July 18, 2025 • 29 mins
1️⃣ 💡 Influence lasts longer than presence
Years ago, I met a speaker at a conference who didn’t even have a major time slot. He was in one of the breakout rooms with maybe 25 people attending. But something about the way he spoke—his authenticity, his vulnerability—hit me deeply. He shared a story about failure, about almost giving up on his dream, and how he redefined success by helping others achieve theirs. I didn’t get a chance to speak with him after, but I wrote down a quote he shared: “You never know who’s watching you become the person they needed.” That line never left me.
To this day, I credit that one short session with shifting my mindset around mentorship and leadership. It reminded me that our influence isn’t about the number of eyes on us—it’s about the depth of impact we make when people are watching, even silently. He wasn’t a headliner or celebrity, yet his words moved through my life like ripples. That kind of influence outlives a presentation—it becomes part of who we are. And when we show up with intention and sincerity, that kind of energy echoes far beyond the room we’re in. 2️⃣ 👣 Your actions leave footprints
I once worked with a young man who was struggling to find purpose. He’d bounced around jobs, didn’t believe in himself, and was often late or disengaged. Instead of reprimanding him, I invited him out for coffee. We talked—really talked—for almost two hours. I shared some of my own early-career failures and the lessons that shaped me. That simple act—taking time to listen—changed our dynamic. He began showing up earlier, asking questions, taking initiative. Eventually, he became a leader in the same company.
What struck me most was that he told me years later, “I started believing in myself because you treated me like I mattered—even when I didn’t think I did.” That moment taught me that our actions—especially the small, everyday ones—leave behind prints others will step into. You don’t always see the impact right away, but every act of care, every moment of patience, leaves a trail. The question is: are those footprints leading people to empowerment… or discouragement? 3️⃣ 🧠 Ideas can outlive lifetimes
My grandfather passed away before I turned 10, but I still remember the small notebooks he used to keep in his workshop. He wrote down quotes, designs, inventions, and thoughts about how the world worked. At the time, I didn’t understand why he wrote so much—he wasn’t a professor or scientist, just a self-taught tinkerer. But as I grew older and read through his notebooks, I began to see the wisdom tucked between those pages. Ideas about resilience, balance, and curiosity shaped the way I think and create even today.
His legacy wasn’t in a fortune or a famous name—but in thoughts preserved, passed down, and rediscovered. That’s when I realized the power of sharing your ideas, even if you don’t think they’re revolutionary. You never know who will be influenced by what you write, speak, or invent. Whether you publish them or just record them in a journal, ideas can become seeds that bloom decades later in the lives of people you never meet. That is timeless influence. 4️⃣ ❤️ Love is a lasting legacy
My mother had this way of making everyone feel special. Whether it was a neighbor, a cashier, or a family friend, she always remembered their name, their story, and something important about their life. When she passed, people I barely knew came up to me to share how she had helped them—watching a child when they were sick, dropping off groceries without asking, or simply being there when no one else was. She didn’t talk much about it—she just lived it.
That experience taught me that the most profound legacies are written in love, not in accolades. The way you treat people, the way you care when no one’s watching—that becomes the soulprint you leave behind. It’s not the big, dramatic gestures, but the consistent presence, kindness, and empathy tha
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:16):
Hey guys,
it is John C. Morley, here serial entrepreneur, great
to be with you on Inspirations For Your
Life.
On Friday evening, as we wrap out this
amazing master topic that we've had all week,
(00:37):
and that is the power to change a
life, is already in, well, your hands.
It's great to be with you.
And the granular topic to close out this
week is what legacy really means, how you'll
be remembered, series four, show 29, and we're
on episode number seven.
Hey fans, if you're new here for the
(00:59):
very first time, I want to take this
opportunity to personally welcome you.
If you're coming back, well, definitely welcome back.
Thanks so much for being here.
If you're thirsty, feel free to go get
yourself something.
I just came from a barbecue, so I'm
good for the moment, but feel free to
get yourself something hot, something cold, sweet, tart,
maybe a drink, water, snacks, fruit, what have
(01:19):
you, all right?
So without any further ado, I want to
welcome you to another episode of the Inspirations
For Your Life podcast.
I am your host, podcast coach, entrepreneur, video
producer, engineer, graduate student, and so much more.
And it is my privilege and pleasure, ladies
(01:40):
and gentlemen, to be with you right here
today, because this topic goes beyond daily motivation.
It's about the mark you'll leave behind in
the world.
We often think of legacy as something tied
to fame or fortune, but in truth, your
legacy is shaped every single day by how
you live, love, be, and live others.
(02:03):
In this powerful episode, I dive very deep
into the real meaning of legacy and how
you can start shaping yours with true purpose.
And right now, if you've ever wondered what
people will remember about you or how to
live a life worth remembering, this episode is
your invitation, ladies and gentlemen, to go deeper.
(02:25):
Are you ready?
I know you are.
Don't forget, ladies and gentlemen, to check out
BelieveMeAchieve.com, of course, later, for more of
my amazing, of course, inspiring creations, whether that's
short form or long form.
