While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that everyone is just ghosting their lives away, we’ve seen countless examples of how strong the work ethic is on every street and in every neighborhood in America. Hard work is alive and well and we asked some of the hardest working folks we know how they developed their work ethic.
Dian Mullis
My grandparents were farmers that were alive during the Great Depression. They were the hardest workers I’ve ever seen. The older farmer generation seemed to know something about everything and they lived the work life. They saved money, didn’t waste anything and knew how to fix just about anything. Read more>>
Georgia Dawkins
I love this question! I was raised by the flea markets of Florida. Strangely enough, my mom was really into retail during my pre-teen years. Our booth often included shoes, clothes, linen, and glass produce. Selling glass flowers remains one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The experience however taught me a valuable lesson about persistence. Even if that meant bartering with another vendor. I got it sold. Read more>>
Shavon Price
My work ethic was adapted from my parents. They were both very hard-working people, but to a fault. Their careers and position in life were of the highest priority. This means their interpersonal relationships and relationship with self suffered. In my book, Repairing Time Leaks, I briefly discuss my parents and their inability to take breaks. As my dad began to age, he became more intentional about where he spent most of his time. Read more>>
Pritesh Walia
Growing up in India, the concept of pursuing music professionally was very much looked down upon and belittled. Becoming a professional guitar player was a taboo subject for most of my life. I knew better than to take music that seriously until my parents came to me and told me they believed in me. I felt, and still feel incredibly lucky for their unwavering support. From that moment on, I stopped dreaming and got to work. Read more>>
Silencia Cox
Both of my parents are entrepreneurs and own their own businesses. My father owned a construction company that focused on designing and building custom solar homes in Norther Colorado. My mother is the founder and creative force behind Motherlove, the business that I now have the privilege of running. Read more>>
Amanda Kroeker
My work ethic is shaped by a combination of factors that have influenced my journey thus far. Firstly, as a lifelong athlete, I’ve imbibed a certain level of determination, discipline, and perseverance inherent in sports. The dedication required to excel in athletics has naturally translated into my approach towards work. Read more>>
Erica Sunshine Lee
My parents have instilled a beautiful story with their hard work to raise three kids on a small salary. My mama worked for $20/day to take care of other children and my father had to work even harder after he lost his retirement in the 2008 downtown. They’ve always given us the tools to be able to push through adversity, and raised us to be independent. Read more>>
Carsten & Leigh Vollrath
We would say it’s a combination of principals and values we were raised with by our parents, our faith and military backgrounds that have shaped our work ethic. Read more>>
Christina Godepski
My work ethic started at home. I was raised primarily by my dad who worked his butt off to support me. He was only 21 when he had me and even in that era you had to work for what you wanted, and adding a kid to that only made the need that much greater. With his ethics constantly being shown to me, I just kind of absorbed it as a child. Read more>>
Anne Emerson Hall
My parents set wonderful examples of a strong work ethic, doubtless inherited from theirs. i saw my mother working hard running the household. My father commanded ships, squadrons, divisions and forces in the U.S. Navy. While I was not as aware of all that his work entailed, I could tell that he loved it. Read more>>
Brianna Rehm
I would say I get my work ethic from both of my parents, but specifically my father. Growing up I always saw both of my parents working so hard. And they showed my sisters and I what happens when you work hard. However, my father has his own business. I never had a plan to open a salon of my own, but when it presented itself, I went with it. Read more>>
Bernard Semerdjian
I think it’s important to draw a hard line between work and life in order to have some sort of balance. A lot of my work ethic comes from my childhood. Growing up, my parents always made sure I was on top of my homework and chores before I could play. I also found that I enjoyed my playtime more knowing I had finished my scholastic responsibilities. Read more>>
Emily Drennan
Doing your best and finishing what you set out to do has always been something that was instilled in me from a very early age. I didn’t realize that not finishing your homework or not preparing for a test was even an option until I got older and saw other classmates choosing that path. It was very simple: once we finished our homework or chores, then we got to play or go outside or do whatever we wanted to do. Until then, we didn’t. So, we did. Read more>>
