The first time I earned money for myself, I was ten.

There was a family with several acres of blackberry and raspberry bushes laid out in neat rows. I got paid 50 cents per green carton of blackberries, and 75 cents per carton of raspberries that I picked.

Unlimited breaks, a stand with water and soda, and all of the berries I could eat.

I quickly found that the more efficiently I worked, the greater I was rewarded. I took fewer breaks and spent more time picking than eating.

I didn't realize at the time, but it was one of my first lessons in economics and human incentives.