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.
Dan Hertzog
My parents. It’s something that was instilled in me from a very young age. Maybe it was my father encouraging me to always finish my homework before going out to play. It might have been from helping my parents at indoor and outdoor flea markets on the weekends. Perhaps it was holding down two part-time jobs on top of an already overloaded high-school schedule. Regardless, it was 100% from my upbringing and two incredible parents. In fact, later while at USC, I ended up writing a paper on the history of our family; it was titled Diligence Over Intelligence – a theme that rings true to this day. Read more>>
Lagueria Davis
I come from working class people. So, all we know is to work. My mom was a Nurse’s Aid and my dad worked for the city of Fort Worth as a bus parts manager. My mom still works at the same hospital, now as a Unit Secretary in the telemetry unit. My dad, though retired, works at Lowe’s and within months he had already worked his way into a full-time manager position. He declined the position, because he is retired after all and only sought a part time position in order to have something to do with some of his free time. Seeing how my mom worked, at times 2-3 jobs at a time in order to take make ends meet, she instilled not only how having a strong work ethic could lead to success, but also having an education could take you further in hopes to not have to work 2-3 jobs. So, I feel my life has been working toward one goal at a time with that in mind, while understanding that there are systemic barriers in place that might take me a little longer to accomplish my goals. Along with work ethic and education, tenacity and patience became a piece of the equation as well. Never give up, no matter how long it takes, especially if you know that what you’re after is your calling and is rightfully, already yours. Read more>>
Julie Boardman
I consider myself to be a bit disruptive, that is, dreaming up the things I wish existed…and then creating them. My parents are both entrepreneurs and my grandfather was an aerospace engineer & inventor (..who made it possible to land on the moon..) – I think being raised with that sort of spirit instilled the belief in me that if I want to make something happen, I need to step up and make it happen. My grandmother would always say, “If it was easy everyone would have done it.” It’s a good reminder when things get tough. The Museum of Broadway has really helped me hone my work ethic, since I am so passionate about curating and growing this space dedicated to Broadway which New York, and the world, has never had before. Read more>>
Brian Kaspr
I began working part time in a restaurant at the age of 13. I learned quickly that one of the easiest ways to stand out was to do the work and do it well. I’ve carried this mindset with me ever since. There was a quote printed on a dot matrix printer hanging in the garage of a family friend that sums this up better than I ever could; “If you don’t have the time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it again”. Read more>>
Kiana Honarmand
As an artist, having control over your schedule can be both a blessing and a challenge. The art world is incredibly competitive, and maintaining a sustainable studio practice requires dedication and hard work. My passion for my studio practice and the messages I aim to convey through my work are what drive me. I believe in the power of art to connect people from diverse backgrounds and to inspire meaningful conversations. This belief fuels my commitment to my practice. To stay productive, I often set deadlines, not just on my own, but by seeking out projects and exhibitions that require firm commitments. While these deadlines can sometimes be stressful, they are vital in keeping me on track and ensuring that my projects come to fruition. Over time, I’ve realized that discipline and consistency are key to a successful art career. The balance between creativity and structure has been crucial to my growth and my ability to share my work with a broader audience. By applying for opportunities that come with their own timelines, I maintain a steady momentum that drives my work forward and keeps my studio practice active and engaging. Read more>>
Donielle Mills
My worth ethic comes from growing up with a single parent of 4. Watching my mother work 11 to 7 overnight in the medical field and never complain. Even though we all know how exhausting working overnight is but pair that with being a single mother. Tired really is an understatement. I remember as a child being with my mother when we didn’t have a car riding the bus or even walking to get from point A to B. I remember us going without some days but I can’t recall one day my mother complained. I remember her doing whatever it took to take care of herself as well as her kids. My mom never giving up or threw in the towel, that right there set an example for me moving forward. I always told myself id work just as hard to take care of myself as well as be able to take care of her and anything her and my siblings needed with me being the oldest. Read more>>
Samantha Gallacher
I have always been a hard worker and always wanted to work for myself.
After spending years as part of a larger team in finance, advertising and then design I learned that really anything is possible as long as you keep moving. My parents instilled in me that of someone else can do it, why can’t you?
