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Life Word: Discover Your One Word to Leave a Legacy
Discover your Life Word! In One Word that will Change your Life authors Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page helped readers discover their yearly word to live with more intention, focus and purpose. Now with Life Word they help listeners discover a word that will significantly impact their life and legacy. Life Word reveals a simple, powerful tool to help you identify the word that will inspire you to live your best life while leaving your greatest legacy. In the process you'll discover your why which will help show you the way to live with a renewed sense of power, purpose and passion. The authors walk you step-by-step through the process of discovering your Life Word and share an action plan with the most successful ways to live and share it. If you're ready to live with more clarity, confidence and courage and leave a lasting legacy, let's get started!
Audiobook
Published January 1, 2017
24 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
Jon Gordon
155 books687 followersJon Gordon is an American business consultant and author on the topics of leadership, culture, sales, and teamwork.
Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish, Soup, The Seed and his latest The Positive Dog. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Novartis, Bayer and more.
Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.
When he's not running through airports or speaking, you can find him playing tennis or lacrosse with his wife and two "high energy" children.
You can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage
Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish, Soup, The Seed and his latest The Positive Dog. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Novartis, Bayer and more.
Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.
When he's not running through airports or speaking, you can find him playing tennis or lacrosse with his wife and two "high energy" children.
You can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 15, 2024
This was our optional District read for 2020-2021.
Look, let's get one big stumbling block for me out of the way: as a reflective person, I appreciate the idea of thinking about your legacy and identifying how you will want to be remembered. I question, though, selecting a book for staff to read in a lethal pandemic and social unrest year that asks you to think about the word that you will put on your tombstone. Is this the book's fault, though? No, but legacy can be thought of without thinking about your tombstone, so I'll let some blame slip through.
Regardless, it still amazes me that this One Word self-help empire has been built on such slim, vapid books. In less than 90 pages we get some empty platitudes and simple questions to reflect on before being once again sent off to "wait" for God to place your Life Word in your heart. I am a faithful man, but I question a self-improvement plan that consistently ends on "wait for God to put the word inside you."
Hopefully, next year we get to read something different than another One Word piece!
In case you're wondering, my Life Word that I chose (I got tired of waiting in the cave for it to come to me through God's plan) is: Story-teller.
Look, let's get one big stumbling block for me out of the way: as a reflective person, I appreciate the idea of thinking about your legacy and identifying how you will want to be remembered. I question, though, selecting a book for staff to read in a lethal pandemic and social unrest year that asks you to think about the word that you will put on your tombstone. Is this the book's fault, though? No, but legacy can be thought of without thinking about your tombstone, so I'll let some blame slip through.
Regardless, it still amazes me that this One Word self-help empire has been built on such slim, vapid books. In less than 90 pages we get some empty platitudes and simple questions to reflect on before being once again sent off to "wait" for God to place your Life Word in your heart. I am a faithful man, but I question a self-improvement plan that consistently ends on "wait for God to put the word inside you."
Hopefully, next year we get to read something different than another One Word piece!
In case you're wondering, my Life Word that I chose (I got tired of waiting in the cave for it to come to me through God's plan) is: Story-teller.
January 1, 2020
This is the second book in the One Word series. I have found One Word helped focus me when I was intentional about the use of it. This takes one word to a whole new level. My favorite paragraph refers to another favorite motivational author, Ken Blanchard. It states, "Ken Blanchard summarized it best: "The journey of life is to move from a self-serving heart to a serving heart. You finally become an adult when you realize that life is about what you give, rather than what you get." This is a book I will ponder for awhile.
January 4, 2017
Who am I Made to be? Why am I here? What Energizes me?
I'm not sure I've ever really thought about these questions -- is it too late? -- I'm 58 -- what's left to work with? Should I now embark on seeking answers and finding a "life word" or will I just be looking at what could have, should have been? How does one get to this age and realize that life came year by year, leaving little time or space to plan how to live it intentionally?
"Far too few people live in the present with the future in mind."
"Legacy is all about people. It's defined by what you leave behind that lives on in others. Each one of us plays a number of roles in life and every role matters...Ultimately, the value of your life and your legacy is revealed in the stories that those who were most important to you—those who knew you best—will tell."
"Ken Blanchard summarizes it best: “The journey of life is to move from a self-serving heart to a serving heart. You finally become an adult when you realize that life is about what you give, rather than what you get.”"
Purpose of "life word" = direction and drive, mission and meaning
"Some qualities you are naturally born with'we call these “gifts.” Others are developed over time with effort and experience'we call these “strengths.”"
