We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic come from? Is it something we learn from our parents, or are we born with it? Do our friends, work environment or the city we reside in impact it? We asked some of the hardest working folks we know to share where they think they get their work ethic from.
Lizzie Lewis
My strong work ethic is deeply rooted in my family values. Growing up, my parents exemplified tireless dedication, instilling in us the importance of hard work from an early age. My father’s venture into running a restaurant became a family affair, with each of my siblings and me taking on our first jobs there. Read more>>
Nick Kauffman
I think I get my work ethic partially from things my dad would tell me when I was a kid. He’d tell me that whatever i did in life I needed to be the best. That if I wasn’t the best I wasn’t gonna make it in that field. Following this advice definitely helped me build a strong work ethic but I think it’s also dangerous to be so easily over worked. I have a hard time taking days off when I know I could be working in the studio. The FOMO is real in the music industry. Read more>>
Sonya Sklaroff
I’ve always felt a strong drive to excel—whether it’s creating better paintings, mastering compositions, succeeding in school, or absorbing as much knowledge as possible. However, it wasn’t until I took on a traditional office job after finishing art school that I realized how crucial it was for me to actively create. The corporate environment didn’t suit me, and I recognized that being my own boss and working with my hands was essential for my happiness. Read more>>
Carolina Cerisola
I got my work ethics at young age athletic though training and discipline as a Rhythmic Gymnast competitor representing my country. Read more>>
Kentrell & Sharon Thomas
We get our work ethic from our parents. They worked everyday to provide for our families. Read more>>
Sean Atkins
My parents, both of whom were government employees, instilled in me what it was like to have a routine, put in the work, and be professional (and respectful) to everyone I encountered. Read more>>
Shannon Nelson
My work ethic comes from my mom. I’ve seen her work hard all of my life and she has had multiple businesses throughout the years and that has always inspired me to become my own boss and go after my dreams. Read more>>
Zachery Sutton
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing. Growing up in the challenging environment of the inner city, surrounded by low-income housing and witnessing tragic events, I battled depression and yearned for an escape from my circumstances. Determined to break free, I made a personal commitment to work tirelessly, vowing never to endure those conditions again. My primary motivation was to ensure that my children wouldn’t face the hardships and witness the struggles that marked my own childhood. Read more>>
Brandon Champ Robinson
Being a young black male raised in the inner city of Milwaukee, WI, we always have the same origin story, so I won’t bore you with that part. I’ve always had a solid work ethic, but I kicked it into a new gear in 2012. I had to have neurosurgery to clean up an Arteoveniouns Malformation, otherwise known as an AVM. This procedure was supposed to take 2 hours. I was under for 8. Read more>>
Leah Varney
I would have to say I get my work ethic from my mother. As a kid, I always observed her working her tail off to provide for my brother and I. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up but she still always managed to put food on the table. Due to her having to work, I had to grow up fast and become independent at a young age. I babysat on weekends and got my work permit as soon as I was able and been pretty much non stop working since then! Read more>>
Antwon Brinson
As a child, I had the privilege of witnessing my mother’s incredible dedication to foster care despite the constant pain caused by a herniated disc in her back. I can vividly recall those moments when I would observe her struggling with a hunched posture and difficulty in movement due to a car accident-related injury she had endured years ago. Read more>>
Anthony Daniels
I get my work ethic from my mother. I’ve seen her work relentlessly, primarily in management positions through out her life. I pattern my work ethic after her but I am intentional in making sure I rest and have some time for myself. I translate my work ethic with how I take photos. I heavily enjoy taking photos at events such as birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, anniversaries, etc. and I make sure I try to capture every memorable moment as possible. Read more>>
Darrell Smith
I get my work ethic from my late Uncle Hezekiah and I developed it further by playing football. I learned so much about commitment, consistency and working hard from playing the sport. I believe that sports teach us the fundamentals of life. Like the football field was my workplace, my teammates where my co-workers, my coaches where my managers and motivators, and we all had a position to play that supported the team collectively. There was no room or place for selfish people. Read more>>
JR deSouza
Athletics. I grew up as a competitive swimmer, competing at the state, then national levels, eventually moving to the United States to train. By my collegiate years I was competing internationally and reached the Olympic finals and a world championship and world record. The disciplined journey along the way became the foundation for my life and work ethic. Read more>>
Lauren Golden
