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.
Kirsten Evans
I used to think that my relentless work ethic came from my competitiveness. Once I realised that I felt the same drive to work even when I was working on a solo project nobody else know about, I knew that there had to be another motivator. After a lot of soul searching, working to the point of burnout and now gradually building the most productive work period of my life, I now know that there are several experiences that I have had that have lead me to want to work hard. Read more>>
Alma Rojas Sanchez
I have always liked to answer this question because I have always known I get my work ethic from my dad. I can’t stop but admiring how hard my dad works. Growing up I would only see my dad twice a year at some point I didn’t see him for three years. He would work in USA doing landscaping work while my mom, sister and myself lived in Mexico. Read more>>
Heather Rae
A lot of my work ethic comes from my family. My great-grandmother moved from Norway and homesteaded on a piece of land when she was just 17. She survived an entire North Dakota winter with her only family, a brother, living over 2 miles away. My parents are both hard workers too, so I witnessed it first hand growing up. Read more>>
TreGotti
I’d say my work ethic comes from my love for adventure and wanting to see how far I can push myself. I want to see how much I can have myself grow, how much can I hone my talent, how accurate can I convey this emotion. All of that plus wanting to learn from/emulate those who inspired me, I find a way to work every single day, even if it’s from a different angle or element of my craft. Read more>>
Dat Gurl Secrete
I have been developing my work ethic since I first felt the feeling of success and achievement as a youth. Excelling academically and athletically at an early age helped me to understand the true value of hard work and establishing a strong work ethic. Read more>>
Casey Nwachukwu
– When it comes to having solid work ethic, I got this trait from my dad. – My dad was born and raised in Nigeria, where his childhood was not an easy journey. From not having consistent electricity to walking several miles to get to a destination, he never gave up. This mindset translated to his education, where he eventually got his Masters degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. Read more>>
KaShanna Hale
I believe watching my mom and dad work to provide for the family made me want to work hard. I didn’t see them complaining, they just made sure me and my sisters were taken care of. Read more>>
Dusty Reed
I got my work ethic for my business from having no other option than to follow through for my clients! Since I am typically designing for big events, there is a lot of pressure! I work as hard as a I can to produce great product and design for each event. It helps that every event is a little different so we are always keeping things fresh and that makes that excitement for the job more consistant! All in all, my work ethic comes from and for my clients! Read more>>
Emily Hope
Ever since I could remember, I’ve been a hard worker and a pursuer of excellence. But I think when this truly began was all the way back in grade school. I attended a small private school and there came a point where I was the only 4th grader in my class. Read more>>
Joseph Capalbo
I have always been passionate about music and creating something that resonates with people. This passion drives me to work hard and put in the necessary effort to write and produce high-quality songs. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love for a living and enjoy the process and have been fortunate enough to have some great mentors and role models in my life who have instilled in me the importance of hard work and dedication. Read more>>
Germyah Heart
Growing up in an underserved community builds character, strength, and perseverance. I have two ambitious, hard-working parents that have instilled core values and beliefs in my siblings and me. I did not have much growing up, but I had faith in Allah. Read more>>
Angela Kmetz
I believe I get my work ethic from my dad. Growing up, he was always working on something. He had his full time job and on the weekends he’d always be working outside in the lawn. Mowing the grass, trimming the hedges, putting the water sprinkler in the exact right spot so it reaches the whole yard. Read more>>
Ana Saldana
I can honestly say that my work ethic came from my parents. I watched my parents work everyday non stop sometimes even 7 days a week. My mother would work hard physical labor throughout her entire pregnancy. Read more>>
David Puu
My willingness to work steadily and consistently likely comes from my athletic background. Whether it was surfing, swimming, cycling or racing cars, skillset development always required consistent practice (repetition) and training out weakness(es). That led to higher performance potential in each sport. Read more>>
Holly Swoosh
The God in me, the excitement for the outcome, the excitement to show my ancestors and elders what I was able to bring forth into the universe during my time here while I’m willing and able. I have so many ideas and projects that are waiting for its debut into the world and this keeps me going because I know I have so much work to do. Read more>>