Define your Power: What do you naturally excel at? What unique characteristics describe how you are naturally wired? What strengths have you developed over time? What gives you joy when you do it?
Power: I have the power of believing, learning, intuiting, organizing, creating, writing, empathizing, and bouncing back
live on purpose every day
a sense of calling and investing in a cause
"Calling is when you have a sense of “I'm made for this!” It's when you find the thing to do that makes you feel most alive. Your Cause is found when you're able to say, “I'm moved to do something about this!”"
"Living on purpose is about investing your life in the things that matter most so that you live a life of mission and meaning."
Determine your Purpose: What does the world need? What am I made to do to help fill this need? What can I do to make a difference and leave a positive mark? What breaks my heart? What's at risk if I don't do what I am called to do?
Am I a wife or am I my husband's helpmate?
Am I a teacher of English or am I an English teacher for my students?
Am I a co-worker or am I my co-workers' partner?
"Your purpose is ultimately something that frees you, challenges you, inspires you, and gives you a sense of mission and meaning. It's found by doing the things that make you feel most alive."
So my purpose is to be my husband's helpmate, and my students' teacher, and my co-workers' partner.
Or
My purpose is to be a helpmate to my husband, a teacher to my students, and a partner to my co-workers.
"When passion is directed productively for the benefit of others, it can change the world for the better; it can give you the fuel you need to overcome obstacles and challenges, rebound from disappointment of failure, and fulfill your God-given purposes. Passion is filled with optimism and belief."
"Passion is often driven by your conviction and energized by emotion. But passion is always about helping others and making a positive impact."
Discover your Passion: Where do I invest most of my time, energy, and money? What matters to me deeply? What energizes me to take action and motivates me to make a difference?
I'm passionate about learning how to do what I do better. Is that passion that leads to purpose?
"When your Life Word comes to you, it may be an action word, character trait, virtue, attribute, or even a value."
"For those near the “half-way” point on your journey, this focus may be just what you need to reorient, reprioritize, and reinvest your time, energy, and resources around the things that matter most! It may also reinforce the path you are on! But be careful not to get bogged down with a sense of what could've or should've been; instead, put the past behind you, learn from it, and move on with a sense of renewed purpose and energy."
"And for those in the “fourth quarter” of life, this focus will help you maximize your wealth of life experience and pass on wisdom to the next generation. It may even help you repair relationships, overcome regrets, and finish strong. Use your renewed sense of urgency to focus and fuel you to make a difference for others. Right now, you may just be positioned to do the greatest good as you run with endurance and finish the race!"
I'm not sure I've ever really thought about these questions -- is it too late? -- I'm 58 -- what's left to work with? Should I now embark on seeking answers and finding a "life word" or will I just be looking at what could have, should have been? How does one get to this age and realize that life came year by year, leaving little time or space to plan how to live it intentionally?
"Far too few people live in the present with the future in mind."
"Legacy is all about people. It's defined by what you leave behind that lives on in others. Each one of us plays a number of roles in life and every role matters...Ultimately, the value of your life and your legacy is revealed in the stories that those who were most important to you—those who knew you best—will tell."
"Ken Blanchard summarizes it best: “The journey of life is to move from a self-serving heart to a serving heart. You finally become an adult when you realize that life is about what you give, rather than what you get.”"
Purpose of "life word" = direction and drive, mission and meaning
"Some qualities you are naturally born with'we call these “gifts.” Others are developed over time with effort and experience'we call these “strengths.”"
Define your Power: What do you naturally excel at? What unique characteristics describe how you are naturally wired? What strengths have you developed over time? What gives you joy when you do it?
Power: I have the power of believing, learning, intuiting, organizing, creating, writing, empathizing, and bouncing back
live on purpose every day
a sense of calling and investing in a cause
"Calling is when you have a sense of “I'm made for this!” It's when you find the thing to do that makes you feel most alive. Your Cause is found when you're able to say, “I'm moved to do something about this!”"
"Living on purpose is about investing your life in the things that matter most so that you live a life of mission and meaning."
Determine your Purpose: What does the world need? What am I made to do to help fill this need? What can I do to make a difference and leave a positive mark? What breaks my heart? What's at risk if I don't do what I am called to do?
Am I a wife or am I my husband's helpmate?
Am I a teacher of English or am I an English teacher for my students?
Am I a co-worker or am I my co-workers' partner?
"Your purpose is ultimately something that frees you, challenges you, inspires you, and gives you a sense of mission and meaning. It's found by doing the things that make you feel most alive."
