milestones, I celebrated, but not because of the
title or the recognition.
I celebrated because I had the chance.
(16:52):
I had the chance to bring others with
me.
I offered opportunities to people who reminded me
of, well, my younger self, I should say.
Eager, but I should say unsure where to
start.
Watching them grow, seeing their confidence bloom, that
became more rewarding than any personal achievement I
(17:15):
ever had.
True legacy, I learned, is about how many
people we can help rise as we climb
together.
See, that's what gives success its real meaning
when we can all do it together as
a team.
Remember, there's no I and you in team.
Number six, there are no shortcuts.
(17:35):
Legacy grows step by step with guidance.
I didn't say it was a quick, surefire
way or that it was easy or fast.
I said it's a process.
You do step by step by step.
And that's how it works.
I remember a time I was tempted by
what seemed like a shortcut, a way to
(17:58):
fast track success without doing the hard, deliberate
work.
But thanks to a mentor's honest feedback, I
chose the slower, steadier path.
It wasn't always easy.
There were setbacks, revisions, and moments of doubt.
But every step added strength to the foundation
I was building.
And that was really important to me.
Looking back, I see that those steps guided
(18:20):
me and other people who carried out the
growth.
And they're what gave my legacy substance.
There really are no shortcuts, folks, to something
that lasts.
So don't be in a rush.
Enjoy the process.
Number seven, a mentor's lessons outlive their presence.
(18:41):
One of my dearest mentors passed away several
years ago.
Yet I feel his presence every day in
the choices I make.
His voice echoes in my mind when I'm
faced with tough decisions.
Who is that one person?
You probably remember him if I give you
his name.
He's an amazing person.
(19:02):
But he did pass away.
And he was quite amazing.
His name was Dr. Wayne Dyer.
And he was an American self-help author
and a motivational speaker.
And I never really got the true benefit
of everything he was saying until he actually
(19:24):
passed.
Because then it meant something to me.
I don't know why.
But I started appreciating his work even more
now.
The values he modeled, the integrity, the compassion,
perseverance.
And they become part of who I am
today.
What I've come to understand is that a
mentor's impact doesn't end when they're no longer
beside us.
(19:45):
Their lessons live on in us.
And in those, we go on to mentor
in turn.
That's a powerful kind of immortality, if you'd
like to say that.
Number eight, walking with mentors turns knowledge into
wisdom.
There was a phase in my career where
I consumed endless books, articles, and podcasts gathering
knowledge.
But it wasn't until I walked alongside a
(20:06):
mentor applying that knowledge in the real world
that it truly transformed into wisdom.
Together, we navigated real challenges.
And I learned how theory meets reality.
See, mentors help bridge the gap between knowing
and understanding.
And that bridge is where real growth and
(20:27):
real legacy happen.
Number nine, legacy is the ripple effect of
what mentors teach us.
I once had a mentor who taught me
a simple but powerful leadership habit.
I began practicing it daily and then shared
it with my team.
Soon, they're passing it along to others.
Before long, that one small lesson had shaped
(20:48):
the culture of our entire organization.
You see, when you take something and you
try to make it your own, it doesn't
become your own until you share it because
then you learn it more again.
That's when you own it.
That's the ripple effect.
So when you encourage somebody to share an
idea that you've taught them, that's only when
they can make it their own.
(21:11):
This ripple effect is very powerful.
And I hope that you'll choose to give
it a try.
Number 10, the greatest legacies are built in
the service of others.
The most fulfilling moments of my journey have
always been tied to service, whether it's volunteering,
mentoring, or helping someone in need.
(21:32):
I've seen how giving transforms both the giver
and the receiver.
Success means little unless it uplifts others.
That's important.
When we focus on service, our legacy becomes
about something greater than ourselves.
That's the kind of legacy that endures.
(21:55):
11, mentorship transforms potential into lasting impact.
