Earlier this week I attended the Global Best Practices Conference presented by TDn2K (Turning Data Into Knowledge). The two and half days were full of inspiring and informative speakers and meeting new and old friends from the restaurant industry.
Wally Doolin, Chairman and Founder of TDn2K, gave me some food for thought in his talk “The Long View: Reflections and Projections”. He spoke about leaving a legacy. The legacy he spoke of is not the kind you leave with your will, but the kind of legacy that you leave with your heart. With thanks to Wally for this framework, here are my thoughts on his four key points:
Conscious: I call this “pay attention!” You can go through life without a thought to your impact on others, on yourself or the earth. The alternative, of course, is to be conscious about the choices you make every day. Just the mere act of paying attention can positively impact your interactions with the people you love, and the chance encounters you have throughout the day. By paying attention, we make more thoughtful choices about what we eat, say, do and leave in the world.
Create: The definition of this word is “to bring into existence.” This word has power. What is it that you will create? Wally spoke of creating jobs and opportunities. As a business person, this is a big part of your role. What else can you create? What is meaningful to you that will make others’ lives better? Perhaps you will create a workplace where people can use their talents and strengths to be successful. Your gift may be art or music. Or, you might create safe places for people or animals. The list of possibilities is endless.
Unlearn: This may seem counter-intuitive; however unlearning and learning may not be the polar opposites they seem. Some of the things you’ve learned or the beliefs you’ve held may not be relevant or helpful in your life today. Unlearning begs for new learning to take place. With new learning you gain more relevant or helpful skills and habits or perspectives that can make you a more productive and happier person.
Share: H. Jackson Brown, Jr said it best: “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” Whatever you have to share – a smile, time, money, or a shoulder to cry on – share it. In doing so, you will make someone else’s life better, as well as your own.
As you go about your week, remember:
Pay Attention
Create Something Meaningful
Unlearn the Unnecessary and Learn Something Helpful
Share More
You will leave your piece of the world a better place.
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