Influence lasts longer, number one, than presence.
True influence isn't about being the loudest voice
(02:46):
in the room.
And it's about how deeply you impact others,
right?
And even when you're not around, think about
the people, right?
Think about the people who inspired you the
most.
Chances are it wasn't their title or their
(03:07):
wealth that stuck with you.
It was the way they made you feel,
think, and grow.
That's the essence, guys, of lasting influence.
And it's something we can all cultivate by
being intentional with our words and our actions.
Number two, guys, your actions leave footprints.
Yes, they do.
(03:27):
Your actions do leave footprints.
So every choice you make leaves, well, an
imprint, kind of like when you step in
the sand and you leave a footprint, or
in the snow, or maybe you have dirt
on your feet and you walk in the
house and your parents yell at you because
you've just tracked mud or dirt on their
(03:49):
beautiful new carpet.
You know, whether it's mentoring someone, giving honest
feedback, or simply showing up with pure kindness,
these actions become part of your legacy.
It's not about perfection.
It's about being conscious of the trail you're
living behind.
And what kind of footprints do you want
others to follow?
(04:10):
And I think that's a very important thing.
Do we think about the type of footprints
that we have and that other people often
will follow that we put down?
Do we think about that?
Number three, ideas can outlive lifetimes.
Think of inventors, writers, and dreamers whose ideas
(04:30):
still impact the world long after they are
gone.
You don't need to be famous to have
lasting ideas, folks.
Share your thoughts.
Teach others.
Write them down.
Your perspective could light the path for someone
you'll never meet.
And that's very powerful.
See, love is a lasting legacy.
(04:52):
Love, compassion, and genuine care are among the
most memorable legacies.
When people remember how deeply you love your
friends, your family, your community, they remember your
soul.
Let love guide your actions, even in, well,
the small things.
And you'll build, well, a legacy that hearts
(05:14):
will never forget, no matter how hard they
try.
Number five, legacy is built daily.
It's not something reserved for later.
You're building your legacy right now through every
conversation you have, every challenge, and every interaction.
The best legacies aren't written at the end
(05:36):
of life.
They're lived every day with pure intention, integrity,
and impact.
And I know that that sounds like something
that is, how can I say, hard to
understand.
But in reality, guys, that is the truth
of life.
Yes, that is the true truth of life.
(05:57):
Number six, guys, number six is a real
important one.
And that is that character builds reputation.
Your character is your silent signature.
It's what people say about you when you're
not in the room.
Are you reliable?
Honest?
Do you have integrity?
Are you compassionate?
(06:18):
These traits define not just your reputation, but
how others perceive you, how others model themselves
after you.
And that ripple can last for not only
days, weeks, months, years, but also generations to
come.
And I think that's a very, very important
(06:40):
thing to think about.
Are we truly doing this in a way
that makes sense?
I think that's very, very important.
Number seven, time well spent becomes memory.
We all get 24 hours a day, but
how you use them is what determines your
legacy.
Prioritize what determines your legacy and prioritize what
(07:05):
truly matters.
Presence over pressure, meaning over-multitasking the moment
you invest in others.
Become treasured memories they'll carry long after you're
gone.
I think that's an important thing for people
to understand is that whole moment.
And that's important, guys.
(07:28):
We have to understand how this works, right?
And if we truly understand how to manage
time, we can achieve anything.
Number eight, how you make others feel is
remembered.
(07:50):
People might forget what you said or even
did or what you gave them, but they're
never going to forget how you made them
feel.
See, that's your emotional legacy.
Be uplifting, be authentic, be generous with your
energy and your presence, and it will echo
long after you've left the room.
I'm not saying that that's always going to
(08:10):
be easy.
You've got to be truthful all the time.
Number nine, serve something bigger than yourself.
Legacy isn't built in isolation, folks.
It's built through service, whether it's mentoring youth,
supporting a case, or building community when you
serve a mission.
Beyond your own goals, your life becomes a
(08:31):
vessel for something truly enduring.
Number 10, legacy, folks, is the story others
tell about you.
At the end of the day, your legacy
lives in the stories others share.
Will they say you inspired them, made them
laugh, helped them grow, became intentional?
All because of how you showed up and
(08:52):
wrote a story, others will now be proud
to share and maybe even hope to carry
out in their own lives in a similar
way.
I think when we hear the word legacy,
a lot of people think about what happens
when we're not here.
(09:13):
But really, legacy is what happens when you're
not in the room at the moment.
It could just be leaving for a purpose,
right?
Maybe you had to go somewhere.
And I think that's a very important thing.
So here is the part of the show
that I really like.
I mean, I like the whole show.
I'm sure you know that.
But this part I really like.
I am going to basically give you basically
(09:37):
a personal lesson or story to teach a
lesson, to teach something to you.
And I think when I do that, this
(09:57):
whole concept is going to like jump off
the board, right?
You see, you got to put a little
bit of elbow grease.
You've got to roll your sleeves up sometimes.
I mean, I think that's important to know.
But I get why some people don't, okay?
(10:18):
I get why people don't.
That makes sense to you, right?
Does that make sense to you?
