Why do you do what you do?

Forget fundraising for a second. Let’s talk about you.

Why do you do what you do?

What brought you into this line of work?

Why do you keep logging on day after day?

In our work, it’s easy to get cynical — to lose the vision we once had. We look at spreadsheets and powerpoint decks. We go to meetings. We try to hit budgets. But why?

Why do you do what you do?

A close friend of mine recently passed away suddenly. He was notoriously optimistic, a stark contrast with most politicos in D.C.  He sometimes had pointy elbows (as DC politicos do), but he always had a grin and a bigger purpose. He was in touch with himself — and why he was doing what he was doing.

In memory of Jake and to honor my own purpose, I’m going to ask myself this question more frequently. Hell, I’m going to post it in front of my computer. Why am I doing this? Why does this matter?