Chappell Hollingshead
I learned and attribute my work ethic to the men in my life. My grandpa and dad showcased a powerful work ethic and I grew up aspiring to be just like them. Since a very young age, my dad and I ran long distance together and had a playful yet competitive spirit to our endeavors. Because of that shared competitive drive, I learned how to push myself physically and mentally. Read more>>
Teac(hers) Lounge Podcast
As young Black women, we have come up in a culture that often undermines or devalues the contributions of women who look like us. Because of this, we have been taught to believe we must outwork and overperform everyone else just to be accepted. Many Black women, in particular, have been raised in community-centered families and spaces. Read more>>
Cameron Williams
My work ethic has been something I have cultivated my entire life. From a young age, my parents taught me the importance of working efficiently and effectively, while also ensuring that my work is purposeful and to the best of my abilities. When I was in school the main advice I was given by my parents was to try my best. This advice kept me from placing extreme conditions on how I view success and how I view dedication. Read more>>
Ernesto Rosa
My work ethic come from a combination of factors, including upbringing, personal values, experiences, and goals. It may have been influenced by observing hardworking role models, being taught the importance of diligence and dedication, or facing challenges that instilled a drive to succeed. The feeling of been successful and offer bigger opportunities to others. Read more>>
Polina Filatova
My work ethic is something that has been ingrained in me since a young age, thanks to my parents. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of hard work, determination, and perseverance. They showed me by example how these qualities can lead to success and fulfillment in all aspects of life. Read more>>
Pamela Breece
My strong work ethic undoubtedly comes from my father, Kenneth Muller. He established a construction company shortly after I was born, diving into entrepreneurship in his late twenties. Growing up, I witnessed his dedication as he toiled through long days, working tirelessly seven days a week. His commitment meant early departures before my school day began and late returns, often after my bedtime. Read more>>
Danny Borgstrom
I get my work ethic from my Dad. He’s my best friend, but more importantly, he taught me how to work. Period. He worked a factory job until I was about 4 years old, and then he struck out on his own doing furnace and air conditioner work. He went to school to learn the trade, and then put in the hours and work to provide. Read more>>
Denetria Middleton
My grandfather was a huge part of my families’ legacy and the values he instilled in us. Growing up, I lived very close to my grandparents and you would rarely catch my grandfather lounging . Before the rooster crowed , my grandfather was up working . What was so ironic , my grandfather was retired before I was even born. Read more>>
J Rodney Turner
My work ethic comes from my father. He was raised in an orphanage in Virginia, and he had no male role models. All of his authority figures were female. He worked at Southern Bell Telephone Company for over 30 years and he instilled in me, and my two older sisters, a sense of responsibility to family. Read more>>
Richard Arguelles
To be honest, I was never a workaholic before. I was very carefree, wandering through life very aimlessly and enjoying all the superficial joys that it has to offer. It’s not until youre down at ground zero, broke, and at the bottom to where that transformation of growth occurs. Also I was pretty hardheaded before too…..still kinda am but a lot better. Read more>>
Lydia Knight
I approached my mom as a kid with a simple ask: toothpaste. I didn’t realize it would become a pivotal moment. She let me know I needed to give her more notice so we could budget for a new tube, and it left me grappling with the reality of just how poor we were. Even an extra hundred dollars would’ve changed our lives. I didn’t know anyone that could help us, so I decided that person was me. Read more>>
David Johnson
I got my work ethic from growing up poor an learning if you want anything then you need to get it for yourself. As a kid I baby sat, shoveled snow, cut grass, rake leaves, ran for grocery’s and anything else I could figure out on how to make a dollar. Read more>>
Alyssa Banks
When I was 3 years old, my father became a Pastor. That didn’t become his main vocation though. Until about 3 years ago, my father also working in management in the compressed gas industry. Essentially, for my entire life, I watched my father walk in integrity in both the sanctuary and the secular world. Read more>>
Will Britton
I got my work ethic from my family. Mostly my dad. He always had something going on. He worked full time as an insurance agent and always had side gigs going on. On top of having side gigs, he did lots of volunteer things for the community as well. My dad didn’t sit down when he was tired, only when he was exhausted. He turned what he really liked into opportunities to make money. One of those things was he would buy and sell old cars. Read more>>
