I had the opportunity this month to visit Poland – what a trip! Reconnecting with family, visiting the Warsaw Uprising Museum where my grandpa’s picture is posted, and touring the country – all of these contributed to an amazing experience.

Going back to our roots is an important exercise. It reminds us of our heritage and inspires us to leave a legacy for those who will come after us. Remember that we leave a footprint in our careers as well as in our personal lives; use these tips as reminders to be intentional about your professional legacy.

Clarity – Businesses aren’t the only ones that benefit from creating plans. Define your specific short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. Create a plan with clear goals and values and know which direction you are headed in so that when you look behind you can be happy with where you have been.

Consistency – You have a plan… Are you taking action toward your goals once a year, once a quarter, or once a day? Take time on a daily basis to analyze your results which builds an unbreakable pillar of skills and strengths. Review your successes and identify where you may need to improve. Then take action the very next day. Do this for all areas of your life, not just your career, and others will recognize your commitment to legacy.

Commitment – Michael Jordan practiced. And practiced. And when he was done? He practiced again. Be committed to improving your leadership skills. Learn to delegate. Communicate clearly and concisely.  You will earn the respect of your team when you show your commitment to developing your own skills.

My goal? To be able to communicate better with my family when I return to Poland (or they visit the U.S.) and advance from speaking “Ponglish” to “Polish!”