That just helps you think if I keep moving and keep creating I won’t second guess myself and and it will all work out. The moment you sit back and wait for something to happen is when your work ethic has vanished. Read more>>
Ashley Lewis
Since I can remember, all of my parents (Mom, Dad, Step-Dad, and Step-Mother) demonstrated a hard work ethic and entrepreneurship from their core. They all owned their own businesses from a photography studio, fine jewelry store, to a tour guide company. They each had to carve out the discipline, determination, and steadfastness to continue when times were tough. All of the above marked me deeply and in a way that I’m still seeing it all unfol On my own, I applied for my first job at 15 years old at Applebee’s as a hostess. I love the feeling of working hard and getting that paycheck in my hand. I LOVE that feeling of “hard work paying off”. I also loved as a teenager being on my feet, working, serving, and interacting with people. Then when I moved out on my own at 18 years old, I can remember again feeling this drive to work hard and dream big. I did just that and was able to work many jobs that were a dream come true. When times got tough, I remember just knowing intuitively that giving up was not an option. Hard times made me dig in even deeper and find even more drive to be and do better. I credit so much of all of the above to all of my parent’s influence on me, without them even knowing it. Read more>>
Tara Garcia
My work ethic comes from my parents. They’re do-ers. My dad is a list maker and a believer in the “leave it better than you found it” ideal. My mom is always prepared. If you need something for a project, a recipe, or a trip, she’s got it. As kids, we all pitched in around the house and were expected to perform well in school. As a teacher right out of college, I had to remain organized, schedule minded and detail oriented to keep my orchestra program running each year. As a band member, I think my band mates would call me a “band mom” because I use my organizational super powers to keep us on track behind the scenes but I embrace that role. I create and manage all of our social media marketing posts and merch inventory, keep our song lists current and our sub guides updated, as well as maintaining notes from our weekly meetings. I’m happy to do it! Read more>>
Genotheartist Freeman
Growing. Up as an only child watching my parents work hard for the way we lived made me want to live a similar life. They had the best of everything and never had to worry about a thing and I wanted that. So from the time I could work I wanted to so I could learn what responsibility looked like and could I really take care of my myself if I had to. So with all that I applied to my work ethic in how I move and how I treat people. I’m a fair and generous person that would never ask you to do something that I wouldn’t do. I research and I plan for whatever job is next for me so I can complete to the highest level that I can. I show up everyday as a better version of myself. Read more>>
Veronica Tierra
Oh boy! I started performing when I was very little, and over the years, I’ve developed a deep love for the preparation and rehearsal processes just as much as the performance itself. From a young age, I learned to respect and find meaning in work. As I grew older, I realized that having a clear purpose and mission is the best driving force to move a project forward. My work ethic is all about doing my best to make a difference, whether the task is big or small and whether I’m seen or not. Over time, a strong work ethic becomes a habit that pushes you to the next level if you let it. Read more>>
Julie Carter
As a coach, I often read research studies and contemplated the source from which people get their work ethic and what drives them. After all, work ethic, combined with motivation, is how we can maximize performance outside of the physical things we do. For my own work ethic, I think I get a little from nature and a little from nurture. My dad was so busy that I cannot believe he was able to do everything he did! He had a full-time job, owned a business where he spent time almost daily, had rental properties, stayed very in tune with politics at every level, and taught Calculus at the local community college for “fun” some semesters. He did all of that, yet, I never once felt like my dad didn’t have time for me. He was always there for all of his children, and he ran me all over the country so I could compete as a national caliber cyclist on top of his regular responsibilities. Though my mother was a stay-at-home mom for over half of my childhood, she was constantly doing something productive. She had this really cool system that kept her on top of all of her cleaning tasks, balanced the family finances, and took care of meal prep and cooking. She washed and folded our laundry all the way up until we left the house, and she sometimes worked outside of the home, too. She was rarely sitting around doing nothing. When she was sitting around, she was touching base with family or working on her hobbies. Read more>>
Kyle Gines
I got my work ethic from my parents because they always had a job while I was coming up. I believe if it was not for them, I would not have become the self-reliant individual that I am today. Having that strong work ethic can make multi-tasking different projects that much easier. Read more>>
Lee “Natty” Trebotich
