Across the street from where I work, a young single dad is building a beautiful stone wall for a family living in the big brick house.

Last month he came in all excited to be selected for the job, and just happened to share with me… since I was standing at the counter. Over the last few weeks he began to dig the footing, order the stone and get started, but he seemed to take a lot of breaks and had a hard time really moving into the project….like he wasn’t sure of himself. He’d told me he’d worked for another landscape company doing the exact projects, he had his schooling and degrees, but this was his first time working solo. (and he wasn’t sure about himself. He seemed to have a lot of self doubt about his abilities)

Yet people would frequently stop by and compliment him on his work.

Today, things were really taking shape, he was laying the steps in the wall leading to the walk and porch, and the lady of the house came to tell him how nice it looked.

He came over to my side of the street to get a look at things from the distance and said it brought tears to his eyes that he actually had done that good work. He had always wanted to go on his own, but couldn’t while working for the other employer, and his mother discouraged him from going on his own. Yet in the meantime, several neighbors had come by asking him to come look at their place and help with stonework they needed done.

He already had the skill, the experience, the motivation, but lacked confidence to put it forth and begin.

I felt I needed to root him on, help propel him forward every chance I got.

It is a big ‘first project’ he tackled. It will entail a back patio too, but his ability and capability are showing and his confidence is growing.

I hope he gets lots of other good paying jobs. He is particular, does it right and has a young son to provide for.

Who do you know that needs your vote of confidence cast their way?

Cast it! The rewards will be great!!!