I once worked with a young entrepreneur brimming
with ideas, but struggling to channel that energy
effectively.
Through mentorship, I saw him refine his vision,
focus his efforts, and bring his ideas to
life.
Today, he's a leader in making a real
(22:15):
difference.
Mentorship takes raw potential and helps mold it,
shape it into something that will last and
impact others, something that could change the lives
and communities of so many people.
See, that's the magic of legacy and action.
12, legacy thrives on humility and learning.
(22:37):
There have been times when I thought I
had all the answers, only be humbled by
a challenge or a wise mentor's perspective.
Staying open to learning has always allowed my
legacy to grow in ways I never could
have ever imagined.
Humility keeps us teachable, and when we keep
learning, we ensure our legacy stays relevant, meaningful,
(23:00):
and alive.
13, walking with mentors teaches resilience.
During one of my toughest chapters of my
life, I learned heavily on a mentor who
helped me see setbacks not as failures, but
as fuel for growth.
His guidance gave me the strength to rise,
(23:22):
to keep going, and to turn challenges into
stepping stones.
See, that resilience became a key part of
the legacy I now strive to pass on,
helping others see that the hard times shape
us just as much as, if not more
than, the victories.
Number 14, true legacy inspires the next generation
(23:44):
to do the same.
I've been fortunate to see people I've mentored
go on to become mentors themselves.
Watching them light the path for others fills
me with pride.
It shows that legacy is not just about
what we achieve, but about what we inspire
others to achieve, and I think when you
have this philosophy, and also the philosophy that
(24:08):
people can be mentors and be older than
you people, mentors can be younger than you,
but everyone's here to help each other learn,
and when we do that, we wind up
learning ourselves.
You see, when you learn something, you don't
really make it your own yet.
When you have to learn that again to
(24:28):
teach another group or someone, you learn it
for that again, and then when you teach,
you learn a third time, and then that's
when it truly becomes ownership.
Now, when those people learn what's going on,
they don't make it ownership until when?
Until they have chosen to pass it on
(24:49):
and teach someone else.
That's only when they can actually truly claim
ownership and really start implementing that idea, that
concept, that tool you shared with them, that
technique.
It happens because of the choice to make
(25:13):
it part of their lives.
Now, I know many of you watching this
are going to be like, well, I'm not
going to help anybody because, you know, I'm
too busy.
I get it, right?
What has anybody ever done for me?
I get that.
I understand that.
Believe me, but I want to tell you
that there are a lot of good people
out there that will embrace your support, and
(25:36):
by embracing your support, they'll also be there
and may be able to help you as
well, and I think these are things that
a lot of people just don't understand, and
the reason they don't understand them is because
they get stuck in this way of thinking,
this egotistical way of thinking that really doesn't
serve anybody, right?
(25:57):
When we think about what it means to
teach, teaching doesn't mean having an
ego and saying I'm better, but if we
look at what it was like to go
(26:17):
to Merriam-Webster, and we look up the
word teaching, the definition is, according to Merriam
-Webster, it's a noun, the art, practice, or
profession of a teacher, right?
Something taught, teaching, but what does it mean
to teach?
(26:39):
Well, to teach is a verb, to cause
to know, to cause to know how, to
accustom to some action or attitude, to cause
to know the disagreeable consequence of some action,
to guide the studies of, to impart the
knowledge of, to instruct by precept, example, experience,
to make known and accepted, to conduct instruction
(26:59):
regularly.
See, that's what teaching means, and when we
do it from our heart because we want
to help others, we'll sometimes get a benefit
because we'll learn more about what we're teaching,
and we might even become the students sometimes.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, at least
serial entrepreneur.
(27:19):
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations, and remember, guys, just
like you're open to learn, be open to
teach because you wanted to learn, and others
definitely want to as well.
Have a great one, everyone.
Be well.
Well, hey, everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It's great to be with you on Sunday.
This is June 29th.