My strong work ethic stems from my love for the outdoors. Growing up in a family that valued hard work, I believe that success is directly linked to the effort and time invested in a project. Our goal is to set an example for the outdoor industries and demonstrate various ways to respect our environments through education and action Read more>>
Corry Graber
I derive my work ethic from my parents. They were both self-employed, and I had the opportunity to work alongside them from a young age. Witnessing their dedication and passion for what they did instilled in me a strong sense of work ethic. It has become an integral part of my identity, and I attribute my drive and determination to their success and example. Read more>>
Stephen Rowe
Coming from a family of carpenters and miners, from an early age I was exposed to hard working family members that did the very best to make an income, raise a family and contribute positively to society. When I was a young boy, I actually was living with my grandparents who raised me and my younger brother until we were in our early teens. We observed my grandmother cooking, cleaning and caring for a large family. Meanwhile, my grandfather would rise early to have a full day at the mines. I fondly remember Sunday dinner, when my grandmother would cook a roast and my grandfather would be helping her to wash the floors or shine the shoes for us kids. What a humble, yet warm memory. Read more>>
Megan Vaughan
Growing up in a very education focused household, having a strong work ethic was incredibly important. My mother went back to college after raising 4 children to pursue her passion for education. This displayed her passion for self improvement. My father is a Professional Engineer and routinely impressed upon me the value in pushing oneself to our highest potential. They held me to appropriately high standards and taught me the value of setting goals and using honed in skills, determination, and focus to achieve those goals. I owe my strong work ethic to them- they set me up to be a driver in any industry I chose to pursue. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Cruz
The first thing that comes to mind is my mom. No matter when, where, what day or time, if someone asks me this question, I immediately say “my mom”. From the time I can remember, my mom has been one of the hardest working people that I’ve known. She has always stuck herself out there to make sure our family has had what we needed. I’ve always looked up to her work ethic, and I think over time it has taught me that failing is okay. Failing once or twice doesn’t mean its over. Whenever it came to school or work, I believe that I have followed in her footsteps in trying to overachieve. Still to this day, trying to break the cycle of the “American Dream”, I am working ever so hard to reach the goals I have set for myself. Working so hard to be that person retired my 30, to enjoy what life has to offer. Read more>>
Janet Hernandez Philipps
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my father’s example. When we immigrated to the US from Peru, my dad secured a job as a machine operator for a very large Aerospace company. His dedication was unwavering; he worked tirelessly and gave 100% to his role. Remarkably, he held this single job for 23 years until he retired. From a young age, I witnessed his commitment and learned that nothing comes easy. He instilled in me the belief that hard work and perseverance are essential to excel and to be the best at whatever I do. His journey and resilience have been my guiding principles in developing a strong work ethic and overcoming challenges in my own profession. I love you, Dad! Read more>>
Devin Kowl
My work ethic comes from the desire to truly want to succeed. I was always taught I can be anything and do anything I put my mind to if I truly work hard enough at it. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs in my family, so growing up it gave me a totally different mindset than the average person. To be able to watch people set goals and achieve them was one thing, but being able to witness the hard work, discipline & courage it really did shape my work ethic. Read more>>
Apoorva Choudhary
Growing up, my father, a dedicated heart surgeon, was a constant source of inspiration. His commitment to his profession and unwavering emphasis on the importance of education and hard work deeply influenced my own work ethic. He often reminded me that regardless of the task at hand, approaching it with full dedication and effort was essential. His philosophy was simple yet profound: hard work and smart work are both necessary to succeed. Watching him navigate the demands of his career with such passion and integrity instilled in me a respect for diligence and perseverance. He taught me that an honest work ethic is a key ingredient in achieving one’s goals and making a meaningful impact. My father’s influence extends beyond just the principles he preached. His daily actions, the meticulous care he exhibited in his work, and the compassion he showed his patients provided a living example of what it means to be truly dedicated. This environment cultivated my own drive to excel and to approach every opportunity with the same level of commitment and integrity. Read more>>
Corey Morrissette
