A 13 Year Old Learns What Every Adult Needs to Know
There are a few things in life that, if you can learn them when you are young, will serve you well throughout your life.
An off schedule post
This is an off-schedule post. That means something different or interesting is going on that warrants paying attention to. So, my friends, read on to find out more!
Introduction
For the most part, after graduating from High School, up until I was in my 50’s, my primary professional goal in life was to do as well as I could at my job so that I could provide for my family in the best manner possible while enjoying the ride, So that I could get promoted, so that I could be paid more, so that I could retire comfortably. So that I could write blogs when I retired. Just kidding about writing the blog part, I never envisioned myself doing this until one day when I did.
I have always enjoyed mentoring and teaching others, but I never really did it much until later in life. Since I’ve retired, er, quit going to work every day, between substitute teaching, volunteering at Overcoming Job Transition (ojttulsa.org), developing the Afterburner Success Partners Course, writing two books, and publishing three times a week blog posts, I find that my passion is teaching and helping others grow, mature, and succeed in life. Why? So they can achieve their dreams and live their best life! Of course!
A story about a boy. Who needed some money
If you are a homeowner, you know there is always something to do and always money to spend. Especially during the Spring when it’s time to plant some flowers, mulch the landscaping, and trim the bushes. Additionally, the lawn equipment needs to be tuned, and we may even need to buy some new tools. I won’t even get into school events, including graduation, weddings, and vacations.
I have some pretty big trees in my yard, and typically, in the spring, like this past spring, some of them sprout little branches from their trunks. These little branches are called epicormic sprouts. Did you know that? These little branches are also sometimes called suckers or water sprouts. Click on the link in Note 1 if you would like to learn more. Anyway, these little suckers (pun intended) are unsightly, and I like to get rid of them as much as I can. And then, there are always some dead branches that need to be cleaned out. So add trimming the little tree suckers to the list of springtime chores.
I’ve always just handled this task myself, but this year I decided to outsource it. Besides not wanting to climb up a ladder, I just happened to know a couple of grandsons who needed to earn some money. An excellent solution, if I do say so myself.
This year in April, an opportunity arose to speak with these young men at a school event I attended. I believe in paying people well, and I tip well for good service when it’s appropriate. Don’t even get me started about everyone who thinks they deserve a tip these days! OK, too late, I am going to go on about it. But I’ll save you the words here and point you to Note 2, where you can click the link to learn why everyone wants a tip today. Geez, Dave, what a grouch…
Anyway, I see the two young grandsons together and say, “I have about three hours of work that needs to be done; would either of you like to earn some money?” Immediately, the 16-year-old, who is working part-time, turns to his 13-year-old brother and says, “He wants to earn money, ask him!” Now, mind you, at this point I hadn't said what work I wanted done or how much I was willing to pay. I thought the 13-year-old might be a little young for this task because it would require climbing on a ladder and cutting branches with pruners or loppers. Then, some branches would have to be cut with a pole saw. If you’ve ever used a pole saw, you know that a pole saw helps you find muscles you never knew you had, and you get to remember this lesson for about three days after you are done. OK, well, the older one does not seem like he wants the work, so I’ll at least discuss it with the 13-year-old.
I tell him what I want done and ask if he thinks he can handle it. “Yes, I can do it!” he says, excitedly. Then I told him what I was prepared to pay for the work. I wasn't sure he heard me, as I offered him more than double what his older brother was making at his part-time job. As I said, I pay well. I then told him that I wanted to get it done within the next few days, or certainly within the next week, and asked if he would let me know when his school and sports schedule would work for him. I asked him to get back to me that day. Then we could schedule a time and day. Yes, that was great, he said; he would let me know.
Then I waited for a call or text. And waited…Hmmm.
It just so happened that I met his father for breakfast 8 days later, and I mentioned that I had never heard back from his son about the work. He was surprised, and I mentioned that if I had not heard from him that day, I would find one of the young men in my neighborhood who would like to earn that nice sum of money. I asked him to remind his son. I didn’t hear from him that day, but I did the next day, before I had a chance to find someone else, and we set a time to meet and do the work.
The gift of work
Have you ever seen the movie, The Ultimate Gift? Besides being a wonderfully entertaining movie, it’s full of important life lessons. You may be able to download one from one of your subscription services or click the link in Note 3 to buy a copy. I highly recommend it. Watch it with your teenagers or young adults and discuss the lessons afterward.
On the agreed-upon day, the 13-year-old shows up a few minutes early. Because I’m working on my computer, I see him outside my office window pull up, driven to work by his mother. We chat for a few minutes and get going. This was the first time he had ever worked for me, and I didn’t know how he would do.
I explained to him what I wanted done and how I wanted it done. I asked him if he brought gloves, as I had asked him to. No, he forgot them. Hmmm again. I gave him a pair and explained ladder and tool safety. I cautioned him about the heat and gave him a big glass of ice water. I showed him how to operate a pole saw (the manual one with a saw blade and pruning cutter, not the powered one) and gave him a few tips. I told him I thought the work would take about 3 hours and timed his scheduled arrival to when I wanted to go outside and mow the lawn, and to when he had to leave for lacrosse practice. I went back inside to finish the blog post I was writing and told him I would be out in about an hour.
