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.

Artem Tikhonenko

Work ethic was instilled in me from an early age, and I was always shown the value of persistence and dedication. I owe my strong work ethic to both my mom and dad, who demonstrated firsthand what it means to work hard and never give up. Read More>>

Courtney Archibald

I can trace my desire to work and succeed back to my adventures in babysitting, during my formative years. I noticed the parents and their littles were not just a means to a end for me. Each babe had unique quirks and interests and they were helplessly dependent on me to feel safe. Keeping them alive was the baseline, the minimum that was being asked of me, but what if I could create a whimsical, playful, world-within-a-world for them while their folks were gone? Read More>>

Kori Steadman

Growing up, I was very fortunate to have both of my parents lead by example. My dad served in the U.S Army for 25 years, and my mom always had a job or multiple jobs at once.

From a very young age, I remember the determination and all around drive both of my parents had to provide for myself and my 2 siblings. My parents made sure that we did not ever go without, and I am very grateful for how hard my parents worked and continue to do so years later. Read More>>

Noriko Yasui

My work ethic comes from my journey as an immigrant woman of color. Moving to the U.S. as an international student from Japan at 18 and earning a degree from San Francisco State University was a huge accomplishment, but it also came with many challenges. I often felt insecure due to language and cultural differences, and after graduating, working as a legal assistant only heightened those feelings. However, those struggles pushed me to work harder and prove to myself that I could overcome any obstacle. Read More>>

Bedford Towers

From wanting to have the freedom from working a conventional job and wanting to have a book of my photography in every bookstore in the country. Read More>>

Clarence White

My work ethic comes from my family, my team, and life-lessons growing up. As a young man I would always see my family taking care of business and never complaining about any of there struggles or rough days. As I grew up I learned it was easier to get the job done then to procrastinate and push off the task, because it would never get done. Read More>>

Darylanne Stadler

I have 4 parents. As an adult I feel like it completely shaped how I view success. Both of my parents had remarried when I was around 7. And they went about their lives completely different from each other. My mom remarried to my step dad who was a blue collar worker and was only ever happy being able to provide for the family. His motto “work hard, it’ll pay off”. He and my mother didn’t really dwell on college because in their eyes, you get a skill, work somewhere with good benefits, you’re set. Read More>>

Jonah Bokaer

I grew up in New York State being raised by 2 families from two deep, different, quite disparate cultures: but among them was an uncommonly hardworking family of Tunisian (North African) immigrants who embarked on a suite of entrepreneurial businesses and properties supporting the Arts within a specific New York State community adjacent to Cornell University. What I believe this upbringing did, for me, is instill a rare ability to work with levels of stamina and duration that are unusual. I say this because that side of the family’s capacities for work were just that – unusual. Read More>>

Melton Mustafa

I definitely get my work ethic from my father Melton Mustafa Sr. and my uncle Jesse Jones Jr. Read More>>

Philip Gel

From looking at corporations and wanting to be antithetical to that. Read More>>

Raegan Parker

If I had to use one phrase that encapsulates the essence of my work ethic, it would be, “figure it out”. This is something I can remember hearing from my father at a very young age. Any problem I needed to overcome or task I wanted to complete could be answered with this essential phrase. And to some this may sound a tad unempathetic, but for me, it’s what I attribute to becoming a problem solver. Read More>>

Rebecca Bender

I got it from my mama. LOL No, but really. I come from a line of women who have always been hard workers. My grandmother taught swim lessons to children up until she was 80 years old. My mother built her own career for decades. My aunts were school teachers and nurses. Watching them all work hard and find passion in the things they love, gave me great examples to look at. Read More>>

Gail Corso

I believe my work ethic has come from many sources but the major influencer has to be my father. He was a very driven man. My father was an engineer and was very technical but also creative. He was what you would call an “A” type personality. Driven to get a job done and a bit of a perfectionist. Read More>>

Ilka Nazario, Md

I would say I got my work ethic from my upbringing, I was born and raised in Puerto Rico where things do not come easy. My parents are both hard working people. I never experienced them taking anything for granted or slacking in their jobs. They both showed me responsibility and integrity. I have developed my morals through the years with the help of my Catholic faith. Read More>>

Jenny Meza

For as long as I can remember, when I get an idea, it completely takes over my mind until I bring it to life. I tend to hyper-fixate on things, and in the context of my business, that works in my favor. My business is always on my mind—I’m constantly coming up with new ideas, and once I fixate on one, I try to work day and night to make it happen. Read More>>

Kristin Vanderlip Taylor

I believe my work ethic is generational, as I was raised by parents and grandmothers who were loving, supportive, and dedicated to helping others. I saw my parents’ work ethic as inherited from their own folks. My grandparents lived through the Great Depression and were hardworking and economical out of necessity, fixing things that broke rather than replacing them and saving for things they really needed. Each of them modeled the value of hard work and care through love and tenacity. Read More>>

