This is an insanely busy time for some of you, while others are taking the chance to settle back a bit and prepare for next year’s challenges.

But wherever you’re at, it’s always good to maintain perspective. That’s what leaders do, right?

No doubt you’ve heard that “when you’re on your death bed, nobody ever says they wish they’d spent more time at work.” While there’s truth in that, it also demeans the value of working to do impactful things.

Instead, we should be asking whether life – and business – is having the positive impact we would hope for.

Yes, business can have positive impact in the world. And it should.

  • Give people gainful employment.
  • Make customers’ lives better.
  • Build a healthier society.
  • Heal the planet.

If it’s doing these things well, then we can say that the business probably WILL matter in ten years. Even if it no longer exists or takes a different form, what you’re doing now can still matter for the long term.

Even after you’re no longer leading it.

That’s a powerful legacy, my friend!