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.
Ell
My work ethic comes from loving what I do. It’s not a job, it’s a career. Read more>>
Twitch Valentino
My work ethic was developed at a very young age with basketball. As a kid I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up. All I knew is that I wanted to be great, I wanted to be the very best at whatever I was doing. Growing up with my dad being a professional athlete gave me an unique perspective on competition. Read more>>
Nicole Briggs
My strong work ethic is the gift and the curse of being raised by boomer parents. They are the last generation eligible for a pension and a gold watch after 20 plus years with a company. And while that’s no longer a benefit with companies currently, it taught me to do my best, be open to loyalty and practice persistence and patience. Read more>>
Sandra Rathe
Honestly I think I developed this as far back as high school. I didn’t love sitting in a class room learning. I was always the one who wanted to be out playing sports and making things happen rather than sitting and listening. My parents were big believers that education was the most important thing and that my sister and I must be successful at school. Read more>>
Deja Craft
I’d have to say my hometown instilled a lot of the “hustle” mentality in me, New Orleans is one of those places where you make it our or you don’t and then you’re kind of stuck. My mother as well, she raised two children as a single mother in a small city, she didn’t always have the answers but she always made a way. Read more>>
Brianna Watson
This is an interesting question because I’m often forgetful that I have a good work ethic. My best friend and family remind me from time to time that my work ethic is a good one. I didn’t get my first job until I was 25 and that fell through after only 3 months, however, I have worked since then, with all jobs being completely different from one another haha. Read more>>
Garth Voisin
My work ethic and drive are both from my parents. They both showed us how important it was to have a good work ethic especially when working on things we are pursuing. Both have been successful in their businesses so replicating that is important to me. Read more>>
Doug DeLucca
I got my work ethic my father and my grandfather. My earliest work ethic memories go back to grade school. I was told and expected to get certain tasks done around the house and were measured on if the tasks were done correctly or not. Read more>>
Greg Houston
I get my work ethic from my parents– probably mostly from my father. He worked hard his whole life and, at 81, continues to work hard. He started a handyman business about 7 or 8 years ago and nothing gives him more pleasure than being up and moving around and doing something with a purpose. My mother isn’t physical in the way my dad is– by that, I mean she’s not swinging hammers. Read more>>
Travon Hawkins
I Got My Work Ethic From My Mama , Granny & Just ALL The Black Powerful Woman In My Life. Read more>>
Scott Naar
My work ethic comes from an unrelenting desire to achieve my goals and aspirations, and it also stems from a pure unfiltered love of my craft, one that is innate and is baked into my DNA to always push to do the best creative work I can. Read more>>
Andrea Van Wambeke
The women in my family were huge inspirations in developing my work ethic. My grandmother started her own insurance business in the 1970s, and my mother took over from her in the 2000s. I grew up listening to their stories about customer service and watching them work nights and weekends when their clients had emergencies. Read more>>
Taj Mattingly
Where do I get my work ethics? My parents are incredibly hard working people who set an amazing example for me to follow. They would find ways to be creative in anything they pursued and it definitely made an impression on me. Read more>>
James Carter
My work ethic has deep roots in my family’s values. We believe firmly in the importance of nurturing a passion and love for what we do. This belief is the cornerstone of our drive and dedication. My homeschooling experience, a choice my parents made, was instrumental in shaping this ethic. Read more>>
Patrick Gloster
I get my work ethic from my parents, My mom, and my dad are both hard workers. They taught me, and by brother the value of working, and be responsible. I’m glad that we were raised with great values. Read more>>
Rachel Henderson
I get my strong work ethic from my parents who taught me early the importance of working for what you want/earning the money for things ahead of time )(if at all possible to be able to pay for things without running up credit cards/wasting money on interest charged for cards. Read more>>
Chris & Karen Uchacz
My parents taught my sister and I the value of hard work and working for the things you wanted out of life – much more rewarding this way. We didn’t have a lot growing up but never could figure out how my parents gave us whatever we asked for (well almost). Read more>>
Michael Visconte
Growing up in a challenging home environment, I learned the value of hard work and determination. Limited resources meant college was a financial struggle, forcing me to carefully manage every penny to fund my education. Despite these financial constraints, I was fueled by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and creative expression. Read more>>