Jaime Saunders
My work ethic most definitely comes from my parents. They had me young and worked hard to provide for us. Even now, in their 60’s, they work and spend every single weekend with their grandchildren at ball games or whatever event they may have going on. They seem to have endless energy and that lets me know I can’t stop! Read more>>
Hannah Rose
My work ethic has been the driving force behind my journey as a singer, songwriter, and producer. From an early age, my parents instilled in me the values of perseverance and fighting for my dreams. Despite facing countless rejections, their wisdom propelled me forward, reminding me that one “yes” can change everything. Read more>>
Anastasia Enikeeva
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the valuable lessons I learned from my mother, who was a successful entrepreneur. Growing up in an environment where hard work, dedication, and passion were the driving forces behind her achievements, I imbibed these values from a young age. Additionally, throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working for remarkable individuals who were not just my bosses but also mentors. Read more>>
Derrick McGuire
I grew up outside of a small town in Wyoming where I had many hands-on responsibilities. I learned of the satisfaction in taking in the fruits of labor after a long day of work. Further, my first few jobs were all in the restaurant industry where applying the same ethics yielded a positive outcome. After becoming paralyzed at 17 years old, this formula again proved helpful in quickly getting back up to speed. Read more>>
Jesse Sunga
My work ethic stems from witnessing the audience having a great time. You never know if somebody has been going thru a tough time and is attending a show to forget about their problems for a few hours. Realizing this makes me want to give 110% to the music I play. Read more>>
Vanessa Narvios
Undoubtedly, from my mother. My mother works in the healthcare industry where long shifts are the norm and you’re expected to work nights, weekends, holidays or whatever is asked of you. She worked so incredibly hard to give my sister and I every opportunity in life and her work ethic couldn’t help be transfer over to my sister and I. Read more>>
Rick Griggs
My father was military that he carried over to his home life. It was disciplined and we were expected to contribute with chores around the house. We were taught that you work for what you want and not to expect things for free. My first job was when I was in the third grade. Read more>>
Elizabeth Skwiot
Though I didn’t live on farms as a kid, I spent countless hours on them as I come from a family with a long farming tradition. All of my mother’s siblings lived on farms, so I was surrounded by people who worked hard, long hours. In fact, all of these farms had jobs in addition to farming. Working hard is simply what was done. Read more>>
Norman BA$E
The struggle The environment I grew up in .. I never ever want to live like that again … so all I know is to Hustle Read more>>
Abigail Litthachack
I want to answer three questions in one: where did you get your resilience, work ethic, and generosity? And my short answer is my mommy and baba (I do not care how old I get… it’s mommy). My parents are both refugees that escaped the Vietnam War and created an entire empire and kingdom for my siblings and I to explore. Read more>>
James Cox
I’ve always been brought up being taught if you do you something do it correctly. My dad is a retired colonel in the Air Force and he always did whatever he did and 100%. He could look down anybody because if he did, it would be real bad. Read more>>
Jessica Whitmire
It’s Sunday morning at our small family owned outfitter. The river is up from last night’s rain and the busy hustle of a summer day hasn’t set in yet. Coffee is still warm and I am doing a morning sweep through the shop to see what needs attention, restocked or refolded. Read more>>
Matthew Hinsley
Music is a wise and gentle teacher. I started playing violin wen I was three. Along the way I discovered cello, and piano, and some wind instruments, but when I found guitar at age ten I really connected. I’d go on to study classical guitar in high school, college, and graduate school, practicing thousands of hours, and developing a deep lifelong relationship with the art and with work. Read more>>
Kristina Garcia
My work ethic stems from the reason I started my business, and that’s my son. My son is my why he is the reason I have Little Fish Soaps. Although my son is still small I want him to see his mama always working to make her plans and dreams come to fruition. It’s important for me to show him that if you work hard, and you put your absolute love and best into what you do, you can make anything happen. Read more>>
Soo Lee
My work ethic comes from my parents. I grew up in an immigrant household where both parents worked. My parents immigrated from South Korea in the 80’s to America not knowing the culture or language. That did not stop them from providing and giving their family a better opportunity. Through the hard times, I always resort back to what my parents have gone through and that gives me the resilience to keep going. Read more>>
