Why every man must start thinking about the next 100 Years

Uffizi Gallery.

Years later, I felt a similar stir while visiting the Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. Built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet II, the one who brought Constantinople into a new era, the mosque sits on what was once the Church of the Holy Apostles—the final resting place of Byzantine emperors. In placing his mark there, Fatih Sultan Mehmet wasn’t erasing history. He was continuing it. With humility and courage, he shaped a new chapter for his people.

Two places. Two legacies. One quiet lesson: the most meaningful lives aren’t defined by what they own, but by what they leave behind.

A Gentle Wake-Up Call

Here in Malaysia, we have so much potential. And yet, too often, we find ourselves caught in the fast lane of consumption. Many of us strive for the next watch, the next wealth building opportunities, the next status symbol. That in itself isn’t wrong—we all want a good life. But if we only chase what glitters, we risk forgetting what truly matters.

We scroll endlessly.

We dress the part.

We curate the perfect social media moment.

But how many of us are thinking 100 years ahead?

How many are building something that will last beyond our lifetimes?

This isn’t meant to scold, but to invite reflection—from one imperfect man to another.

Legacy isn’t about being rich or famous. It’s about being intentional. It’s about choosing to build, even if your tools are modest.

A teacher who lights the fire of curiosity in his students.

A father who raises his children with empathy and grit.

A man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a young boy's shoulders to let him know that the world hadn't ended.

These are legacies, just as powerful as any painting in a gallery or stone laid in a mosque.

So where might we begin?

1. Legacy in Family

Our homes are our first schools. Our children are watching, always. Not just what we say, but how we live.

Legacy here is about presence. It's about teaching our children how to think, not just what to think. It’s about being brave enough to admit when we’re wrong, and strong enough to show grace when we’re right.

2. Legacy in Business

More and more, we’re taught to focus on personal branding. But what about building something that’s bigger than ourselves?

Whether you lead a team of two or two hundred, your legacy isn’t just in your revenue. It’s in how you treat people. In the culture you create. In whether your business or community stand as a force for good.

Let your company be the kind that people speak of with respect, long after you’ve moved on.

3. Legacy in Culture and Faith

Culture is fragile. Faith, too, can fade if not lived with sincerity.

So let’s ask: What are we preserving? What are we passing on? Every culture fades unless there are men who choose to protect and refine it. Read. Write. Support art. Uphold faith not just in rituals, but in action. And don’t just preach values—design your life around them.

We need modern Medici. We need new Fatihs. Not in castles or conquest, but in character and contribution.

Fatih Mosque in Istanbul.

What Does This Look Like?

Maybe it’s starting a small scholarship. Writing down your family history for the next generation. Mentoring someone who reminds you of your younger self. Building a digital library for your family's heritage. Choosing simplicity, so you can give more. Founding a trust not for luxury, but for good.

None of these things need headlines. That’s the point.

A Quiet Truth

There’s an old saying: men who live only for themselves die twice—once when they stop breathing, and again when their name is forgotten.

But those who live for something greater? They linger on—in memories, in values, in institutions that outlast them.

So maybe the question isn’t, “What should I wear next month?” Maybe it’s, “What will my name mean in a hundred years?”

Legacy, after all, isn’t built in one day. But it can start today—with a small, sincere step.

And that, dear reader, is the real gentleman’s code.

“For my beloved mama, who waited outside the Uffizi Gallery and walked with me through Florence and Istanbul — your quiet love made all this possible. Al-fatihah”