In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

I worked as a grantwriter for a wonderful arts school for many years. It was not a full-time gig. I was a contractor/consultant. We needed to raise $12 million for a new theater building. Financing for the entire $20+ million project was dependent on us raising our share. The school badly needed this new theater building, which also would house several state-of-the-art music and dance studios. The old theater was more than fifty years old and had no orchestra pit or air conditioning.

It was 2008 and the economy was terrible—the Great Recession. We were having a difficult time getting that capital campaign going. I worked very hard to bring in a large state grant to get us started. When we finally got the grant, it was exhilarating. I remember we jumped around and screamed when we got the good news.

Here I am with two dear colleagues holding the big celebratory check. That was a great day and definitely one of my most fulfilling moments at work.