By Jennifer Openshaw
Fulfillment. It’s something we all want; but not everyone achieves.
A study by psychologists Doris Baumann and Professor Willibald Ruch finds that pursuing fulfillment is not a luxury, but essential for our mental health.
So how do we achieve it?
Real fulfillment, according to the study, is a long-lasting internal sense of wholeness, in which we find value in recognizing our personal impact on the world around us.
It’s about experiencing the impact – and knowing how your dollars or actions are moving the needle on the things you care about: lives, the planet, food security, for example.
We know people care – over $450 billion is donated annually to charitable organizations by both companies and individuals. But, if fulfillment and that “do-good” feeling is what people are searching for, how much of that is really realized with a donation? There is truly so much to be felt when you see the impact you are making.
Two years ago, I sat down over lunch with Elisa (Gabelli) Wilson, head of the Gabelli Foundation. I casually shared a new concept to “adopt-a-school”: People like Ms. Wilson could sponsor the Girls With Impact program at their alma mater so that under-served young women could have access to this extra-curricular leadership programming.
It would bring access to an opportunity under-resourced families — even those at private schools — could not afford.
As I explained, girls work on real business projects after school. Guided by MBA instructors, they bring an idea to life and learn business fundamentals – like marketing, money and public speaking.
But the program’s power goes well beyond just the projects they develop – it’s about igniting these young women in ways not even imaginable, building confidence and helping them to see a new future for themselves.
Ms. Wilson was quick to respond, recalling the impact of her education at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, an all-girls school nearby. “I’d like to sponsor the school I attended,” she said.
I was excited, but still, I knew she had to see – experience – how her support would change lives. Pursuing fulfillment in something important demands that you see the fruits of your labor.
Two weeks ago, 10 high school women from Ursuline – ranging in ages from 14 -17 – graduated from the Girls With Impact Business & Leadership Academy. Joined by parents and the head of school, these young women unveiled their ventures. Their parents beamed as they watched their child unveil impressive presentations featuring sophisticated concepts like “customer personas,” “profit and loss,” and “brand perception maps”.
It was clear that Ms. Wilson’s impact went beyond a simple donation.
As we kicked off the graduation, each girl shared the impact of the program, thanking Ms. Wilson.
“I learned so much about business and how to bring my idea to life,” said Sarah, who created a business, She Can Carry, to bring more women into the golf business through her caddy training program.
“The program has impacted me in so many ways. I will be able to apply these leadership, entrepreneurial and teamwork skills I learned into college and into the future,” said Ofure.
“I want to thank Ms. Wilson for enabling us to become successful leaders through this program,” said Maeve.
Not only are these young women better prepared for the real world, but Ms. Wilson — through her support — has seen the impact that will surely contribute to her personal fulfillment. And guess what, the world’s a better place because of it.