Victoria Williams
My work ethic comes from my Mother. My entire life she has taught me to work hard and even harder than I thought I could. She believed in my dreams before I ever did. I watched her work multiple jobs at a time just to give myself and my brothers the best life. Even when things were hard she never showed it. Seeing that at such a young age showed me the power a women can have. For that, I am forever grateful. Read more>>
Karolina Khris
My work ethic is directly linked to my upbringing! Not only did I have a reliant mother, raising me on her own, and never taking no for an answer only showed me how to fight for what I want. She kept 2-3 jobs along with my hard working aunts and uncles. My grandparents on both sides of my family owned businesses, and worked day jobs were they managed employees so seeing this directly impacted the way I see not only the work force. It also impacts my creative pursuits. Read more>>
Leif Lee
My work ethic comes from watching my dad, who spent 31 years working in an aluminum factory. His commitment to providing for our family left a huge mark on me and my approach to life and art. It also taught me to be mindful of how I spend my time, because it is possible to work so hard that you miss the lives of those you love without realizing it. Read more>>
Yutao Chen
Process is equally, if not more, crucial than results. It’s hard for me to discern how I originally developed this mindset at a very young age. I just instinctively gravitated towards things that displayed meticulous craftsmanship, whether it’s a sports team known for a distinctive style of play or films thoughtfully shot and edited. Read more>>
Eric Fuller
I get my work ethic from my Mother and Grandfather. I was prob 12 years old when my Mother decided to obtain her series 6 and 63 license. My parents were divorced, so she did this while managing a household and raising two kids, which wasn’t easy. I watched her study late into the evenings and would have a close family friend come over to watch us so she could study. She passed the tests and it was a big deal financially for our family. Read more>>
Keiare Isler
My work ethic came from the way I was raised as a kid. My mom taught me everything I know. I look up to her in so many ways growing up. My mother always told me to “work hard for what you want.” By that she meant, that nothing is going to be handed to you. If you want something you have to work to get it yourself. Read more>>
Michelle Mumoli
My parents definitely instilled in me my work ethic. They were immigrants who came to the US for a better life from their respective countries, and they worked effortlessly to build their American dream of home ownership. Read more>>
Dominic Waters
Watching all the men on my mothers side of the family own and operate thier own companies. i learned without knowing how to be a hard worker. it was instilled in me through what i saw daily. Read more>>
Shang Abrams
Well my dad’s family is from the South, Allison Louisiana near Baton Rouge. I was brought up with values about your work. I can remember my dad saying that it did not matter what your title was, you did your best at that job because it is a reflection on you. I want to say in addition that my family is historically from a plantation in St Francisville, Louisiana. I definitely think that could have had some influence on my work ethic as well sadly as that might be. Read more>>
Dorothy Chow
My father. My father was a survivor of the Khmer Rouge genocide from the 70’s, came to America with nothing, and built an empire in the donut industry. He is the strongest, most courageous, resilient man I know and I have learned a lot of what it means to work hard through watching his habits and approach to life. Read more>>
Crystel Franco-Cortez
My work ethic comes from creating something with my hands. When I 8 years old I would draw croquis. Women wearing outfits and I felt that I had a deadline to complete them. I pretended it was a career. I was kind of obsessed with it. I was a little perfectionists. I’d dressed my barbies up with their cloths pretending I created their clothing. I didn’t know how to sew, but I did wanted to design and I wanted everything to be perfect. Read more>>
Lindsay Shaver
I definitely accredit my mother for being a very hard working example in my life. Growing up with a single mother, I watched her do everything possible to make ends meet & supply us with a good life. She worked multiple jobs, and taught me how to balance a checkbook at the age of 10, (so I could fully understand where money was going). Read more>>
Dan Lomeli
My father has owned a landscaping business for just over 35 years now and still is out on the truck everyday. I started working with him helping out when I was around 9-10 years 0ld. He works very long hours usually 6 days a week and does so for two main reasons: to support his family and because he genuinely loves the work that he does. Read more>>