Or does it not make sense?
I mean, I think that's probably the biggest
(10:39):
question.
Does it make sense?
Or do you just get kind of flustered?
Does that
(11:09):
give you any ideas?
Or does that kind of, I don't know,
confuse you?
It could.
Or does it lift you up in a
very unique and very special way?
I think sometimes being able to do that
(11:38):
can put us in a different position in
our lives, right?
Maybe it can.
But I think many times people judge because
we may not be at that point someone
else is at.
I mean, maybe.
Then again, we may, right?
And if you understand your own story, people
(12:02):
are going to want to learn more about
it.
Your story should not be boasting or bragging
or anything like that.
But what it should do is it should
inspire others.
It should let people know who the heck
you really are.
And that's going to get people curious to
ask more questions.
And you should be curious about their story
too.
(12:23):
Influence lasts longer than presence.
Years ago, I met a speaker at a
conference who didn't even have a major time
slot.
He was in one of the breakout rooms
with maybe 25 people attending.
But something about the way he spoke is
authenticity.
(12:44):
His vulnerability hit me deeply.
He shared a story about failure.
He shared what he was doing in life
and how he almost had been basically giving
up on his dream and how he redefined
success by helping others achieve theirs.
I didn't get a chance to speak with
him after.
But I wrote down a quote he shared.
(13:05):
You never know who's watching you become the
person they need.
You never know who's watching you become the
person they needed.
That line never left me or my life.
(13:28):
That make sense?
I think that hopefully will resonate with you.
So to this day, I credit that one
short session with shifting my mindset around mentorship
and leadership.
(13:48):
It reminded me that our influence isn't about
the number of eyes on us.
It's about the depth of the impact we
make when people are watching, even silently.
He wasn't a headliner or celebrity.
Yet his words moved me and went through
my life like ripples.
(14:09):
See, that kind of influence outlives a presentation.
It could be over shortly or hours later.
It becomes part of who we are inside.
And when we show up with intention and
sincerity, that kind of energy echoes far beyond
the room we're in.
Your actions leave footprints.
(14:30):
I once worked with a young man who
was struggling to find a purpose.
He bounced around jobs, didn't believe in himself,
was often late or disengaged.
Instead of reprimanding him, I invited him out
for coffee.
We talked, really talked, for almost two hours.
I shared some of my early career failures
(14:51):
and the lessons that shaped me.
That simple act, taking time to listen, changed
our dynamic.
He began showing up earlier, asking questions, taking
initiative.
And eventually, he became a leader in the
same company.
What struck me most about this person was
(15:12):
that he told me years later, I started
believing in myself because you treated me like
I mattered, even when I didn't think I
did.
See, that moment taught me that our actions,
especially the small, everyday ones, leave behind prints
others will step into.
You don't always see the impact right away,
but every act of care, every moment of
(15:33):
patience leaves a trail.
The question is, are those footprints leading people
to empowerment or discouragement?
Does that make sense?
(15:57):
And so, when we think about that, the
question is, you know, we don't always see
that impact right away.
As I said, are those footprints leading people
to empowerment or discouragement, as I like to
say?
Again, ideas can outlive lifetimes.
(16:19):
My grandfather passed away before I even reached
third grade.
But I still remember the small notebook he
used to keep in his workshop.
He wrote down quotes, designs, inventions, and thoughts
about how the world worked.
I also remember how he revered me more
(16:41):
than any adult at the time.
He believed in me at a very young
age, when I was nothing.
At the time, I didn't understand why he
wrote so much.
He wasn't a professor or a scientist, just
a self-really thought tinkerer.
But as I grew older and read through
his notebooks, I began to see the wisdom
(17:03):
tucked in between those pages.
Ideas about, well, resilience, balance, and curiosity shaped
the way he thought and now I think
and create even today.
His legacy wasn't in a fortune or a
famous name, but in thoughts preserved, passed down,
and rediscovered.
That's when I realized the power of sharing
(17:23):
your ideas, even if you don't think they're
revolutionary.
You never know who will be influenced by
what you write, speak, or invent.
Whether you're published and whether you put them
somewhere or just record them in a journal,
ideas can become seeds that bloom decades later
in the lives of people you never even
(17:44):
met.
That's a timeless influence.
Love is a lasting legacy.
My mother had this way of making everyone
feel special, whether it was a neighbor, cashier,
or family friend.
She always remembered their name, their story, and
something important about their life.
(18:07):
People many times didn't know what she was
doing, but she tried to give an act
of kindness to everyone.
That experience taught me that the most profound
legacies are written in love, not in accolades,
not on a stage.
The way you treat people, the way you
care when no one's watching, that becomes the
(18:30):
soul print you leave behind.
It's not the big dramatic gestures, but the
consistent presence, the kindness, and the empathy that
build a legacy of love.
When people remember how deeply you cared, they
carry your spirit with them.
See, that's the kind of legacy, folks, that
never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever dies.
(18:52):
I think that's an important thing.
Legacy is built daily.
I used to think legacy was something you
created later in life, when you were established,
retired, or reflecting back, but a mentor of
mine had challenged me.