By the way, this is the last Sunday
in the month of June, 2025.
So welcome everyone to the show.
You know, we have a great master topic
for the week and that is walking forward
(00:41):
with purpose.
And the granular for today or tonight is
true legacy is earned by walking alongside and
learning from Mentor Series 4, Show 27.
And we are on episode number two.
So welcome, everyone.
(01:02):
It is so great to be with everybody
here on the show.
And before we get started, I do invite
you to stop by and check out BelieveMeAchieve
.com after the show, that is for more
of my short form and long form content,
which you can do, by the way, 24
hours a day.
So you definitely can do that.
Hey, I do want to welcome you.
(01:23):
If you are here for the very first
time, a very big welcome to you.
If you're coming back, well, welcome back, my
friends, colleagues and associates.
Thanks so much.
So it's great to have people that enjoy
the content.
Welcome to another uplifting and thought provoking episode
of the popular Inspirations for Your Life podcast.
I am your host, podcast coach, serial entrepreneur,
(01:43):
video producer, engineer and many more things.
John C.
Morley.
It's great to be with you here.
And I'm also a passionate lifelong learner that
loves to help other people learn.
Tonight, I'm diving deep, guys, into the profound
idea of legacy, not just what we leave
behind, but what we build alongside others, especially
(02:04):
our mentors in a world that often celebrates
individual achievement.
Well, we're here to shine a light on
how true legacy is shared.
Intentional journeys, that is.
Together, I'm going to explore 14, that's right,
14 powerful insights that can help you shape
a legacy rooted in collaboration, service and impact.
(02:27):
So grab your favorite beverage like I have
here or your favorite snack, whether it's something
sweet or not, healthy or not, that's up
to you.
Get comfortable and let's take this transformational journey
together.
All right.
I have my RO water here.
Absolutely delicious.
All right.
Number one, guys, that is legacy is built
(02:49):
through shared journeys with mentors.
A legacy is crafted in I should say
a very unique way, but it isn't crafted
with isolation.
That's important to understand.
It's forged in the moments we share with
those who guide and shape us.
(03:10):
Mentors walk beside us, offering not only wisdom,
but companionship through our growth.
And these, I should say, shared journeys create
bonds that leave a lasting imprint, not just
on us, but well, on the world that
we help shape together.
And these footsteps we leave will help those
(03:34):
behind often intertwine with those who once walked
beside us.
And I think that's an important thing to
understand, guys.
So again, when we think about legacy, we
think about what it means, what transferring information
means and things like that, but sometimes it
can get a little confusing.
Number two, true legacy comes from collaboration, not
(04:00):
isolation.
Great legacies are never solo acts.
When we choose collaboration over isolation, well, we
create, let's say, ripples or greater than what
we could achieve alone.
Collaboration invites fresh perspectives, fosters innovation, and strengthens
(04:23):
our impact together.
A legacy built together becomes stronger, more resilient,
and truly, truly unforgettable.
So I think it's important that we understand
what all that means and maybe that you
understand what it means.
Maybe now this can be something that you
appreciate more, okay?
(04:44):
So number three is mentors provide the blueprints
we build the structure.
And so mentors hand us the plans, the
hard-earned insights and strategies from their own
experiences, but it's up to us to pick
up the tools and craft or build something.
We personalize these blueprints, adding our own unique
(05:04):
style, values, and vision.
And in doing so, we honor our mentors
while crafting something entirely our own and very,
let's say, rewarding.
Number four, legacy, guys, is co-created, not
just left behind.
Legacy isn't an afterthought, only when we're gone.
(05:29):
It's an ongoing, co-created masterpiece that takes
shape through every interaction, every lesson shared, and
every life touched.
When we engage with others intentionally, our legacy
begins to form in real time.
And I think that's important for a lot
of people to understand is that it's people
that make the magic.
(05:50):
It is people that make the magic, all
right?
That's really, really important.