So my purpose is to be my husband's helpmate, and my students' teacher, and my co-workers' partner.
Or
My purpose is to be a helpmate to my husband, a teacher to my students, and a partner to my co-workers.
"When passion is directed productively for the benefit of others, it can change the world for the better; it can give you the fuel you need to overcome obstacles and challenges, rebound from disappointment of failure, and fulfill your God-given purposes. Passion is filled with optimism and belief."
"Passion is often driven by your conviction and energized by emotion. But passion is always about helping others and making a positive impact."
Discover your Passion: Where do I invest most of my time, energy, and money? What matters to me deeply? What energizes me to take action and motivates me to make a difference?
I'm passionate about learning how to do what I do better. Is that passion that leads to purpose?
"When your Life Word comes to you, it may be an action word, character trait, virtue, attribute, or even a value."
"For those near the “half-way” point on your journey, this focus may be just what you need to reorient, reprioritize, and reinvest your time, energy, and resources around the things that matter most! It may also reinforce the path you are on! But be careful not to get bogged down with a sense of what could've or should've been; instead, put the past behind you, learn from it, and move on with a sense of renewed purpose and energy."
"And for those in the “fourth quarter” of life, this focus will help you maximize your wealth of life experience and pass on wisdom to the next generation. It may even help you repair relationships, overcome regrets, and finish strong. Use your renewed sense of urgency to focus and fuel you to make a difference for others. Right now, you may just be positioned to do the greatest good as you run with endurance and finish the race!"
October 19, 2023
The authors life Word he chose is "inspiration."
He then went to give inspirational stories of Bethany Hamilton, a 30 year old long distance runner and asked more then once, "what brings you joy?"
The thing that brings me joy is eating tacos, reading Calvin and Hobbes, going for walks and talking to my son.
I would choose "Father," as my life Word.
I am inspired by my Heavenly father who had blessed, provided and loved me so much.
I am inspired by my Indian father. If it were not for him, I would be homeless.
And I have a job and work that I do for him that brings joy.. and wealth.
But last, my greatest dream is to be a father to my son. To be in his life and be the best father that I can be.
He then went to give inspirational stories of Bethany Hamilton, a 30 year old long distance runner and asked more then once, "what brings you joy?"
The thing that brings me joy is eating tacos, reading Calvin and Hobbes, going for walks and talking to my son.
I would choose "Father," as my life Word.
I am inspired by my Heavenly father who had blessed, provided and loved me so much.
I am inspired by my Indian father. If it were not for him, I would be homeless.
And I have a job and work that I do for him that brings joy.. and wealth.
But last, my greatest dream is to be a father to my son. To be in his life and be the best father that I can be.
August 21, 2019
I choose a word to focus on yearly, and it has made a big difference in my life. This broadens that perspective, which I appreciate, but it didn't offer much more insight other than your life should have a purpose. If choosing a word helps you to prioritize and balance, that is a great thing. This is a good idea, there just wasn't a ton of substance to the book.
September 4, 2018
I do a yearly One Word but this takes it to a broader level that can define what you are about. Your personal brand, if you will. The steps are easy to follow and it is worth the time to do them and find your life word. Mine is Better!
October 11, 2023
There is more than one way to find out what one is born to do in life. This books shows one of them. At least it makes one to do some thinking about their inner world and help discover themselves. I would recommend it for those who are trying to figure out who they are at the first place.
February 28, 2018
Short, simple, and super important. Living with power, purpose, passion...how different the world would be if we focused on these goals.
January 4, 2019
Just as good as the first find your life word.
Just as good as the first. Find your life word
Just as good as the first. Find your life word
October 13, 2023
Great motivational book
February 17, 2024
Short book with big impact lesson. Powerful thought behind this book. Enjoyable.
March 8, 2017
Listened to this as AMazon Prime offering. Well worth a listen/read! Will listen again! The word nerd in me especially loves this concept. Not sure what my life word is but good concepts shared within!!
January 2, 2017
This is a very short quick read but it will make a big impact. It isn't a revolutionary concept, it just helps you to focus on your strengths and joys to help you become a better version of yourself. Once I found my word, the next day that I was doing something and it didn't relate to my word, I moved on to doing something that did. Helps to provide better focus and clarity on what really matters.
February 7, 2017
This book actually is able to stand on its own and it is a short read. It also works well as a companion book with the previous work. The message is simple and straightforward. I rather enjoyed the book.
December 20, 2017
I greatly appreciate books that don't ramble. This is a small book with the potential to help you discover your legacy. Read it!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews