Storytelling, Reflection, and Legacy
Reflection & Story-telling
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."
— Aristotle
Whether you are preparing for retirement soon or simply thinking long-term, year-end reflection offers a chance to consider how you want your story to be remembered.
The importance of storytelling:
Sharing personal and professional stories deepens connection and clarifies identity. It helps you honor pivotal experiences, acknowledge lessons learned, and communicate the values that guided your life.
Reflection as part of identity:
Retirement planning often focuses on finances and logistics. It is equally important to examine purpose and identity beyond your career. Consider the people you influenced, the lessons you learned, and the values you upheld.
“We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”
-Jimmy Neil Smith, Director of the International Storytelling Center
A storytelling and legacy exercise:
Identify five to ten defining moments from your career or life.
Note the emotions, values, and relationships that shaped each moment.
Ask yourself what each moment taught you.
Craft a short personal legacy statement that reflects your core values and the impact you hope to leave.
Share your insights with someone you care about or record them for future generations.
This practice honors your story and helps you carry wisdom into the next chapter of your life.