An hour later, I went outside, and he was working hard. In fact, I was amazed at how much work he had done and what a great job he had done so far. Wow, this kid is off to a good start. I started mowing, and he kept working. And working and working, only stopping in the 89-degree heat to take a few drinks of water. He never sat down for the entire three hours. Now, of course, I had to take a few breaks, sitting in a lawn chair I put out for him. He kept working. No cell phone, no stopping. Turns out, he told me, that holding up a pole saw is a lot like holding up a lacrosse stick (called a crosse, from the French term la crosse), so it was not too hard for him at all. Well, how about that! Who knew?
At one point, he needed some help getting some branches that were difficult to cut with the pole saw but could be reached with the ladder. I retrieved my handheld tree saw and held the ladder for him. My wife wanted to know why I was making him cut the branch with the tree saw when I have a 6” battery-powered hand chainsaw that would cut it lickety-split. I mentioned that I wanted him to learn how to do it with a tree saw; this was about the lesson, not getting it done quickly. She frowned at me, turned around, and left. He then learned how to position the ladder to cut a big branch without it falling on you. Also, how to position yourself so you are not looking into the sun when working. How to prevent the saw from binding. How to have a buddy hold the ladder for you so you don’t fall and get hurt.
Going to school. And getting paid for it
After three hours, it was time to leave for lacrosse practice, and of course, it was time to get paid. He was red and sweating when I asked him if he remembered how much he had agreed to work for. No, he had not. Hmmm, the third time. So I reminded him of the hourly rate and asked him what the total was for three hours of work. As I counted the money and placed it in his hand, I gave him more than the agreed-upon amount and asked if he knew why. No was the answer. So I told him. Now, remember, he had never worked for me, and I was not sure what to expect, what kind of work he would do, or if it was too much for a slightly built 13-year-old. Here is what I told him:
You showed up on time, early, in fact
You worked very hard, not goofing off or looking at your cell phone, giving me excellent value for your wage
You did very high-quality work. The trees were neatly trimmed, and you raked and bagged all the branches
When you do your work in this manner, you have an opportunity to earn a bonus
Then I told him that the extra money was a bonus for his good work. He had established a good reputation with me as someone who arrived on time, worked hard, and did a good job. Not only would I hire him again, but I would also recommend him to others. I then went on to explain one more thing:
Today, you established a good reputation for yourself. Your reputation is your most important asset in life,
and if you keep your good reputation, you will always do well in life and be successful
Savoring the moment
I was very pleased with how well that worked out, and we both had a great day that day. Yes, we were both hot and tired. He was very happy with how much money he earned, and it was a wonderful moment. I decided that he had learned a lot today. The one lesson I didn’t teach him was the importance of follow-up communication and listening carefully. You will recall he neglected to call me as he said he would, and he had forgotten the agreed-upon wage and to bring his work gloves. These are important things to remember. But I thought, that’s a lesson for another day. No sense in ruining the moment.
Summary
The 13-year-old grandson learned some important life lessons that day. Many adults don’t understand the importance of showing up to work on time, giving their employer their best, and doing a quality job so they can earn a bonus or perhaps a promotion. I should also add that working in this manner reduces the risk of being fired or laid off and increases career opportunities. The young man learned, again, what many adults do not know: the value of his reputation, the most important asset a person can have, and that, once spoiled, is very hard to get back.
On this day, he came to earn some money. Yes, I needed some branches trimmed, but more importantly, I wanted to teach him some important life lessons. I’m pretty sure he didn't know he was actually in school that day. That’s fine, but I hope he remembers these important lessons for the rest of his life.
That’s all for today!
Let’s help our friends and loved ones, shall we?
If you find the information in this post useful or enjoyable, please forward it to those you care about.
Then, simply say, “Search the internet for Afterburner Success Partners
to learn how to achieve your dreams and live your best life!”
Life Lessons
Afterburner Success Partners
What’s in it for Me
The best thing you can do to live your best life is to be in control of it. That means having a realistic plan and executing it. I hope you have not experienced, and do not experience, any of the conditions I described above. In some cases, it may take professional help, but if you desire to overcome any adverse effects of these issues, you are on the road to bettering yourself.
Call to Action
What do you need to do today?
Recommended Resources
Click the links in the notes below and read them. Buy and read Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi (Note 4). Take the course, it’s a very inexpensive investment in yourself.
Up Next
Back to regular posting schedule.
Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
Tree Suckers: Understanding Epicormic Sprouts, Southern Botanical: https://southernbotanical.com/the-benchmark/tree-suckers-understanding-epicormic-sprouts/
To tip or not to tip?3 reasons why tipping has gotten so out of control, NPR: https://www.npr.org/2023/07/05/1185160295/tipping-coffee-consumer-spending-inflation-tips
The Ultimate Gift includes The Ultimate Life and Ultimate Legacy:https://amzn.to/43cS8lA
Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/3IxEFgy
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us, by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/437OhVQ