My sweet little boy Caleb is going to be turning 7 on December 13, 2008 and already has experienced some awesome things. Today marks a very special day in the life of Caleb. Today, Caleb started his first real job and absolutely loves it. We traditionally will play baseball, football, and ride our scooters in downtown St. Petersburg everyday on the weeks that he is with me. We always have a blast hanging out downtown, whether it’s playing ball, climbing trees, rocking in the rocking chair on the front porch of the Vinoy, or riding our scooters all over the place. However, one of our absolute favorite things to do is stop by Hooker Tea and enjoy a cup of tea. The owners, Shawn Hooker and Kendra, are some amazing people and have become close friends of mine. I’m a huge tea drinker and have over 32 different kinds of loose leaf tea but still enjoy the whole culture and atmosphere of Hooker Tea. Caleb has even gotten to the place where he wants to go to drink tea on a daily basis and loves to visit Hooker Tea. Well, a few nights ago, the owner, Kendra, offered Caleb a job and asked him if he would like to start work at the Hooker on a part time basis. Caleb was beyond excited and could hardly wait to get started. Caleb loves to work and has an awesome work ethic. I’m so happy that he is learning work ethic, money management, and discipline at a young age. Tonight, Caleb started his first day at work and did an awesome job. He helped fold towels, clean, and did whatever needed to be done. Before he started his first day on the job, daddy gave him some practical advice and told him that he needed to remember 4 things while he was working:1. Caleb, Always Work Hard –
I’ve always believed that work was a gift from God and that when we are working, we should
work. I’ve learned that if you work while you work, you’ll be able to accomplish so much more and actually learn to love it. I’m all for enjoying your job, having personality, and enjoying whatever kind of atmosphere your job creates. However, I wanted Caleb to know that if he is going to work a job that I wanted him to be a hard worker. Well, did he ever follow that advice and worked his little heart out. Son, you’ll feel so strong and great when you put in a hard day’s work. Caleb, people that are lazy end up jobless and miss out on a lot of blessings and joys of life. I told Caleb that I wanted him to work with passion and put his whole heart into it. Boy did he ever! I was so proud to watch him work hard tonight.2. Caleb, Have a Positive Attitude –
Son, it’s important that you always have a positive attitude about your job. I shared stories with him about people that love their work, and their attitude shows, as well as those who complain and are always negative about their job or boss. I wanted Caleb to know that having a positive attitude will generate energy and even cause you to get promotions in life. My advice was, Caleb, use words such as, “Yes!”, “Absolutely!”, “Sure!”, “Consider it done!”, and “My pleasure!” Son, never use the words, “No Problem” or “I guess,” but rather be super positive and energetic about your work. Caleb, people always want to be around someone that is positive and full of life. Son, it’s important that you speak positive about your boss, employees, and your job. Even if there are things you are asked to do that you don’t like, focus on the positive, and count it a blessing to have a job.
3. Caleb, Always Work with Excellence –
My third piece of advice was to always go the extra mile, and do more than what is asked of you. H
is first task was to fold towels; he folded them nearly perfect. Kendra was so impressed with his ability to neatly and perfectly fold the towels. I told him that I would show him how to do it right and that if he would focus and discipline himself to always do it right and with excellence, he would feel better about his work and get more done in the long run. He learned how to fold the towels perfectly, and I watched him re-fold three of them, because they weren’t excellent. It’s a very awesome trait to have. Caleb, being average is a curse, and it’s always best to do your work with absolute excellence. Son, do your best and always go the extra mile. Ask for extra work, come in early, stay later, and never cheat, cut corners or do sloppy work. I told little Caleb that he wouldn’t want to have a barely get by mentality, and that is why I make him put his clothes in the basket, put away his shoes neatly, and apply excellence in his school, sports, and now his first job.
4. Caleb, Be Thankful for Your Job –
Son, as you grow through life, it’s very important that you practice being really thankful. It may not even be the “perfect” job, and you may not make as much money as you would like; however, if you will be thankful, then you’ll feel better, and God will bless you with more. Work will actually become fun and be viewed as a blessing when you are thankful.
Caleb, make sure that you tell Kendra thank you for hiring you and for the opportunity to work. Bosses and business owners love having people work for them that are thankful. God and life have a special way of rewarding and promoting people that are thankful. It’s important that you
are thankful for your job and your customers. Son, always say thank you to the people that come into the Tea Shop, and show your appreciation for them. If you make them feel special, then they’ll surely come back, and you’ll keep your job.
Needless to say, I’m a super proud father and am very happy that my son is blessed with his first job. He absolutely is on cloud nine, won’t stop talking about it, called all our family, told all his friends, and feels very blessed to have a job, especially since every night that he works, he is handed an envelope with his name on it, with a crisp $5.00 bill inside and also gets a free cup of tea. It actually builds his self esteem, teaches him excellent habits, and now he’ll learn how to manage his money. So, Caleb, what are you going to do with your money? I was very proud to hear him tell me that he was going to tithe first and save it. On Monday, I’m taking him to the bank and am going to get him a debit card with his name on it, linked to my account. I am teaching him to save, budget, and properly spend his money. I’m looking forward to watching my son continue to learn, grow, and enjoy his little life. He is a very happy kid and has an amazing positive attitude.
Matt Maddix
Son, as you grow through life, it’s very important that you practice being really thankful. It may not even be the “perfect” job, and you may not make as much money as you would like; however, if you will be thankful, then you’ll feel better, and God will bless you with more. Work will actually become fun and be viewed as a blessing when you are thankful.
Caleb, make sure that you tell Kendra thank you for hiring you and for the opportunity to work. Bosses and business owners love having people work for them that are thankful. God and life have a special way of rewarding and promoting people that are thankful. It’s important that you
are thankful for your job and your customers. Son, always say thank you to the people that come into the Tea Shop, and show your appreciation for them. If you make them feel special, then they’ll surely come back, and you’ll keep your job.Needless to say, I’m a super proud father and am very happy that my son is blessed with his first job. He absolutely is on cloud nine, won’t stop talking about it, called all our family, told all his friends, and feels very blessed to have a job, especially since every night that he works, he is handed an envelope with his name on it, with a crisp $5.00 bill inside and also gets a free cup of tea. It actually builds his self esteem, teaches him excellent habits, and now he’ll learn how to manage his money. So, Caleb, what are you going to do with your money? I was very proud to hear him tell me that he was going to tithe first and save it. On Monday, I’m taking him to the bank and am going to get him a debit card with his name on it, linked to my account. I am teaching him to save, budget, and properly spend his money. I’m looking forward to watching my son continue to learn, grow, and enjoy his little life. He is a very happy kid and has an amazing positive attitude.
Matt Maddix
mattmaddix.com