So legacy, as I said, means a lot,
okay?
Legacy means lifting others as we rise.
As we climb, true legacy calls us to
(06:12):
extend a hand to those following behind.
Every success becomes more meaningful when it helps
lift someone else.
Our legacy grows not from the heights we
reach, but from how many we've helped rise
along the way.
I know a lot of leaders that don't
want to help others because they're, well, let's
(06:34):
just say they're a little bit selfish.
And I think that's a big problem for
some people.
They don't realize what it's about or why
that happens, but it's important to understand that.
We want to help others and make this
world a much, much better, better place.
And I know sometimes you're like, John, I
don't know if I want to do that,
(06:54):
but it's important, okay?
Really, really, really important.
And number six, no shortcuts.
Legacy grows step by step with guidance.
There are no shortcuts to a meaningful legacy.
It's built one step at a time, often
with the steady support of those who guide
us.
Each deliberate action, each thoughtful decision contributes to
(07:15):
a foundation that endures, okay?
That endures.
I think that's a very, very important thing
is to have no shortcuts, okay?
To endure the challenges, right?
(07:37):
And so that's important to understand.
And it builds that true foundation that allows
us to continue on.
Number seven, a mentor's lessons outlive their presence.
The wisdom of a mentor doesn't fade when
they're not here anymore.
Their lessons echo in the choices we make,
(07:59):
the values we uphold, and the people we
mentor in turn.
Their influence, well, the people around them, the
lives that they interact with on the way
they could continue to build as well.
Number eight, walking with mentors turns knowledge into
wisdom.
It's one thing to know.
(08:21):
It's another to understand.
Walking alongside a mentor helps us turn the
raw knowledge into deep wisdom.
Their lived experiences combined with our own help
shape insights that serve not just, well, ourselves,
but generations to come.
Number nine, legacy is the ripple effect of
(08:43):
what mentors teach us.
Each lesson that's shared from a mentor imparts
a very neat creative ripple that extends far
beyond the original moment.
When we apply those teachings and lessons and
then share them with others, the impact multiplies.
Legacy in this way is not a single
(09:04):
act.
It's a chain reaction of growth and giving.
Number 10, the greatest legacies are built in
the service of others.
True legacy is never about self-glorification.
It's about how we use what we've gained
to serve others.
So the more we give, the stronger and
(09:26):
more enduring our legacy becomes.
Service transforms individual success into, well, a shared
triumph.
Number 11, mentorship transforms potential into lasting impact.
Potential alone is not enough, folks.
It needs nurturing.
Mentorship is the bridge that helps raw talent
(09:47):
cross into real world impact.
A legacy built on mentorship ensures that what
we've learned doesn't stop with us.
It powers up the next wave of, well,
change makers.
Number 12, legacy thrives on humility and learning.
Humility keeps our legacy pure.
(10:09):
When we stay open to learning, even as
we teach, we ensure that our legacy evolves,
adapts, and stays relevant.
The greatest legacies are living legacies, constantly growing
through continuous learning.
And I think that's an important thing to
understand.
Number 13, walking with mentors teaches resilience.
(10:30):
Mentors don't just help us succeed, they help
us endure.
Their guidance shows us how to navigate setbacks,
how to rise after falls, and how to
see challenges as stepping stones.
Resilience becomes a key part of the legacy
we leave behind.
Number 14, true legacy inspires the next generation
to do the same.
(10:52):
A meaningful legacy doesn't end with us.
It ignites something in those who follow.
It plants seeds of mentorship, service, and growth,
inspiring the next and generations after to continue
the cycle.
Our greatest gift is showing others how to
build legacy of their own.
And I think that's a very powerful thing.
(11:14):
When we learn, when we share, we actually
learn, well, we learn more.
I don't know if you knew that, but
we learn more.
Here's the part of the show I really
like.
I'm going to go ahead and give you
a personal, let's say, lesson or story about
each point today.
