The ability to work hard has always been underappreciated and devalued by various elements in society. In our experience, it’s crystal clear that having a strong work ethic and positive attitude towards working hard is highly predictive of success. Below, you’ll find highlights of our conversations around how one might go about developing or leveling up their work ethic.
Tracey Dudziec-deWaal
Owning a restaurant is an exhilarating journey that combines creativity, determination, and strategic thinking. Long, back breaking hours on your feet, so much time away from family and friends, financial contraints, managing employees and guests and rising food costs. A strong work ethic is crucial- without it our restauant would never have made it through these last 25 years. I can attribute my strong work ethic to my parents. Read more>>
Worlasi Langani
HUNGER, I was raised by a single mom, and she mostly complained about money and not having much. I always had the edge to make sure that I keep going no matter what because I could see how hungry she was to be successful or to make ends meet. So I’d say the hunger to survive where I’m from and the resilience and discipline that I’ve experienced from my mom. Read more>>
Elena Maas
My work ethic comes from growing up with working parents. My father is a retired high school teacher who could most likely count his sick days on one hand after working at the same school for over 40 years. My mom, always having worked part-time in order to be home when my sister and I were growing up, made sure that once we hit a certain age, we were aware that we’d have to earn our own money. Read more>>
Jon McFarland
I didn’t always have a good, strong work ethic. As a teenager, I procrastinated and left things off until I was pressured to finish my tasks at home and school. This was a different story when it came to athletics, My parents kept my brother and me active in club sports growing up as an avenue for a healthy balance of physical activity and competition. I was a competitive swimmer between the ages of 7 and 21. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Miller
I think I get the majority of my work ethic from my years of studying classical ballet. I started creative movement classes as a small child due to low muscle tone as a child and after taking my first ballet class, I never wanted to stop. I continued my training with Houston Ballet Academy as a child then went on to study at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for high school and then on to dance with Ballet Austin’s Trainee program before moving to New York to do the Broadway audition circuit. Read more>>
Manx Taiki Magyar
I grew up IN a small business, art gallery and learned so much about making your own path (in sometimes unconventional ways. My parents owned a glass blowing studio and gallery, which is ALSO where we lived. So I was completely surrounded by “work” and today I run my own small video production with my living partner and mainly work from home. Read more>>
Delma Gomes
I believe that every success in life requires a level of discipline. From younger age, my dad always taught that anything in this life it’s achievable, as long as you are disciplined enough to make it work. I try my best to keep a balance between my secular job , my business and my personal life , by having a schedule and sticking to it. I try to deliver my work at a timely fashion to avoid any inconvenience to my beautiful customers. Read more>>
Deaune Boyd
My work ethic is deeply ingrained in me, and I owe it all to my parents. Growing up in Southeast San Diego wasn’t easy; we lived in a one-bedroom apartment, struggling to make ends meet. With two older siblings and a single mother working tirelessly to keep us afloat, I learned the value of hard work from a young age. Read more>>
Odalys Acuña
I definitely get my work ethic from my mom. Since I was a little girl my mom has worked hard to provide for me and my siblings. She became a single mom at a very young age and she never let anyone hold her back from providing for her kids and she instilled those values into us! I started my work life when I was 15! Not because I needed to work or was forced to work but because I wanted to. Read more>>
Mackenzie Jaquish
My work ethic comes from the women I surround myself with. I grew up in a predominantly female household. My mother never strayed away from a challenge and it pushed my sisters and I to do the same. Throughout my childhood she was constantly pushing herself to try something new, take on a new adventure no matter the avenue, she was a teacher, ran for local government, was the head of multiple charity organizations and still had time to make dinner every night. Read more>>
Carly Filbin
My work ethic comes from my family. My father worked hard when I was growing up to provide for us. He always made sure that we had all of our needs and a lot of our “wants”. He always told me he would take care of my college tuition because he wanted me to have a good job, that I also enjoyed. He never worked too much however, and was always home on the weekends and in the evenings with us. He really balanced work and family well. Read more>>
Desiree Alvarez