I think I get my work ethic from my dad. He worked tirelessly when I was growing up trying to provide us the best life possible, first owning and operating his own farming equipment operation then owning and operating a small town bar and hotel. When you own your own business there’s no such thing as sick days or time off, something my wife and I discovered when we opened our own video store in 2005. A strong work ethic is essential for success but you should never make the mistake of sacrifice your work/home life balance for the sake of work…another lesson I had to learn the hard way. Read more>>
Zongze Xie
I feel that my entire life has been attracted by various stories. Since I was young, I was a child immersed in myths and fairy tales. Those bizarre legends and imaginations formed my initial understanding of the world. Then, during my elementary school years, I entered the world of movies, and the cinema became a presence akin to a second home for me. Therefore, I believe that my longing for art and the desire for self-expression have always been deeply buried in my heart. Naturally, I became a student majoring in digital media arts. I have always known that I aspire to be a storyteller, but I have been constantly exploring and contemplating the medium of storytelling. It was my love for video games that led me into the gaming industry, but I still have a passion for movies and stories. Thus, I became a game narrative designer. I often feel that when a person encounters their destined vocation, they will always sense a kind of predestined feeling deep within. From the first day I embarked on this career path, I firmly believed that this was the most suitable job for me, a dream-making profession that combines art, creativity, storytelling, and expression into one. Read more>>
RUCHIR KULKARNI
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and the values my family instilled in me. For me, work ethic means consistently putting in effort and maintaining a high standard of professionalism and integrity in everything I do. When you start a career, your knowledge and expertise in that field are naturally limited, but with a solid work ethic, you’ll always find opportunities. Work ethic is the foundation that drives me to achieve my goals and honour the trust others place in me. Filmmaking is a challenging field with its ups and downs, but maintaining a strong work ethic has always helped me navigate through it. I believe that if you put in the effort, stay committed, and keep learning, success will follow. This mindset has allowed me to tackle diverse projects, from documentaries highlighting social issues to creative storytelling in feature films. It’s this blend of passion and perseverance that keeps me moving forward in my career. Read more>>
Tykesha Spivey Burton
For years, I marveled at the volume of work that other writers and bloggers were capable of producing. I reasoned that they must be different, a special breed of people, in order to create such massive amounts of content. I would watch them from the sideline and become paralyzed, feeling unable and unmotivated to do anything because I reasoned in my mind that if I couldn’t it like so-and-so, it wasn’t worth doing at all. But then, one day, I came across a quote that said, “Never compare your back-end of the business to someone else’s front-end of the business.” That resonated with me deeply. I started to think about how most of us only share our highlights and wins, very rarely do we see the sacrifice and losses that led up to that win. That one quote forced me to look inward and take inventory of what was really going on with my business. I started to pay less attention to others and more attention to myself and my habits. I then discovered Brendon Burchard’s “High Performance Habits” book which helped me to understand that my lack of productivity was the result of bad habits I’d formed over the years. That book then led me to “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. “Atomic Habits” forced me to realize that I don’t have to be great all at once and that I could be more effective and productive if I increased my output by only 1% each day. One percent every day will produce an aggregate of 37%, which means that if I’m only a little more productive each day, I could scale any mountain with time. Read more>>
Brandon Ellis
I’d have to say I learned most of my work ethic from my dad. He truly is the hardest working man I know. Growing up I got to see firsthand what it meant to do a job or task until it was right, not merely until it was done. My dad was always the first to arrive for a project in the morning and the last to leave at night; he’d pick up the extra overtime shifts at his job as an aircraft mechanic that other people would pass up; he’d make sure that a home renovation had every loose end tied up before deeming it complete. I took this model from him and applied it in my own life and career. Work ethic is ultimately what will set you apart from other people, especially in the music industry. Hard work opens more doors than talent ever will. Read more>>
Cassie French
I got my work ethic from my mom. She was a single mother since I was the age of 6 years old. She was in a sales position that made her travel a lot for work. While she was traveling, I spent a lot of time being bounced around with different family members and went to a different school every single year. I saw how her hard work and time away from me was a sacrifice we both had to make because she continually moved us into nicer and nicer homes (this was in Kansas). She finally bought a big home on “the hill” which was a big deal back then. Once she achieved a lot of her goals, my step dad came in the picture and we moved to California and she no longer had to work and was able to take care of me. I was a really good athlete growing up and my parents invested a lot into my sports, pushing me to do better and better. I still remember missing a good number of free throws in a basketball game. When we got home at 10pm, my dad made me shoot 100 free throws and we were out there until 12:30am. The next morning I had to wake up at 5:30am and go to school but it showed me to work hard and keep pushing yourself because if you want to be great and stand out, you gotta do the work! Read more>>