Bryan McClure
I have often said that I am not the strongest, I’m not the smartest, I’m not the fastest, but I am one of the hardest working people I come across. I don’t know where that drive comes from, but I have to believe that God instilled in me. Read more>>
Carson Fox
I came from a family with not much of a work ethic at all, and my response was to go the polar opposite. I also had a friend in college who was an excellent model for hard work, and I am indebted to him. I observe one certainty: there are always people in the room who are more fortunate or gifted, but I can outwork any of them. Read more>>
Tia Washington
I get my work ethic from wanting to become successful and seeing others succeed in of hopes I one day can be like that. Read more>>
Evelyn Charley
My immigrant parents, who originated from West Africa, sought a better life in the United States years ago. My father’s grueling 16-hour graveyard shifts on at least five nights per week and my mother’s commitment to two jobs defined my upbringing. Read more>>
Blake Spiegel
Growing up, I was surrounded by incredibly talented artists who set the bar high for me. I was always curious about the motivation behind art that demands someone to pour their heart, mind, and soul into it. I studied art history in search of this answer and discovered a consistent theme among many renowned artists – their selflessness and ambition to surrender to the art they were creating. Read more>>
Derek Green
I come from a long line of men in my family who have instilled in me a strong work ethic. Starting with my father being the prime example, he taught me at an early age that hard work and being consistent pays off. I was able to start my own business in property management and lawn care by taking the lessons learned not just from my father, but also my uncles, and other close family members to build a line of work that I am proud to put my name on. Read more>>
Jason Feather
I was born and raised in Eau Claire Wisconsin by a Father who was a residential realtor who worked 24/7 and a mother that raised 3 boys and worked part time when ends needed to be met. For as long as I can remember, it was normal to work, eat, sleep, repeat. And so I still follow that motto today. Read more>>
Elan Wenzel
Reflecting on my past, I learned my work ethic from watching people in my circle; I’m an observer. As a youth, I didn’t enjoy putting in the work. I typically went for the low hanging fruit. One of my first memorable experiences of working hard was the summer between Sophomore and Senior year of high school. Read more>>
Shannon Hovden
When I was 12/13 years old my grandparents owned a Dairy Queen that was ran by my mom and dad. I loved working there, the drive thru, particularly, was my favorite job to do. My grandma always says it’s “because I multitask so well and always have my hair on fire”. I had to do some convincing to my mom to show her that I could do this at my age. Read more>>
Catherine Hallam
I developed my work ethic very young, I was always interested in business and entrepreneurship. From running yard sales in my front yard at age 9 to babysitting starting at age 11. I have never really stopped working whether it was in school or everyday life. I was fortunate to be raised by two very industrious, hardworking, creative, adventurous parents who always had a project on the go and weren’t afraid of a good challenge. Read more>>
Who Else?
The music industry is a fast pace system, in order to stand out you must outwork everyone and anyone, Artist see another artist and copies what works for them. I see what artist close to me are not doing to elevate their career and I capitalize on that advantage. Read more>>
Dusty Travis
I believe that my work ethic was instilled by my mother. She was a single mom and worked so hard for my sister and me. Her primary job was teaching elementary school, but once my father left, she had to work various side jobs to help make ends meet. Read more>>
Anjali Joshi
I owe my strong work ethic to the values instilled in me by my family and upbringing. My parents and sibling have been instrumental in emphasizing the significance of hard work, responsibility, and dedication in all aspects of life. Growing up, both my mother and father, who were dedicated career professionals with unwavering work ethics, served as exemplary role models. Read more>>
Tresa Chambers
As far back as I can remember, I wanted to prove to my parents that I was able to keep up, to be self-reliant. I grew up in a working class Black family where a sense of responsibility and doing your best were exemplified by my parents. My father and mother worked to support themselves, me, and my three brothers. Read more>>
Patricia McClendon, M.D.
I mainly get my work ethic from my parents. My parents emigrated to Canada from St Vincent & the Grenadines for a better life and more opportunities. As such, they worked hard to educate themselves, and furthered their respective careers. Seeing them working hard to provide our family a better life made me realize that nothing in life is given to you, and that you have to persevere to achieve success. Read more>>