(11:34):
And it's my hope that by doing this,
you're going to solidify what I've shared and
choose to not only understand it more, but
be able to apply it in your own
lives.
I think that's really what I enjoy is
that when I can give you something and
(11:56):
you can understand it, but then when you
can figure out how to apply it in
your own life, that I just feel is
priceless, guys.
That's absolutely priceless.
And for those of you that don't want
to apply it in your own lives, well,
just hearing me isn't going to do anything
for you.
It isn't going to impact your life or
anybody else's because you're not going to choose
(12:17):
to execute it.
Execution is where we learn.
We learn when we do something that helps
or definitely helps others.
And when we share the knowledge with others,
that's when we truly make this, well, our
own thing and it becomes our own way.
(12:39):
I think that's a challenge for a lot
of people.
They don't realize what that is.
So let's kick this off with our lessons.
Are you ready, guys?
All right.
Well, our first lesson for tonight is legacy
is built through shared journeys with mentors.
I remember early in my career when I
had the opportunity to work alongside a seasoned
(12:59):
entrepreneur who became my mentor.
We didn't just have occasional coffee chats.
We traveled together to conferences, worked late nights
on a complex project, and navigated challenges side
by side.
Those shared moments taught me lessons that no
book or course could ever offer.
The journey itself, the highs, the lows, everything
(13:20):
in between, bonded us and shaped the foundation
of, well, my own leadership style.
Looking back, it wasn't just what he taught
me.
It was how we experienced growth together.
That's what made it strict and stick, I
should say.
Every decision I made and that I make
(13:41):
today reflects pieces of those shared moments.
And I now strive to walk beside others
the same way he walked beside me.
Legacy, I've learned, is built in those shared
footprints.
True legacy comes from collaboration, not isolation.
I used to believe that the best way
to make my mark was to work tirelessly
(14:03):
on my own to prove I could do
it myself.
But I learned a powerful lesson during a
major tech startup project where we hit a
wall.
It was only when we brought in new
voices from developers to other teams to get
this out in a way that was never
thought of before.
That collaboration didn't just solve our immediate problem.
It created lasting connections and sparked ideas that
(14:25):
none of us would have ever reached alone.
Legacy, I realize, doesn't come from standing on
a pedestal.
It comes from standing shoulder to shoulder with
others.
When we collaborate, we create legacies that are
bigger, stronger, and built to last forever.
Number three, mentors provide the blueprints we build
(14:48):
with the structure.
One of my early mentors shared a system
for setting and achieving goals that had worked
for him for decades.
I followed exactly at first, but over time
I adapted it, adding my own practices, changing
some things, discarding what didn't work exactly with
my style, and evolving the process as I
grew.
The beauty of mentorship is that we get
(15:08):
the blueprints, but it's up to us to
choose the materials, the design, what we're going
to include, not include, what materials, or how
we're even going to implement it.
When I coach others today, I always encourage
them to personalize the blueprints I share because
legacy isn't about duplication.
It's about creation.
Our mentors give us a head start, but
(15:29):
we're the architects of what we ultimately leave
behind.
Number four, guys.
Legacy is co-created, not just left behind.
For years, I thought legacy was something people
talked about after you were gone, but during
a charity tech initiative I helped lead, I
saw how wrong that view was.
(15:49):
As we worked together, mentors, mentees, partners, and
others, we weren't waiting to create a legacy.
We were doing it in real time with
every solution, every act of kindness, every life
that we touched.
It was truly meaningful and very rewarding.
That experience taught me that legacy is a
line.
(16:10):
It's not a final product.
It's an ongoing masterpiece that we shape together
day by day.
The impact we have now is our legacy
in the making.
Number five, legacy means lifting others as we
rise.
I think some people, when you ask them
what it means, they won't ever share that
because to them, it's about an ego.
(16:32):
For those that have an ego, well, they're
the people that are not going to be
good mentors for you.