Dominic Jordon
My work ethic came from my parents instilling it into me. When I wanted something new, whether it was a new phone (this will show my age) or an iPod, I would have to work for it and earn the money to get it. But the moment that made it so my work ethic was unstoppable was going into my senior year of high school. I was going to go into my last year of playing football, but the issue is that our whole coaching staff was replaced due to some of the coaches embezzling money. It was a wild way to go into my final year, but we had a new coaching staff who would shame them. The first thing they did was have a 6 am workout three times a week in the off-season. It was their way to set the tone for what they would expect from us. These intense workouts broke most people to the point that we had at least 30 guys willing to put in the work to drop by half to just 15 people by the start of the new season. From this, I learned that putting in the work is hard, not easy. I understand why those people dropped out of the workouts; it wasn’t a cakewalk with the workouts we were doing. Read more>>
Marisol Quintana
I get my work ethic from my Father. José Quintana, was a great businessman and always educated us in his ways of carrying out our work and conducting business. In essence, he taught us to work hard and carry out ethically sound business. Read more>>
Robert Kraft
I guess my work ethic comes from growing up in a working-poor family, and having lots of blue-collar jobs all my life. In order to survive, you just have to put your back into whatever it is that you are doing. No matter the task or the low wages or the physical discomfort, you just point yourself at the work and say, “Well, this is what we’re doing today.” And you do it. I think I apply that same work ethic to making music, acting, voice work, or working for my nonprofit organization. There is more joy and satisfaction in that kind of work, but the drive is the same. There is a kind of grim determination to everything, because none of it is going to make you rich, but some work is its own reward. When I get frustrated or stymied in my creative process, I can always say to myself, “Well, It beats digging ditches.” And I plow ahead. Read more>>
Novo Dé
I’m not exactly sure. It’s definitely some intersection of nature versus nurture, more so genetic if I had to guess. But one things for certain – it’s incredibly important – because there’s a lot of talented people in the world, a lot more than me for sure, but if they don’t have a certain level of work ethic to match or mirror that talent, than it’s very difficult, almost impossible, to get to the finish line, complete that project, or just get to any goal. Work ethic is my greatest asset and I would recommend to focus your mind to make sure that it’s yours too. Read more>>
Wendigo Woodworking
Our work ethic stems from the strong example set by our parents. They instilled in us the value of hard work from a young age, showing us that dedication and perseverance are key to achieving our goals. Their relentless commitment to their own work and responsibilities deeply influenced our approach to our projects and business. We’ve carried that same level of determination into everything we do, ensuring that we always deliver the highest quality products to our customers. Read more>>
Connor Overbay
I believe my strong work ethic comes from my family, they have always pushed me to work hard and do my best. I can remember watching my parents when they were young and new to their respective companies, they where working hard trying to make their way up the corporate ladder to put our family in a better position. After many years of blood, sweat and tears I have seen them reach the upper echelons of their companies and this has showed me that hard work and perseverance really does pay off in the long run. I also accredit a good amount my work ethic to my wife, Shannon. I watched her work multiple jobs while going to college full time and graduating with her bachelor’s degree. She has always pushed and supported me on anything I have ever wanted to pursue. Without her I would not have had the confidence to start the podcast. Read more>>
Tamie Peel
I get my work ethic from my parents. They were both dedicated and extremely hard working entrepreneurs. My Dad was a truck driver and owned his own trucking business, and my Mom was a hair stylist and owned and operated her own salon. Read more>>
Leonard Samuels
Raised by a single mother who had to work in order to feed me and procure for the household. I always felt impressed by her work ethic. She was able to manage a 9 to 5 job and took pride at what she did and never took a day off or a sick day. Having that example as a child was super important to me. So no matter what I do for my company, I always give it 110% because nothing is ever not important. That’s at least what my mom taught me by example. Read more>>
Jed Alexander