The idea early in my career, he said,
John, you're building your legacy right now, whether
(19:13):
you realize it or not.
That stuck with me.
I began to see that every inflection, every
decision, every opportunity to show up with integrity
was a brushstroke in the bigger picture of
who I was becoming.
One day, I found myself dealing with a
very difficult client.
It would have been easy to lose my
cool or take shortcuts, but I remembered that
(19:33):
advice, and I chose to respond with patience
and grace.
Later, that client referred me to three others
and saying, you're someone who treats people with
respect, even when it's hard.
That was a reminder that our legacy isn't
formed in grand moments.
It's shaped in the mundane daily choices we
(19:54):
make, and each day is a chance to
build the reputation you're proud of.
Character builds reputation.
It really does.
A friend of mine once lost a job
due to a company restructuring.
In the weeks that followed, I saw him
go out.
I was way to support the team that
(20:14):
led him out the door.
He wrote recommendation letters for junior staff, referred
clients back to the company, and never spoke
poorly about anyone.
When I asked him why he said they
took my title, not my character, that response
floored me.
Watching him act with such integrity changed the
(20:35):
way I define professionalism and strength.
He didn't burn bridges.
He reinforced them.
His reputation remained, well, solid, but not because
of his position, but because of his consistent
character.
That showed me how your values that we
build can outlast circumstances.
(20:57):
The world might take away your role, your
recognition, even your security, but it cannot touch
your character unless you let it in.
That's the kind of legacy that inspires generations.
Time well spent becomes memory.
A few summers ago, I took a weekend
off, no phones, no email, to spend time
with just nature.
(21:20):
And knowing I could just be appreciative of
what's around.
To me, it was just a fun break.
But months later, I started realizing the real
truth of that weekend.
The real plan that the universe was putting
(21:40):
out for me.
That humbled me more than any business milestone
I had that year.
It made me realize how precious and lasting
intentional time can be.
We often chase productivity and progress, but in
doing so, we sometimes miss the legacy moments.
The ones where you're fully present, when you
(22:00):
invest time in others, especially without distraction.
You're building memories that shape how they see
the world and you.
And these memories often outlast any words you
speak or achievements you post online.
How you make others feel should be remembered.
Again, they don't care what you said or
what you did, but they'll always remember how
(22:21):
you made them feel.
In my early 20s, I gave a presentation
at a networking event that frankly, well, didn't
go as well as I expected.
I stumbled over a few words, lost my
train of thought, and got wrapped up a
little bit early.
I felt a little bit uneasy and slightly
humiliated, but afterward, a lady approached me and
said, I loved how human you were up
(22:43):
there.
It reminded me that I don't have to
be perfect to be powerful.
That comment healed me in ways I didn't
even know it could.
That interaction has stayed with me for years.
Not because someone praised my content, but because
the person made me feel seen, appreciated, accepted.
(23:04):
It reminded me that people rarely remember every
detail of what you say, but they always
remember how you make them feel.
We all carry emotional imprints from those around
us.
If we can make others feel valued, safe,
and inspired, that's a legacy that travels far,
sometimes further than we'll ever know.
Serve something bigger than yourself.
(23:26):
When I started volunteering in a local youth
center, I thought I was just giving back,
but the truth is I received far more
than I gave.
There was one teen who came in every
week to avoid trouble at home.
Over time, I watched him light up during
our robotic sessions.
Eventually, he applied to a tech program, got
(23:47):
a scholarship, and returned years later as a
volunteer.
He said, I wanted to be someone as
what you were to me.
That moment showed me the power of service
-driven legacy.
When you contribute to something larger than yourself,
you impact changes and it multiplies in ways
(24:10):
you didn't even know could.
It's not about being a savior.
It's about showing up, giving consistently, and empowering
others to rise to the occasion.
And basically, starting to build community, legacy, which
is built through service.
And it lasts longer because it inspires others
to carry the torch.
(24:31):
That's how your story becomes a movement.
Legacy is a story others tell about you.
A few years ago, I asked my closest
friend and colleagues, what's one word you use
to describe me?
I expected words like entrepreneur, speaker, coach.
Instead, I got encourager, listener, bridge builder.
(24:52):
It was eye-opening.
It made me realize that the story I
thought I was telling with my life, ambition,
drive, achievement, wasn't the whole story others were
actually experiencing.
This taught me powerful truths.
Your legacy is not what you say about
yourself.
It's what others say about you when you're
not in the room.
It's the emotional and moral footprint you leave
(25:14):
on the hearts of those around you, not
just the headlines.
So every day I try to ask, am
I writing a story others would be proud
to retell?
Because in the end, it's not about me
being remembered by millions.
It's about being remembered meaningfully by the few
whose lives I tell.
(25:37):
I don't know about you, but I think
this was a perfect close to this wonderful
weekend.
We talked about a lot.
We talked about different skills.
We talked about all this coming down to
something.
It's about a belief.
A belief that maybe you didn't know you
(25:57):
had.
I'm going to share another story I had
today.
I was at a picnic and just kind
of talking to a few different people, mayor
and a few other members in our group.