That's just the truth.
When I reached one of my biggest career
milestones, I celebrated, but not because of the
title or the recognition.
I celebrated because I had the chance.
(16:52):
I had the chance to bring others with
me.
I offered opportunities to people who reminded me
of, well, my younger self, I should say.
Eager, but I should say unsure where to
start.
Watching them grow, seeing their confidence bloom, that
became more rewarding than any personal achievement I
(17:15):
ever had.
True legacy, I learned, is about how many
people we can help rise as we climb
together.
See, that's what gives success its real meaning
when we can all do it together as
a team.
Remember, there's no I and you in team.
Number six, there are no shortcuts.
(17:35):
Legacy grows step by step with guidance.
I didn't say it was a quick, surefire
way or that it was easy or fast.
I said it's a process.
You do step by step by step.
And that's how it works.
I remember a time I was tempted by
what seemed like a shortcut, a way to
(17:58):
fast track success without doing the hard, deliberate
work.
But thanks to a mentor's honest feedback, I
chose the slower, steadier path.
It wasn't always easy.
There were setbacks, revisions, and moments of doubt.
But every step added strength to the foundation
I was building.
And that was really important to me.
Looking back, I see that those steps guided
(18:20):
me and other people who carried out the
growth.
And they're what gave my legacy substance.
There really are no shortcuts, folks, to something
that lasts.
So don't be in a rush.
Enjoy the process.
Number seven, a mentor's lessons outlive their presence.
(18:41):
One of my dearest mentors passed away several
years ago.
Yet I feel his presence every day in
the choices I make.
His voice echoes in my mind when I'm
faced with tough decisions.
Who is that one person?
You probably remember him if I give you
his name.
He's an amazing person.
(19:02):
But he did pass away.
And he was quite amazing.
His name was Dr. Wayne Dyer.
And he was an American self-help author
and a motivational speaker.
And I never really got the true benefit
of everything he was saying until he actually
(19:24):
passed.
Because then it meant something to me.
I don't know why.
But I started appreciating his work even more
now.
The values he modeled, the integrity, the compassion,
perseverance.
And they become part of who I am
today.
What I've come to understand is that a
mentor's impact doesn't end when they're no longer
beside us.
(19:45):
Their lessons live on in us.
And in those, we go on to mentor
in turn.
That's a powerful kind of immortality, if you'd
like to say that.
Number eight, walking with mentors turns knowledge into
wisdom.
There was a phase in my career where
I consumed endless books, articles, and podcasts gathering
knowledge.
But it wasn't until I walked alongside a
(20:06):
mentor applying that knowledge in the real world
that it truly transformed into wisdom.
Together, we navigated real challenges.
And I learned how theory meets reality.
See, mentors help bridge the gap between knowing
and understanding.
And that bridge is where real growth and
(20:27):
real legacy happen.
Number nine, legacy is the ripple effect of
what mentors teach us.
I once had a mentor who taught me
a simple but powerful leadership habit.
I began practicing it daily and then shared
it with my team.
Soon, they're passing it along to others.
Before long, that one small lesson had shaped
(20:48):
the culture of our entire organization.
You see, when you take something and you
try to make it your own, it doesn't
become your own until you share it because
then you learn it more again.
That's when you own it.
That's the ripple effect.
So when you encourage somebody to share an
idea that you've taught them, that's only when
they can make it their own.
(21:11):
This ripple effect is very powerful.
And I hope that you'll choose to give
it a try.
Number 10, the greatest legacies are built in
the service of others.
The most fulfilling moments of my journey have
always been tied to service, whether it's volunteering,
mentoring, or helping someone in need.
(21:32):
I've seen how giving transforms both the giver
and the receiver.
Success means little unless it uplifts others.
That's important.
When we focus on service, our legacy becomes
about something greater than ourselves.
That's the kind of legacy that endures.