By falling flat on my face and making mistakes along the way, and then picking myself up and learning from those setbacks. It’s human to obsess and fixate on the negative. There’s nothing wrong with a little of that. In fact, I find it healthy to analyze and dissect (to a point) what might have gone wrong without damaging one’s self-esteem. We need to identify and self-reflect our own idiosyncrasies and flaws. This helps us grow and makes us even more grounded and human. Once that part of the journey has passed though, you have to dive right back in and not look back regardless of potential future setbacks. Nothing is ever guaranteed. There was a moment in my life where I lost multiple sources of job security and income in a very short time. I was also behind in my bills and dealing with some debt. A tidal wave of one event after the other. For me personally this was rock-bottom. It does sound cliche, but that feeling of everything floating away in such a short time can play mental tricks on someone’s psychological and physical well-being. Read more>>
Alissa Howard
My work ethic comes from being surrounded by great role models growing up. My parents worked incredibly hard to raise me intentionally and in ways that differed from parts of their experience that they found challenging. They were both the first in their families to put themselves through college. They consistently advocated for themselves and for me. They told me that I could truly do anything and that gender didn’t matter. My mom, atypical of mothers in her generation, always worked and she loved it. When I got my first job offer, I knew how to (and always to) negotiate because of my mom. Most people don’t seem to have received that advice from either of their parents. I also had a few amazing teachers and professors who helped shape me. If you’re not early, you’re late. If you’ve already been given the answer, it’s on you to look harder for it. It’s not always true that simply working harder will yield certain results, but it will always make you better. Read more>>
Miriam Edgar
I’m a former Middle School and High School Orchestra Director, so long days are not foreign to me. As a fiber and dye artist, I really get my motivation to make every moment count from all the methods I’ve learned and am still learning how to do. 80% of my current work uses thrifted items that would have ended up in landfills, and sometimes I find some really funky items to dye. Often I find perfectly good items that have a stain on them, so the location of the stain and what kind of item I’m working on inspires me on a daily basis. When my pieces are sold I find so much joy when the purchaser sends me photos of my work in action. To repurpose clothing, tables cloths, linens, etc. by making them into art gives me a daily drive to keep it up and to always be looking for new ideas and inspiration! I’m incredibly grateful to my friends, family, and community for the continued support as I continue on my artistic journey, and their positive and constructive feedback has also helped my extrinsic drive to work towards exploring the possibilities. Read more>>
Trevoir Williams
I get my work ethic from my parents, who have been incredible role models. My mother is a dedicated teacher, and my father is a devoted clergyman. Growing up, I watched both of them work tirelessly to provide for our family and serve their communities with unwavering commitment. My mother taught me the importance of education and the value of hard work in achieving one’s goals. She always emphasized that knowledge is the key to success and that there are no shortcuts to genuine achievement. Her passion for teaching and dedication to her students showed me that true fulfillment comes from giving your best effort in everything you do. On the other hand, my father taught me the significance of integrity and perseverance. His work as a clergyman involved long hours and a deep sense of responsibility and compassion for others. He instilled in me the belief that hard work is not just about personal gain but about making a positive impact on the lives of others. Together, my parents demonstrated that a strong work ethic is built on a foundation of honesty, dedication, and a genuine desire to contribute to the greater good. Their example has guided my approach to work and life, inspiring me to always strive for excellence and to appreciate the value of putting in a good and honest shift. Read more>>
Cierra Livingston
A big part of where I get my work ethic from was growing up playing sports my whole life and being a competitive athlete. It teaches you a lot of discipline and to not give up when you mess up or fall down. That if you keep trying and have a strong work ethic you can become great. Also facing adversity and challenges in my childhood too taught me how to overcome them and learn to never give up when life got hard. Not everything came easy to me growing up, and I had to learn that failing wasn’t always a bad thing. That all the trial and error taught me how to have discipline and a strong work ethic to keep going till I succeeded. That If I worked hard enough at what I was passionate about in life I could achieve anything. I saw my parents have a great work ethic growing up as well, and that attributed to my own growth and character. Working on having a strong work ethic in all areas of my life really helped my growth as a person. Overtime I was able to practice and build those skills and habits along my journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Read more>>
