6 Things I Wish I'd Known 20 Years Ago

While I can't share the six things I wish I'd known then with myself, I can give them to you. Here are the six lessons I have learned over the years — and find myself learning over and over again. They are simple but also powerful. And oh-so-easy to forget.

1. What I wish I had known about fundraising: We're in the happiness business. Giving makes people feel joy — and brain science proves it. The act of contributing to charity activates the pleasure centers of people's brains. When we give people the opportunity to help our wonderful causes, we make them happy. Remember: We're not in the business of taking away money; we're in the business of giving joy. What a great job we have.