Work ethic comes from passion, and I don’t know if that is something that can be taught. I played sports up & through college so I account a lot of my work ethic to years of dedicated training. Softball humbly taught me how to handle failure, stress, & the art of anticipation. Sports in general helped me understand the importance of consistency, teamwork & how to use my voice as a leader. Read more>>
Chalaine A Barry
Where do you get your work ethic from? I learned my work ethic from the women in my life, my mom, my grandma, and my aunt. My father was also there to hold me accountable when he didn’t think I was doing as my mother requested, which was my best work. In the recent years I have seen my family and friends express their disappointment in work ethics of the youth around our islands and I was interested to find out what happened. Read more>>
Fatou Sow
Growing up with immigrant parents likely played a significant role in shaping my work ethic. My parents came from Senegal, West Africa and did so much for themselves and the family even for the people back home in Africa still. They instill strong values of hard work, determination, and perseverance in me and my siblings , stemming from their own experiences of overcoming challenges and striving for a better life in a new country. Read more>>
Sandi Wise
We didn’t have much money when I was a kid. My mom had to get state assistance at various times during my childhood in order to pay the rent and keep food on the table for the 5 kids she had (with 3 different baby daddys). She couln’t afford to buy me the things my peers had so I started learing how to make my own money very early on. Read more>>
Hadi Harake
With over 8 years of experience in the real estate industry and an intimate knowledge of the Tampa, Florida area, my work ethics have been finely honed through a blend of personal values and professional expertise. Read more>>
Greg Reid
Most problems I had in life at the age of 18 could be solved with money. I had just started my business right out of high school in 1983 and had some marketable skills but zero business acumen. I knew I could make money and figured I’d just buy my way out of any errors that would come my way as I learned how to avoid them. Read more>>
Ashley Reyes
I like to believe I have a strong work ethic when it comes to working for myself because I’ve always kind of been the black sheep. Never really wanted to follow others or do what I’m told. I’ve always paved my own path whether that be in school, at a job, or my physical appearance. In school I would always have my assignments done and turned in well before they were required simply because I didn’t want to wait! Read more>>
Christine Saunders
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values instilled in me by my father. He taught me the importance of integrity, emphasizing the significance of always doing what is right, even when no one is watching. He showed me the power of showing up in a positive way, bringing enthusiasm and dedication to everything I do. Read more>>
Alex Quade
Growing up in a small Wisconsin town where it seemed like everyone practically knew everyone, I was surrounded by hardworking and determined people. I was also raised in a family that not only showed but ingrained the belief that hard work is essential for achieving your goals. As the first person in my family who wanted to pursue music and the arts beyond my school’s music program, there was naturally a slight hesitation in my family. Read more>>
Cory Hicks
I was born & raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. I grew up playing basketball, and was fortunate to get a scholarship to play in college, leading me to Texas. Being a part of a championship team, basketball has revealed to me, the importance of preparation, repetition, & belief. Basketball has allowed me to practice the skill of “showing up” & outworking when most people quit. Read more>>
Ciara Lewis
I come from a hard-working family. Growing up in a household with a single mom who worked two jobs and a grandma who worked fulltime at a factory. Watching both work all the time inspired me to want to be work just as hard as they did. We didn’t have an abundance growing up, but we had enough and what we needed. Read more>>
Adrienne Wiley
I get my work ethic from my Dad. He always worked hard to provide for me and my mom. Starting as a UPS driver at 16, he worked up to a district manager by the time he retired at 50. This upward mobility was a rare accomplishment at the time as we lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and he was one of only two black managers in his region. So, I saw my dad work hard, be wise with money, and be resourceful. Read more>>
Byron Wilson Jr
I got my work ethic from my father. I witnessed my father work very hard and do all types of work just to make ends meet. That was truly my inspiration behind my business and other ventures as well. Being able to make my father proud with my accomplishments was my greatest reward. Read more>>
Laura Moreau
I would say from my parents, looking at them and listening to them taught me that work is no difference than life : being polite, respectful, ponctual and reliable are essential values in this world. Read more>>
