Let’s talk about something most of us avoid. The dash.
You’ve seen it before on every tombstone. There’s a name, two dates, and, in between them, a tiny line. The dash. One short mark that holds your entire life. Everything you’ve done, every person you’ve loved, every risk you took or didn’t take… it all sits right there, represented by a single stroke between your birth and death.
Now, here’s the question: what does your dash actually stand for?
It’s not exactly the kind of thing we sit down to think about over morning coffee, but maybe we should. Because while most of us are running full speed toward our next promotion, raising kids, juggling relationships, and trying to squeeze in some sleep and a decent meal, life is quietly passing. And that dash? It’s writing itself, whether we’re paying attention or not.
So, what are we even doing?
Dr. Adil Dalal, in his book A Legacy-Driven Life, offers a refreshing and, frankly, much-needed wake-up call. He posits that success and legacy aren’t necessarily the same thing. You can climb the ladder, earn the titles, get the corner office… and still feel like something’s missing.
Why?
Because if we don’t pause to choose what our dash is about, someone else will. Or worse, it’ll just end up being a string of to-do lists, meetings, and metrics no one remembers five years from now.
Living with Purpose Isn’t Just for Philosophers
Look, I get it. “Live with purpose” sounds like something you’d hear in a yoga studio or on a coffee mug. But Dr. Dalal brings it back down to earth. He isn’t asking you to quit your job, move to the mountains, and find yourself. He’s asking you to pause and think about whether your daily actions actually line up with the kind of life you want to leave behind.
What would happen if, instead of just reacting to whatever’s on the calendar, we started leading with intention?
That’s not some abstract, feel-good idea. It’s actually a practical, mindset-shifting approach to how you show up not just at work but everywhere.
Legacy Isn’t Someday, It’s Right Now
Most of us think legacy is something you worry about later. Like… retirement age later. But the truth? You’re building your legacy right now in how you lead that Monday morning team call, how you handle setbacks, and how you treat people who can’t give you anything in return.
And here’s the kicker: you don’t have to be famous, wealthy, or write a bestselling book to leave a legacy. Legacy isn’t about being known by millions. It’s about being remembered by the people who matter.
Dr. Dalal suggests legacy is built one intentional act at a time. You don’t need a master plan, just daily alignment between what you say you value and how you actually spend your time.
Easier said than done, right?
So, how do you start?
Let’s explore a few simple exercises inspired by Dr. Dalal’s framework that can help steer things back toward meaning. Don’t worry. No journaling in the woods or complicated goal sheets here. Just an honest reflection.
1. Define Your Dash in a Sentence
If someone asked you today, “What’s your life about?” could you answer without rattling off your job title?
Try this: Imagine your great-grandchild reading your eulogy one day. What would you want them to say? Not what you think they’d say now. What you hope they’d say.
Write that down. One sentence. That’s your mission.
2. Audit Your Week
Pull out your calendar. Go through last week and ask yourself how much of your time actually reflected that mission you just wrote. If you said family matters most, but you worked 80 hours and skipped every dinner… there’s a disconnect. No judgment. Just awareness.
3. Make a “Legacy List”
This isn’t a bucket list. This is about moments and actions you’d be proud to be remembered for. Mentoring a colleague. Apologizing first. Launching a project that lifts others. Start small. Legacy builds on layers.
Let Go of the Hustle Trap
We’ve all been caught in the hustle loop. It’s addictive. Society applauds it. You get dopamine hits from ticking boxes and chasing results. But at the end of the day, hustle without meaning leaves you drained and disconnected.
Dr. Dalal’s approach encourages what he calls “visionary living.” It means asking why before jumping into what. It’s not about moving slower. It’s about moving smarter, more intentionally, with your eyes on the bigger picture.
When you slow down enough to think about your legacy, you actually start making a greater impact. People notice when you show up with clarity. You inspire trust, build deeper relationships, and make decisions that last longer than the next quarter.
The Dash Is Yours to Shape
There’s something strangely empowering about realizing you’re already writing your legacy. You don’t need permission. You don’t have to wait for a midlife crisis or a spiritual retreat.
You have to look at your life and your choices and ask: Is this the story I want to leave behind?
If the answer is yes, keep going. And if it’s not? Well, you’ve got time to rewrite it. That’s the beauty of the dash. It’s still in progress.
So, go ahead and claim your purpose. One moment, one choice, one small but meaningful act at a time.
After all, when the dash is all that’s left, make sure it says something worth remembering.