And I was talking to one person about
what I'm doing in school and whatnot.
And the person's like, oh, that's not for
me.
But you know what?
(26:18):
You're driven.
You're determined.
You'll do it.
You'll achieve it.
And so that told me that people have
a high regard for me, my moral character,
and for what I set out to do.
I think that's an important thing for a
lot of people to realize.
(26:39):
This all starts with a belief.
Now, it's great when others can give you
that belief.
But you know, if you start the belief
and you believe in yourself, others will start
saying the same thing back.
You see, what we believe we are, other
people will see that because it's going to
reflect out, right?
If you paint a wall red, others are
(27:00):
going to see the wall red.
If you think of painting a wall red,
but you paint it blue, that's what's going
to resonate out, the blue.
So I know that this is a hard
thing for many of you to grasp.
And I don't expect you to get all
the lessons tonight.
(27:21):
But I do hope that you will come
back and that this will resonate with you
so that you'll understand not only the purpose
of being intentional with legacy and creating stories
that aren't about ego, but are truly about
the greater good for all concerned.
(27:44):
And I think when we put that in
perspective, when we say, hey, you know what?
I'm not doing this for ego.
I'm doing this because I want to make
the world a better place.
You know what?
You will make the world a better place.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, serial entrepreneur.
(28:05):
And it is such a privilege, a pleasure
and honor to be with you every time
I'm live on camera or I'm doing a
real or the short form or long form
content.
I'm very grateful to everyone that's here.
And I hope that I've impacted some of
you to make some changes in your life
right now.
Be well, everyone, and take care.
(28:50):
Bye.
Hey guys,
it is John C. Morley, here serial entrepreneur, great
to be with you on Inspirations For Your
Life.
On Friday evening, as we wrap out this
amazing master topic that we've had all week,
(00:37):
and that is the power to change a
life, is already in, well, your hands.
It's great to be with you.
And the granular topic to close out this
week is what legacy really means, how you'll
be remembered, series four, show 29, and we're
on episode number seven.
Hey fans, if you're new here for the
(00:59):
very first time, I want to take this
opportunity to personally welcome you.
If you're coming back, well, definitely welcome back.
Thanks so much for being here.
If you're thirsty, feel free to go get
yourself something.
I just came from a barbecue, so I'm
good for the moment, but feel free to
get yourself something hot, something cold, sweet, tart,
maybe a drink, water, snacks, fruit, what have
(01:19):
you, all right?
So without any further ado, I want to
welcome you to another episode of the Inspirations
For Your Life podcast.
I am your host, podcast coach, entrepreneur, video
producer, engineer, graduate student, and so much more.
And it is my privilege and pleasure, ladies
(01:40):
and gentlemen, to be with you right here
today, because this topic goes beyond daily motivation.
It's about the mark you'll leave behind in
the world.
We often think of legacy as something tied
to fame or fortune, but in truth, your
legacy is shaped every single day by how
you live, love, be, and live others.
(02:03):
In this powerful episode, I dive very deep
into the real meaning of legacy and how
you can start shaping yours with true purpose.
And right now, if you've ever wondered what
people will remember about you or how to
live a life worth remembering, this episode is
your invitation, ladies and gentlemen, to go deeper.
(02:25):
Are you ready?
I know you are.
Don't forget, ladies and gentlemen, to check out
BelieveMeAchieve.com, of course, later, for more of
my amazing, of course, inspiring creations, whether that's
short form or long form.
Influence lasts longer, number one, than presence.
True influence isn't about being the loudest voice
(02:46):
in the room.
And it's about how deeply you impact others,
right?
And even when you're not around, think about
the people, right?
Think about the people who inspired you the
most.
Chances are it wasn't their title or their
(03:07):
wealth that stuck with you.
It was the way they made you feel,
think, and grow.
That's the essence, guys, of lasting influence.
And it's something we can all cultivate by
being intentional with our words and our actions.
Number two, guys, your actions leave footprints.
Yes, they do.
(03:27):
Your actions do leave footprints.
So every choice you make leaves, well, an
imprint, kind of like when you step in
the sand and you leave a footprint, or
in the snow, or maybe you have dirt
on your feet and you walk in the
house and your parents yell at you because
you've just tracked mud or dirt on their
(03:49):
beautiful new carpet.
You know, whether it's mentoring someone, giving honest
feedback, or simply showing up with pure kindness,
these actions become part of your legacy.
It's not about perfection.
It's about being conscious of the trail you're
living behind.
And what kind of footprints do you want
others to follow?
(04:10):
And I think that's a very important thing.
Do we think about the type of footprints
that we have and that other people often
will follow that we put down?
Do we think about that?
Number three, ideas can outlive lifetimes.
Think of inventors, writers, and dreamers whose ideas
(04:30):
still impact the world long after they are
gone.
You don't need to be famous to have
lasting ideas, folks.
Share your thoughts.
Teach others.
Write them down.
Your perspective could light the path for someone
you'll never meet.
And that's very powerful.
See, love is a lasting legacy.
(04:52):
Love, compassion, and genuine care are among the
most memorable legacies.