Both of my parents modeled hard work. My mom was the silent, unpaid labor force, but her involvement in my life and the community spoke volumes in terms of commitment and service. My dad, an entrepreneur, modeled problem-solving, resilience, exceeding expectations, professionalism, and trustworthiness. Equally as important, both of them also modeled self-care… getting enough rest, taking time off, having hobbies they enjoyed, and moving their bodies. They were and continue to be great role models and I’m fortunate that these things are second nature to me because they raised me as such! Read more>>
Shakira Miller
I got my work ethic from my mom and myself I watch my mom work as an independent women. She showed me you can have anything you want in life you just have to work hard towards it. If you really want it you work hard towards it. Read more>>
Alice Esposito
I got it from my Mother, I used to go to her office from time to time and she would always help others while still doing her work, always giving 3000% and somehow still being able to answer all my questions about her job, or just my silly question about this and that, I could see how disappointed on herself she would get when things weren’t solved in a timely manners, or at her best abilities, maybe she used to blame herself a bit too much, but I think that’s what leaders do, always listen to others and never blame coworkers if something doesn’t work, but instead trying to find a solution together while learning and build trust in each other. Read more>>
Rebecca Hoffman
I’ve been so fortunate to have been surrounded by people my entire life that I look up to and admire, and a key trait that they all share is that they have an incredible work ethic. I saw how fulfilled they were by their pursuits, and how their daily discipline fueled their success and I wanted that too. As a child, my grandmother always worked and took pride in being a businesswoman. Read more>>
Elizabeth Gerdes
I am the fourth oldest of twelve children. My parents did everything they could just to put food on the table and clothes on our backs. My father worked long hours at the local nuclear power plant, and was always picking up extra hours to help with the family income. For many years, my mother picked up weekend shifts as a night nurse in an extended living facility, even with her growing belly. It seemed like she was pregnant for my entire childhood, but she never let that stop her. Read more>>
Gabrielle Johnson
Growing up, my grandmothers were my primary caregivers, and they taught me the value of hard work and dedication. My Grandmother Laura Johnson was a Childcare Director and my grandmother Jacqueline Brown also known as “JB” was a Lead Administrative Secretary and Community Mother. Read more>>
Evetta Petty
My work ethic comes from watching my mother, Maxine and my aunt Eva. My aunt was a registered nurse that worked in cancer research. She was also a stylist, and she sold clothing and cosmetics on the side. My mother was a teacher, a very skilled seamstress and tailor, and a tax preparer. She was a single mother of 4 children. These 2 phenomenal women knew how to make money and provide for their family. I participated in all of their pop up shops and learned how to sew at a young age. I had my own earring business at age 10. I would make earrings and sell them to my aunt’s sorority sisters at their meetings. I understood very early that hard work was essential to a good life. Read more>>
Brianna Norton
I learned to work hard from my mom. She is a strong resilient woman who raise two strong successful daughters on her own with little resources.
Following her example of building a career for herself in a time that women fairly did did that. She was an outlier. I’ve don’e that too with different circumstances. I left a situation that was toxic to forge a path of success for myself. Hopefully setting an example for my own daughters proliferating strong, successful, fulfilled woman. Read more>>
Michael Klug
I was born and raised in South Dakota. It’s a pretty blue collar state in general, and I just think that the “get to work” attitude is part of the makeup of this rural state. I was taught from an early age that if you wanted something, then you’re going to work for it. I had my first job (a paper route) when I was about 10 years old. Living in the Black Hills, winters could be tough. But regardless of how crazy or deep the snow might be, I still had to get out there and deliver the papers. Read more>>
Kyle Monroe
A big part of my work ethic comes from being raised in the city of East Chicago. My parents instilled hard work in my brother and I from a young age, but as well, growing up in East Chicago, you really have to work hard for what you want. Raised around a lot of drugs and gun violence, it’s difficult for any kid to stay focused and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Read more>>
Doanya Gholami
I owe my work ethic to my upbringing as a first-generation Canadian, shaped by the tireless dedication of my hardworking parents who made significant sacrifices to provide my siblings and I with a brighter future. Witnessing their relentless commitment, working tirelessly seven days a week, instilled in me that diligent effort is the pathway to achieving one’s aspirations. Read more>>
Salem Moon
My father and mother. Both always taught me to be respectful, kind, and professional and on time with whatever I decide to tackle. Plus, as an audience member, I like when things are run well and feel like a well-oiled machine; so I look to make my projects the same. Read more>>
Jimel Atkins
