What do you want to be known for? Have you ever wanted to be famous? Maybe not paparazzi famous, but have you ever dreamed of being remembered centuries after your death for your leadership, sacrifice, and service?
Most of us will never be worldwide, history book famous.
But what if you could be famous where you are: among the people who matter to you: in your home, your organization, and your community?
What would it take to be famous at work?
You could be known for the way you always have an ear for a hurting co-worker. You could be known for always arriving early, making the coffee and greeting everyone with a cheerful “Good morning.” Or you could be known for your ready smile, for knowing everyone’s birthday. You could be known for being the manager who stops, listens, gives people your attention.
What would it take to be famous in your family?
Could you be known for always remembering to take out the trash? For your special cinnamon whip cream and pancakes on Saturday? For your daddy-daughter dates on weekday evenings?
What would it take to be famous in your community?
You could be known for your careful watch over the neighborhood. You could be known for your yearly service project. You could be known for showing up, for involving others, for gathering people around a common cause.
Valuing and engaging others makes you famous where it matters. In order to be known for doing something good, you have to do it.
Start today.
Join the conversation here!
Who are the memorable people you know? How do they value and engage others?
What actions will you take to be famous where you are?
This was originally posted at Mountain State University LeaderTalk and is re-posted with permission.
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.
Thanks for this post Becky, I really enjoyed it.
So that others can also be famous for special cinnamon whip cream and pancakes here’s the link to the recipe I got from watching Paula Dean on TV:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paulas-home-cooking/chocolate-chip-pancakes-with-cinnamon-cream-recipe/index.html
Thanks for a good question, Becky.
We’re always building our brands at work, at home, in the community… even while grocery shopping.
It may seem morose, but I took it so far as to write my own best-case eulogy. Okay… it’s not really morose, because I planned it for 2075. 🙂 What I gained from that exercise is a strategic look at my life from the end looking backward. It really helped me clarify some values.
Thanks for the question!
Best,
Michael
I don’t want people to gather at my funeral and say how wonderful I was. I want them to say that I was faithful, that I was a servant and that I loved God and people. Although I do make a mighty good Red Velvet cake that I’d like to be remembered for too 😉
Great thought to ponder – thanks, Becky!
Thanks for the reminder, fortuately, I am known for my giving heart. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
This is good stuff, I love your writing skills and I am linking you to my blog, so others may enjoy :o)
Christy
Loved this post, Becky. It drills down to the core: examining what really matters to each of us. It made me think about how I treat the little moments and actions that add up to memories in someone’s mind. What will they recall about me? I don’t want it to be a moment when I showed impatience, for example. As Michael mentioned, keeping “the end” in mind causes me to take the long view when I respond to someone in the present. It helps me remember to be more loving and kind.