When people remember how deeply you love your
friends, your family, your community, they remember your
soul.
Let love guide your actions, even in, well,
the small things.
And you'll build, well, a legacy that hearts
(05:14):
will never forget, no matter how hard they
try.
Number five, legacy is built daily.
It's not something reserved for later.
You're building your legacy right now through every
conversation you have, every challenge, and every interaction.
The best legacies aren't written at the end
(05:36):
of life.
They're lived every day with pure intention, integrity,
and impact.
And I know that that sounds like something
that is, how can I say, hard to
understand.
But in reality, guys, that is the truth
of life.
Yes, that is the true truth of life.
(05:57):
Number six, guys, number six is a real
important one.
And that is that character builds reputation.
Your character is your silent signature.
It's what people say about you when you're
not in the room.
Are you reliable?
Honest?
Do you have integrity?
Are you compassionate?
(06:18):
These traits define not just your reputation, but
how others perceive you, how others model themselves
after you.
And that ripple can last for not only
days, weeks, months, years, but also generations to
come.
And I think that's a very, very important
(06:40):
thing to think about.
Are we truly doing this in a way
that makes sense?
I think that's very, very important.
Number seven, time well spent becomes memory.
We all get 24 hours a day, but
how you use them is what determines your
legacy.
Prioritize what determines your legacy and prioritize what
(07:05):
truly matters.
Presence over pressure, meaning over-multitasking the moment
you invest in others.
Become treasured memories they'll carry long after you're
gone.
I think that's an important thing for people
to understand is that whole moment.
And that's important, guys.
(07:28):
We have to understand how this works, right?
And if we truly understand how to manage
time, we can achieve anything.
Number eight, how you make others feel is
remembered.
(07:50):
People might forget what you said or even
did or what you gave them, but they're
never going to forget how you made them
feel.
See, that's your emotional legacy.
Be uplifting, be authentic, be generous with your
energy and your presence, and it will echo
long after you've left the room.
I'm not saying that that's always going to
(08:10):
be easy.
You've got to be truthful all the time.
Number nine, serve something bigger than yourself.
Legacy isn't built in isolation, folks.
It's built through service, whether it's mentoring youth,
supporting a case, or building community when you
serve a mission.
Beyond your own goals, your life becomes a
(08:31):
vessel for something truly enduring.
Number 10, legacy, folks, is the story others
tell about you.
At the end of the day, your legacy
lives in the stories others share.
Will they say you inspired them, made them
laugh, helped them grow, became intentional?
All because of how you showed up and
(08:52):
wrote a story, others will now be proud
to share and maybe even hope to carry
out in their own lives in a similar
way.
I think when we hear the word legacy,
a lot of people think about what happens
when we're not here.
(09:13):
But really, legacy is what happens when you're
not in the room at the moment.
It could just be leaving for a purpose,
right?
Maybe you had to go somewhere.
And I think that's a very important thing.
So here is the part of the show
that I really like.
I mean, I like the whole show.
I'm sure you know that.
But this part I really like.
I am going to basically give you basically
(09:37):
a personal lesson or story to teach a
lesson, to teach something to you.
And I think when I do that, this
(09:57):
whole concept is going to like jump off
the board, right?
You see, you got to put a little
bit of elbow grease.
You've got to roll your sleeves up sometimes.
I mean, I think that's important to know.
But I get why some people don't, okay?
(10:18):
I get why people don't.
That makes sense to you, right?
Does that make sense to you?
Or does it not make sense?
I mean, I think that's probably the biggest
(10:39):
question.
Does it make sense?
Or do you just get kind of flustered?
Does that
(11:09):
give you any ideas?
Or does that kind of, I don't know,
confuse you?
It could.
Or does it lift you up in a
very unique and very special way?
I think sometimes being able to do that
(11:38):
can put us in a different position in
our lives, right?
Maybe it can.
But I think many times people judge because
we may not be at that point someone
else is at.
I mean, maybe.
Then again, we may, right?
And if you understand your own story, people
(12:02):
are going to want to learn more about
it.
Your story should not be boasting or bragging
or anything like that.
But what it should do is it should
inspire others.
It should let people know who the heck
you really are.
And that's going to get people curious to
ask more questions.
And you should be curious about their story
too.
(12:23):
Influence lasts longer than presence.
Years ago, I met a speaker at a
conference who didn't even have a major time
slot.
He was in one of the breakout rooms
with maybe 25 people attending.
But something about the way he spoke is
authenticity.
(12:44):
His vulnerability hit me deeply.
He shared a story about failure.
He shared what he was doing in life
and how he almost had been basically giving
up on his dream and how he redefined
success by helping others achieve theirs.
I didn't get a chance to speak with
him after.
But I wrote down a quote he shared.
(13:05):
You never know who's watching you become the
person they need.
You never know who's watching you become the
person they needed.
That line never left me or my life.
(13:28):
That make sense?
I think that hopefully will resonate with you.
So to this day, I credit that one
short session with shifting my mindset around mentorship
and leadership.
(13:48):
It reminded me that our influence isn't about
the number of eyes on us.
