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What will be your legacy? A friend of mine and NY Times best-selling author,
Tommy Spaulding, in his latest book, “The Gift of Influence,” cites a study
that determined over the course of the average lifetime we will influence,
positively or negatively, 80,000 people. Considering the average life
expectancy of 78 years, this equates to 2.8 people every day – and that’s
just the average person. It seems almost unbelievable that over the course
of a lifetime you have the opportunity to influence that many people.
80,000 people is the equivalent of the world’s largest sporting venues.
Here’s the difference, at the end of your life the 80,000 people you have
influenced and filled your stadium with won’t be there to watch a sporting
event – they will be there for you. Your stadium will be filled with people
you don’t even know and others you have had a lasting impact on. Whether
you realize it or not, 2 to 3 people are filtering into your stadium, every-
single day. The question becomes, what types of fans are filling your
stadium? Are they cheering, stomping up and down and shouting out how
great you were to them, how you helped them, how you changed their
lives? Are they silent because you were too busy looking at your phone and
didn’t see the human being standing in front of you? Or worst of all, is your
stadium is filled with people who are booing and mocking you? Are they
recounting how rude you were to them, recalling the meaningless offers to
help in times of need, or offers to get together that you never followed
through with? Are they citing disrespectful and mean-spirited comments
you posted on social media because you lacked the bravery to look them in
the eye and resolve your differences face to face? It is worth repeating to
yourself, “2 to 3 people are filling up my stadium every day, whether I
realize it or not.” And then ask yourself, “Is my stadium full of cheers, or
jeers?”
So where do you start? Consider reading Tommy’s book and begin
implementing some of the examples he shares in your own life. No time to
read a book right now, that’s okay, start simple. Smile, be kind, make good
on your offers to help someone, give a stranger a compliment or tell a
teacher at AVA how much you appreciate them. My hope is that you never
look at a sporting event the same way ever again and someday you fill your
stadium with raging fans – let this be your legacy.
As my time on the AVA Board has finally come to an end, I would be remiss if
I did not take the time to thank all the past and present Board Members, all
of our Founding Families, those who have volunteered over the years and
the countless other families who have entrusted AVA with your kid’s
education. You have made a difference and helped make AVA what it is
today.
To the Administration and Staff. There are a few words to describe the
enormous gratitude I wish to convey for your tireless efforts. You are making
a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of kids every year. You
embody what it means to be a servant leader – someone who gives with no
expectation of anything in return. Whether you know it or not your stadium
is filling up with raging fans – and I am one of them! Thank you for all that
you do.
Troy Schroeder
Board President
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