(21:55):
11, mentorship transforms potential into lasting impact.
I once worked with a young entrepreneur brimming
with ideas, but struggling to channel that energy
effectively.
Through mentorship, I saw him refine his vision,
focus his efforts, and bring his ideas to
life.
Today, he's a leader in making a real
(22:15):
difference.
Mentorship takes raw potential and helps mold it,
shape it into something that will last and
impact others, something that could change the lives
and communities of so many people.
See, that's the magic of legacy and action.
12, legacy thrives on humility and learning.
(22:37):
There have been times when I thought I
had all the answers, only be humbled by
a challenge or a wise mentor's perspective.
Staying open to learning has always allowed my
legacy to grow in ways I never could
have ever imagined.
Humility keeps us teachable, and when we keep
learning, we ensure our legacy stays relevant, meaningful,
(23:00):
and alive.
13, walking with mentors teaches resilience.
During one of my toughest chapters of my
life, I learned heavily on a mentor who
helped me see setbacks not as failures, but
as fuel for growth.
His guidance gave me the strength to rise,
(23:22):
to keep going, and to turn challenges into
stepping stones.
See, that resilience became a key part of
the legacy I now strive to pass on,
helping others see that the hard times shape
us just as much as, if not more
than, the victories.
Number 14, true legacy inspires the next generation
(23:44):
to do the same.
I've been fortunate to see people I've mentored
go on to become mentors themselves.
Watching them light the path for others fills
me with pride.
It shows that legacy is not just about
what we achieve, but about what we inspire
others to achieve, and I think when you
have this philosophy, and also the philosophy that
(24:08):
people can be mentors and be older than
you people, mentors can be younger than you,
but everyone's here to help each other learn,
and when we do that, we wind up
learning ourselves.
You see, when you learn something, you don't
really make it your own yet.
When you have to learn that again to
(24:28):
teach another group or someone, you learn it
for that again, and then when you teach,
you learn a third time, and then that's
when it truly becomes ownership.
Now, when those people learn what's going on,
they don't make it ownership until when?
Until they have chosen to pass it on
(24:49):
and teach someone else.
That's only when they can actually truly claim
ownership and really start implementing that idea, that
concept, that tool you shared with them, that
technique.
It happens because of the choice to make
(25:13):
it part of their lives.
Now, I know many of you watching this
are going to be like, well, I'm not
going to help anybody because, you know, I'm
too busy.
I get it, right?
What has anybody ever done for me?
I get that.
I understand that.
Believe me, but I want to tell you
that there are a lot of good people
out there that will embrace your support, and
(25:36):
by embracing your support, they'll also be there
and may be able to help you as
well, and I think these are things that
a lot of people just don't understand, and
the reason they don't understand them is because
they get stuck in this way of thinking,
this egotistical way of thinking that really doesn't
serve anybody, right?
(25:57):
When we think about what it means to
teach, teaching doesn't mean having an
ego and saying I'm better, but if we
look at what it was like to go
(26:17):
to Merriam-Webster, and we look up the
word teaching, the definition is, according to Merriam
-Webster, it's a noun, the art, practice, or
profession of a teacher, right?
Something taught, teaching, but what does it mean
to teach?
(26:39):
Well, to teach is a verb, to cause
to know, to cause to know how, to
accustom to some action or attitude, to cause
to know the disagreeable consequence of some action,
to guide the studies of, to impart the
knowledge of, to instruct by precept, example, experience,
to make known and accepted, to conduct instruction
(26:59):
regularly.
See, that's what teaching means, and when we
do it from our heart because we want
to help others, we'll sometimes get a benefit
because we'll learn more about what we're teaching,
and we might even become the students sometimes.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, at least
serial entrepreneur.
(27:19):
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations, and remember, guys, just
like you're open to learn, be open to
teach because you wanted to learn, and others
definitely want to as well.
Have a great one, everyone.
Be well.
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