Growing up in America after leaving Jamaica at the age of six, showed me what could happen in your life versus what I was exposed to. Jamaica is very laid-back as a country so my early childhood years made me feel very free… It wasn’t until I started playing sports in high school on a serious level that I felt this ability to create my future. I wish I had understood it earlier in regards to how work ethic can change your life so I feel compelled to make up for lost time. I also have been raised primarily by women through most of my upbringing. Read more>>
Sophie Frabotta
At a very younge age, I was taught to earn. My mom was an entrepreneur and my dad was a scientist. This blend in our household taught me a lot about the path I chose to walk as an entrepreneur. I learned that if I wanted things, I could work hard to “earn the money” it would take to get this thing and no one could stop me. Earning became a form of freedom for me, and I have used this as a guiding principle in my journey of spiritual entrepreneurship over the last two decades. Read more>>
Shane Thaxton
I started working at the age of 12, my first legal job was as a print model for Elite Model & Talent in Atlanta, Young age has significantly shaped my work ethic as a business owner. The early exposure to the professional world instilled in me a sense of responsibility, discipline, and a strong work ethic. During those formative years, I learned the value of hard work, time management, and the importance of delivering quality results. Read more>>
Ezekiel Haynes
I got my work ethic from my mother. Being the second oldest of six kids, she always had us involved in activities outside of school. She’d throw me here, toss my brothers there, and fling my sisters everywhere. I had to watch the other four when my older brother was gone and my mom was at work. I stayed working and I didn’t even get to punch in. Read more>>
Shyne
I truly got my work ethic from my mother. She is a single mother with 6 kids but always made sure we was taken care of with the best of her ability. She always made a way! She wasn’t mother of the year but how could she be with 6kids with barely any support but herself. Even with the help of family babysitting of course that’s still not enough to give a perfect life. Nothing’s perfect,anyway I didn’t have what other kids had. Read more>>
Joshua Newborn
My work ethics come from being blessed with two amazing parents, who are very different people. My father instilled very strong and grounded work habits into my life at a young age. He was a dedicated worker for the city of Los Angeles until he retired and when I was young pops introduced me to activities which required much disciple such as martial arts, drawing and photography. My dad really laid the foundation or brickwork for everything that I am doing today showing me hard work, organization and dedication. Read more>>
Maze Overlay
I feel like that’s a default setting for me. Probably comes from my childhood. I watched my pops work so hard in the 90’s, and my mom was always cleaning and cooking, and taking care of me and my little sister. I always saw them working. We didn’t have too much down time. Also, the failures I had and the losses I had to take inspired me to go harder and never stop. Read more>>
Kristi Abrahamson
I feel my work ethic is strong and comes from several experiences: watching how hard my grandparents worked on their farms and long hours they put in, watching my parents who worked full time balance success with both work and raising their family, and having inspiring teachers and coaches growing up. I also feel work ethic is innate in some people. I have always liked to work and received satisfaction from my accomplishments whether that be through sports, academics or the professional world. The reward, to me, wasn’t always monetary. Read more>>
Courtney Torain
I come from a family of self driven and successful entrepreneurs dating back to my grandparents. If I had to pick one person that I got my work ethic from, it would be my dad. Growing up, I always admired my father’s work ethic – his self discipline and drive to do whatever it took to not only provide for his family, but to also reach and accomplish his goals he set for himself. Read more>>
Armen Akopian
My parents emigrated to the United States with very little money in their pocket, no family or connections to anyone here and with a 3 year old kid – me. When we first arrived we were living in a one bedroom apartment in Queens, NY. My father started a job at NYU Langone doing research in the department of neuroscience and my mother got a job as a radiology technician. Read more>>
Amanda Yamate
Growing up, I was an elite athlete. My whole life I was competing in the thriving southern california volleyball scene and had the pleasure of playing alongside some of the best athletes in the world. I went on to get a full ride scholarship to play at an NCAA Division I college. Through these experiences I got to work with some of the most decorated and inspiring coaches who taught us how to dig deep and realize our full potentials on and off the court. The lessons those coaches passed on and the desire to always be on your best game have really stuck with me past my volleyball years. Read more>>
Gina Clarke-Helm
I’d have to say that there are several factors that are responsible for my work ethic. Having been on my own since I was 17 years old, I developed a since of survival which created a determination to succeed with a no option to fail attitude. Thus, I was motivated to work hard and I developed a can do attitude which lead to an unwavering commitment to be successful. Read more>>