Masumi Kambayashi
My work ethic comes from my childhood. I started dancing when I was 5 and I never stopped dancing since then. When I was a junior high school and high school student in Japan, it became very hard to commit both study and dancing because I was in school 8am-6pm everyday except Sunday and my school had a plenty of homework and exam. Read more>>
Mo Stockon
I owe a lot of my work ethic to my parents and how I was raised. I am very fortunate to have an extremely supportive family and close circle of friends. While life always presents challenges – work ethic is thankfully nothing I feel like I have ever lacked. My dad was an entrepreneur and successful business owner – which inspired me to want the same for myself growing up. Read more>>
Christine Piper
have to say my work ethic comes from the sport of swimming. I grew up swimming competitively and then went on to swim in college. The strict training schedule has given me the discipline to consistenly show up to early bake days, manage effectively, and get everything done in a timely manner. Swimming has also given me perseverance to overcome any obstacles that come my way, accountability, and extreme dedication. Read more>>
Rhondel Moses
I got my work ethic from my uncle “Roland Sankar” he took me in when I was a child and raised me like his own son. His work ethic was highly influential to me. I would see him work 16hr days; sometimes 24hr shifts, but we always had everything needed and way more. My biological parents weren’t fortunate to have good jobs nor the education to seek a great job so that became my motivation. Read more>>
Betsy Grant
I learned my curious, hard work ethic from my Dad. While growing up he demonstrated how hard work creates action to get the results you want. His trial-and-error mentality persisted without giving up. I never heard him say, “I can’t do this.” His failures were the motivation to figure it out. Read more>>
Shae Frichette
I enjoy getting the opportunity to contribute to something. Whether it be to my own business, a relationship or community project, it makes me feel great knowing I made a positive impression. This desire drives my work ethic because I care about the legacy I leave and how I leave others feeling about themselves and me. Read more>>
Amy Novotny
My work ethic comes from my circumstances growing up. I grew up with my mother and one of my brothers. My mother didn’t have much money and we slept on floors most of my childhood. She worked part time in the school cafeteria and we lived simply. She encouraged us to do well in school so I poured myself into my studies. Read more>>
Carol Heard
My work ethic is deeply influenced by my parents’ resilience and determination. My mother, a Filipina from Bicol, worked her way from being a maid to holding two jobs in the U.S. to support our family. My father, born in 1936, served in the Air Force, worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the Federal Government, always seeking new challenges even after retirement. Read more>>
Skye Morriseau
I would say I get my work ethic from my passion for music. That’s ultimately the fire that keeps me running and reaching for my goals. I’ve always known that music is what I wanted to do with my life, there’s never really been anything else. Every step I’ve taken up to this point has been to achieve my goal of making a career in the music industry. Read more>>
Amelia McCracken
I began selling jewelry at the end of my driveway at the age of 11. Almost everyone in my family – including brothers, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles – has had their own businesses, so I knew from an early age that I would as well. Entrepreneurship and a hardcore work ethic are in my blood. Read more>>
Jade Royer
My work ethic is deeply influenced by my diverse experiences spanning three continents — Hong Kong, Rennes in France, and Los Angeles in the United States—as well as my academic journey at Woodbury University and the array of jobs I undertook while studying. Read more>>
Tessa Manton
Work ethic is a character trait that I believe is developed, learned and mastered over time as we discover what we love and what gives up purpose and drive. My parents were instrumental in showing me a solid work ethic from their professional to personal lives. They work hard and play hard while staying focused on their personal hobbies, their family, careers and communities. Read more>>
Max Fischer
Thanks to Kaiser Wilhelm II, Max Paul Fischer grew up fatherless in north central Germany in the midst of World War I and the economic desolation that hovered thereafter. Unable to afford much of anything, young Max would go the scrap yard where he cobbled together his first bicycle. Read more>>
Masta Ace
I believe i get my work ethic from my mother firstly. She taught me responsibility and accountability at a young age. It was just she and I living in a two bedroom shotgun apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn. I had certain jobs around the house from the time I was 14. Taking out the garbage, washing dishes and cleaning the bathroom once a week along with keeping my room straightened up were my “jobs”. Read more>>