It's about the depth of the impact we
make when people are watching, even silently.
He wasn't a headliner or celebrity.
Yet his words moved me and went through
my life like ripples.
(14:09):
See, that kind of influence outlives a presentation.
It could be over shortly or hours later.
It becomes part of who we are inside.
And when we show up with intention and
sincerity, that kind of energy echoes far beyond
the room we're in.
Your actions leave footprints.
(14:30):
I once worked with a young man who
was struggling to find a purpose.
He bounced around jobs, didn't believe in himself,
was often late or disengaged.
Instead of reprimanding him, I invited him out
for coffee.
We talked, really talked, for almost two hours.
I shared some of my early career failures
(14:51):
and the lessons that shaped me.
That simple act, taking time to listen, changed
our dynamic.
He began showing up earlier, asking questions, taking
initiative.
And eventually, he became a leader in the
same company.
What struck me most about this person was
(15:12):
that he told me years later, I started
believing in myself because you treated me like
I mattered, even when I didn't think I
did.
See, that moment taught me that our actions,
especially the small, everyday ones, leave behind prints
others will step into.
You don't always see the impact right away,
but every act of care, every moment of
(15:33):
patience leaves a trail.
The question is, are those footprints leading people
to empowerment or discouragement?
Does that make sense?
(15:57):
And so, when we think about that, the
question is, you know, we don't always see
that impact right away.
As I said, are those footprints leading people
to empowerment or discouragement, as I like to
say?
Again, ideas can outlive lifetimes.
(16:19):
My grandfather passed away before I even reached
third grade.
But I still remember the small notebook he
used to keep in his workshop.
He wrote down quotes, designs, inventions, and thoughts
about how the world worked.
I also remember how he revered me more
(16:41):
than any adult at the time.
He believed in me at a very young
age, when I was nothing.
At the time, I didn't understand why he
wrote so much.
He wasn't a professor or a scientist, just
a self-really thought tinkerer.
But as I grew older and read through
his notebooks, I began to see the wisdom
(17:03):
tucked in between those pages.
Ideas about, well, resilience, balance, and curiosity shaped
the way he thought and now I think
and create even today.
His legacy wasn't in a fortune or a
famous name, but in thoughts preserved, passed down,
and rediscovered.
That's when I realized the power of sharing
(17:23):
your ideas, even if you don't think they're
revolutionary.
You never know who will be influenced by
what you write, speak, or invent.
Whether you're published and whether you put them
somewhere or just record them in a journal,
ideas can become seeds that bloom decades later
in the lives of people you never even
(17:44):
met.
That's a timeless influence.
Love is a lasting legacy.
My mother had this way of making everyone
feel special, whether it was a neighbor, cashier,
or family friend.
She always remembered their name, their story, and
something important about their life.
(18:07):
People many times didn't know what she was
doing, but she tried to give an act
of kindness to everyone.
That experience taught me that the most profound
legacies are written in love, not in accolades,
not on a stage.
The way you treat people, the way you
care when no one's watching, that becomes the
(18:30):
soul print you leave behind.
It's not the big dramatic gestures, but the
consistent presence, the kindness, and the empathy that
build a legacy of love.
When people remember how deeply you cared, they
carry your spirit with them.
See, that's the kind of legacy, folks, that
never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever dies.
(18:52):
I think that's an important thing.
Legacy is built daily.
I used to think legacy was something you
created later in life, when you were established,
retired, or reflecting back, but a mentor of
mine had challenged me.
The idea early in my career, he said,
John, you're building your legacy right now, whether
(19:13):
you realize it or not.
That stuck with me.
I began to see that every inflection, every
decision, every opportunity to show up with integrity
was a brushstroke in the bigger picture of
who I was becoming.
One day, I found myself dealing with a
very difficult client.
It would have been easy to lose my
cool or take shortcuts, but I remembered that
(19:33):
advice, and I chose to respond with patience
and grace.
Later, that client referred me to three others
and saying, you're someone who treats people with
respect, even when it's hard.
That was a reminder that our legacy isn't
formed in grand moments.
It's shaped in the mundane daily choices we
(19:54):
make, and each day is a chance to
build the reputation you're proud of.
Character builds reputation.
It really does.
A friend of mine once lost a job
due to a company restructuring.
In the weeks that followed, I saw him
go out.
I was way to support the team that
(20:14):
led him out the door.
He wrote recommendation letters for junior staff, referred
clients back to the company, and never spoke
poorly about anyone.
When I asked him why he said they
took my title, not my character, that response
floored me.
Watching him act with such integrity changed the
(20:35):
way I define professionalism and strength.
He didn't burn bridges.
He reinforced them.
His reputation remained, well, solid, but not because
of his position, but because of his consistent
character.
That showed me how your values that we
build can outlast circumstances.
(20:57):
The world might take away your role, your
recognition, even your security, but it cannot touch
your character unless you let it in.
That's the kind of legacy that inspires generations.
Time well spent becomes memory.
A few summers ago, I took a weekend
off, no phones, no email, to spend time
with just nature.
