this is actually quite hard to define for me. it's something about having the creative freedom to decide on the solution to a problem, and then also the satisf

this is actually quite hard to define for me. it's something about having the creative freedom to decide on the solution to a problem, and then also the satisfaction of building it out into something which works, works well and then benefits others. along that path of [requirements -> design -> implement -> test -> release] there are numerous rewarding moments but when the whole thing comes together, there's another meta-reward of knowing that there now exists something where there was not before, and that I created that thing. Quite often, entirely. Another level of this, is satisfaction in colleagues taking components/services/entire systems I've constructed and adapting, extending, changing them to do more than I thought possible. Also, seeing colleagues start their own components/services/systems in the pattern/design of something I did, and making a success of it. After a while, it's like seeing an entire ecosystem spring up around seeds I created. However, to translate that into what it really is - the team I work with manages to build an actually useful product that real people use and enjoy using. I find that highly rewarding.