Linda Mauro

My work ethic comes from my parents and upbringing. I grew up watching them work while raising three daughters, which taught me the value of perseverance and responsibility. I’ve always pushed through challenges, and that’s where my work ethic comes from. Read More>>

Minnie Ma

My work ethic is something I owe to my family. Growing up, my parents led by example—they didn’t just work hard to make a living, they worked hard to be excellent at what they did. They poured passion and dedication into everything, and that mindset naturally rubbed off on me. They also had this golden rule: ‘Try everything, fail often, learn always.’ So, from an early age, I was encouraged to take risks, embrace mistakes, and treat every misstep as a stepping stone rather than a setback. Read More>>

Jordan Pratt

I was raised in Uniontown, PA a place where opportunity and resources are almost non existent. My mom was able to raise three smart, driven, and caring kids by herself, all while working three jobs to keep a roof over our heads. At times taking in cousins who needed to live with us for a while. This taught me hard work. I want and need to change the family dynamic for generations. Read More>>

Meghan Balkan

I think my work ethic comes from my parents and my husband. I grew up in a working class family which meant both of my parents worked outside the home as long as I can remember. My dad is a self employed brick and stone mason. He started working at 10 years old as an apprentice to master brick mason and never stopped working. My mom is the oldest of 5 siblings and a coda (hearing child to deaf parents). Read More>>

Ashley Wilson

When you have your own business work ethic is a given. In the staging business, you have no room for inconsistency, being late, or not showing up for something that is on the schedule. Movers are scheduled, photos are scheduled, and the property is scheduled to go on the market. I value peoples time and in turn hope they value ours. It’s all about respect for your profession and others. Read More>>

Carlos I Barriga

I believe coming from a different country and different culture, it gives a different life prespective coming to The United States. Responsability and great attitude opens a lot of doors but more importantly my work ethic comes from family roots. Read More>>

Colton Conner

I get my work ethic and motivation from a very strong desire to create music at a high level to bring God glory. From a young age, I have always loved drums and music. I have devoted many many hours to my craft and it is rewarding to see projects come alive. My life’s passion is to play music for the Lord and each and everyday I want to improve my skills and get just 1% better. Read More>>

Daisuke Konno

The most important thing for me when playing music is to always improvise in a natural state because I think that’s the best way to entertain the audience and communicate with them intimately. In order to perform in a way that satisfies the audience, I need to build good relationships with each band member, and in order to do that, I need to understand the feelings and thoughts of the people around me. To do that, I also try to keep myself in good physical and mental health. In other words, I think it’s important to always enjoy life and not be stressed. Read More>>

Federico Cali

My work ethic is rooted in the belief that I should always deliver the same level of service and dedication that I would expect to receive. I understand that people generally aren’t concerned about your personal challenges—whether you’re sick, sad, or dealing with difficulties. What matters to them is your ability to maintain a consistent and reliable work ethic. Read More>>

Lindy Bishop

Work was an essential part of growing up in a family of six kids. Everyone was expected to pitch in with daily chores and seasonal responsibilities to take care of meals, the house and yard. My Father on a teacher’s income and Mother’s work unpaid (ski patroller and stay-at-home mom) meant the sooner you could work outside of the home and buy your own clothes and things the better. Read More>>

Lorenzo Viney

I’ve always had a strong work ethic for almost my whole life, it’s something that I take heavy pride in. Back home I started my own handyman service where people would give me projects like furniture or repairs and I would just work non stop. I would spend endless hours creating beds, desks, cabinets, anything that people didn’t feel like doing I did all the hard work for them. This desire to work, especially anything hands on, is like a supportive addiction that only grows with time. Read More>>

Megan Bye

As the first member of my immediate family to complete both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, I don’t take lightly the opportunity I’ve had to work in a field that I not only love, but one that nurtures my creativity. It’s a privilege that I hold close every day. Read More>>

Pierre Guy

When I was 19 years old I left my family and moved to another country to experience life. Starting out having no money and determined to make it on my own I have had to work in a lot of different fields, meeting a lot of different people with different backgrounds, cultures and age.
I’m finding myself constantly using all of these experiences to level up my game. I have always tried to be the best and put all my passion in anything I do, but always respecting the people that I was working with and for. Read More>>

Haiden Bentley

My work ethic is rooted in the conviction that with determination and focus, I can accomplish any goal I pursue. Read More>>

Kendra Sebert

I struggled in school. I got pretty good grades because I was a cheerleader and dancer so I had to keep them up but the actual work load was hard for me. I wouldn’t say I had good “work ethic” back then because I was not very interested in it. I had work ethic once I left school and got jobs that I cared for. Once I found things I truly cared about even when it seemed silly to others, I cared for it which made me work even harder when doing it. Read More>>

Nancy Dillingham Marks

From my parents. Doing my best and giving it my all. Read More>>

Ryan Stewart

I attribute my strong work ethic to my mother. For as long as I can remember, she has been self-employed, dedicating long days and nights to her photography studio—editing photos, managing the countless details of running a business, and raising her children. Watching her balance these responsibilities was both inspiring and humbling. Read More>>