(21:20):
And knowing I could just be appreciative of
what's around.
To me, it was just a fun break.
But months later, I started realizing the real
truth of that weekend.
The real plan that the universe was putting
(21:40):
out for me.
That humbled me more than any business milestone
I had that year.
It made me realize how precious and lasting
intentional time can be.
We often chase productivity and progress, but in
doing so, we sometimes miss the legacy moments.
The ones where you're fully present, when you
(22:00):
invest time in others, especially without distraction.
You're building memories that shape how they see
the world and you.
And these memories often outlast any words you
speak or achievements you post online.
How you make others feel should be remembered.
Again, they don't care what you said or
what you did, but they'll always remember how
(22:21):
you made them feel.
In my early 20s, I gave a presentation
at a networking event that frankly, well, didn't
go as well as I expected.
I stumbled over a few words, lost my
train of thought, and got wrapped up a
little bit early.
I felt a little bit uneasy and slightly
humiliated, but afterward, a lady approached me and
said, I loved how human you were up
(22:43):
there.
It reminded me that I don't have to
be perfect to be powerful.
That comment healed me in ways I didn't
even know it could.
That interaction has stayed with me for years.
Not because someone praised my content, but because
the person made me feel seen, appreciated, accepted.
(23:04):
It reminded me that people rarely remember every
detail of what you say, but they always
remember how you make them feel.
We all carry emotional imprints from those around
us.
If we can make others feel valued, safe,
and inspired, that's a legacy that travels far,
sometimes further than we'll ever know.
Serve something bigger than yourself.
(23:26):
When I started volunteering in a local youth
center, I thought I was just giving back,
but the truth is I received far more
than I gave.
There was one teen who came in every
week to avoid trouble at home.
Over time, I watched him light up during
our robotic sessions.
Eventually, he applied to a tech program, got
(23:47):
a scholarship, and returned years later as a
volunteer.
He said, I wanted to be someone as
what you were to me.
That moment showed me the power of service
-driven legacy.
When you contribute to something larger than yourself,
you impact changes and it multiplies in ways
(24:10):
you didn't even know could.
It's not about being a savior.
It's about showing up, giving consistently, and empowering
others to rise to the occasion.
And basically, starting to build community, legacy, which
is built through service.
And it lasts longer because it inspires others
to carry the torch.
(24:31):
That's how your story becomes a movement.
Legacy is a story others tell about you.
A few years ago, I asked my closest
friend and colleagues, what's one word you use
to describe me?
I expected words like entrepreneur, speaker, coach.
Instead, I got encourager, listener, bridge builder.
(24:52):
It was eye-opening.
It made me realize that the story I
thought I was telling with my life, ambition,
drive, achievement, wasn't the whole story others were
actually experiencing.
This taught me powerful truths.
Your legacy is not what you say about
yourself.
It's what others say about you when you're
not in the room.
It's the emotional and moral footprint you leave
(25:14):
on the hearts of those around you, not
just the headlines.
So every day I try to ask, am
I writing a story others would be proud
to retell?
Because in the end, it's not about me
being remembered by millions.
It's about being remembered meaningfully by the few
whose lives I tell.
(25:37):
I don't know about you, but I think
this was a perfect close to this wonderful
weekend.
We talked about a lot.
We talked about different skills.
We talked about all this coming down to
something.
It's about a belief.
A belief that maybe you didn't know you
(25:57):
had.
I'm going to share another story I had
today.
I was at a picnic and just kind
of talking to a few different people, mayor
and a few other members in our group.
And I was talking to one person about
what I'm doing in school and whatnot.
And the person's like, oh, that's not for
me.
But you know what?
(26:18):
You're driven.
You're determined.
You'll do it.
You'll achieve it.
And so that told me that people have
a high regard for me, my moral character,
and for what I set out to do.
I think that's an important thing for a
lot of people to realize.
(26:39):
This all starts with a belief.
Now, it's great when others can give you
that belief.
But you know, if you start the belief
and you believe in yourself, others will start
saying the same thing back.
You see, what we believe we are, other
people will see that because it's going to
reflect out, right?
If you paint a wall red, others are
(27:00):
going to see the wall red.
If you think of painting a wall red,
but you paint it blue, that's what's going
to resonate out, the blue.
So I know that this is a hard
thing for many of you to grasp.
And I don't expect you to get all
the lessons tonight.
(27:21):
But I do hope that you will come
back and that this will resonate with you
so that you'll understand not only the purpose
of being intentional with legacy and creating stories
that aren't about ego, but are truly about
the greater good for all concerned.
(27:44):
And I think when we put that in
perspective, when we say, hey, you know what?
I'm not doing this for ego.
I'm doing this because I want to make
the world a better place.
You know what?
You will make the world a better place.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John Seymour, serial entrepreneur.
(28:05):
And it is such a privilege, a pleasure
and honor to be with you every time
I'm live on camera or I'm doing a
real or the short form or long form
content.
I'm very grateful to everyone that's here.
And I hope that I've impacted some of
you to make some changes in your life
right now.
Be well, everyone, and take care.
(28:50):
Bye.
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