Chris Stell
I have had my work ethic for a very long time. Owning a graphics business make me become organized and realize how important it was to be on top of everything. From business to creating it all has to work together. Organization is key. Don’t get overwhelmed. If you have a plan it can change but you have a direction to start and it’s much easier. You need to remember there is more to art than creating. Read more>>
Puja Rios
As a first-generation American from a proud, educated, driven Indian family, I was born to work hard. Most children of immigrant families will tell you hard work, education, ambition, and the duality of the beautiful yet heavy weight of our families’ expectations have created us—for good or bad—in the image of those who achieve. Read more>>
Lori Peterson
I come from a long line of hard workers. My mom and dad , grandparents, aunt, uncles, ect. did not mind being in the trenches getting their hands dirty. Watching them time and again put forth effort and seeing the results inspired me.. I come from a family of “doers” not talkers. Read more>>
Laurie McDermott
My dad. When I was a child, I would see my dad go to work and come home five days a week. And he always came home. Happy. Later, when I was 11, my dad took me to work with him for a single day. He was in sales. And all he did was walk in to offices and talk to the girls at the front desk. Read more>>
Dynasti Smith-Malone
To be honest, my work ethic came from a mixture of events, but developed mostly from two things, and that was the feeling of never being good enough, and believing that there was always someone else out working me. Growing up and participating in sports had developed in me a sense of competition and workmanship that has followed me throughout my life. So has people pleasing. Though I am a great sport, I never liked losing. Read more>>
Perry Picasshoe
I would have to say that I get my work ethic from my parents. They are both Mexican immigrants who have worked hard for decades to provide and care for me and my siblings. They are some of the most hardworking individuals I know. They have taught me to always be hardworking and take pride in the work I create, no matter how small the task it should be handled with care and attention. Read more>>
Sheila “Nefertiti” Montas
Honestly, I feel like my work ethic came from watching my parents work hard to make sure we lived a comfortable life as kids. My mom worked long hours, sometimes even worked overnights as a teachers aid where she would bring my sisters and I along with her to spend the night there. My father also worked long hours as well & regardless of how many long hours they put in at work they still did what was needed to be done at home for us even if they were tired. Read more>>
Zylia Knowlin
My work ethic comes from my family experiences. It comes from seeing my parents doing their best at any and everything they do. It comes from years of seeing examples of diligence and preservation. My parents showed me that through hard work you can achieve anything. Read more>>
Eric Vasquez
From doing chores to getting my first job, my work ethic is a direct result of my parents’ influence. Furthermore, when I was 18 years old, I joined the US Air Force, and over the course of 24 years of service, I learned time management and resource management, which greatly contributed to the work ethic I have today. Read more>>
Alicia Resendes Knox
My parents were a big influence into how I’ve developed my work ethic throughout my career. They grew up with little means and worked hard to get to where they are today. I was able to witness this firsthand and learned how important it is to put your everything into what you do. Read more>>
Cooper Nigut
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values and principles instilled in me by my parents. They have been the driving force behind my hard-working mentality, and I am incredibly grateful for their influence in shaping my approach to work and life. From a young age, they emphasized the importance of dedication, perseverance, and taking pride in one’s efforts. Read more>>
Ashley Brown
My work ethic started as a young child stemming from being in Gymnastic growing up. Competition and tryouts gave me the drive to never be out worked, out skilled out trained or unable to emotionally control my feelings during competition. Read more>>
Dr. Derrick R. Zachary
I was born in a small town called Opelousas in Louisiana. Imagine it is as small and rural as you are thinking. Whatever you think, I called it home until my dad died tragically, and my mom moved to Atlanta. Before my dad went to heaven, I had the opportunity to learn from him, impacting my life tremendously. Read more>>
Vinnie Fallico
My work ethic is rooted in my love for the craft and my desire to create great work. I am driven by the satisfaction that comes from capturing compelling visuals, telling meaningful stories, and leaving a lasting impact on the audience. It’s the passion and dedication that fuel my work ethic and push me to constantly strive to get a little better everyday. Read more>>
