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.
Ana Aguirre Cavazos
I truly believe that work ethic is a learned behavior. I come from true salt of the earth ancestors, as many of us do.
Living in a humble family who worked hard to put food on the table for five children and survive on a day to day basis, I internalized the mentality that nothing is free and that “nothing changes if nothing changes” We had to be the conduit of our own energy. Read more>>
Brittany Yeary
I get my work ethic from my parents. They were teenage parents who later divorced, and I ended up living with my mom and my step-dad, Bill. They were incredibly hard-working individuals, despite neither of them attending college. My step-dad, whom I fondly called Dad, worked at the Saturn plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. But his dedication didn’t stop there. To afford sending my brother to a local private school, he would clean the gym at night and on weekends. Read more>>
Kristin Rademacher
My commitment & dedication to my craft most definitely came from watching my father from as early as I can remember accomplish a great deal. Whether it was for the betterment of our family and home or for one of the many in our small town community, he taught me that commitment and hard work would yield exceptional results. My parents had 5 children on two public school teachers salaries — very little had to go a long way and putting in your best efforts for yourself contributed to the bigger picture for the family. Gene Rademacher worked his entire life educating in the public school system along w/ coaching high school sports, running his own business as an independent contractor/builder, and later in retirement he was publicly voted into office as the president of the public school board. Watching this man tackle all these roles has always inspired me to move forward, set goals and keep persevering despite intense challenges and hardships. Read more>>
Akshay Tiwari
As a designer, the lines between work and play often get blurry which always brings work ethic into question as discipline is not something generally assumed to result in creative genius. But for me personally, work ethic stems from curiosity and being acutely aware of which aspects of my craft I wish to elevate. Design is part sport, part profession so keeping at it with a focused curiosity became second nature once I truly found a flow that balances the fun with the challenge of it. Read more>>
Emma Lulloff
I attribute my strong work ethic to the environment I was raised in. My parents were incredibly motivated individuals who worked extremely hard for what they had, and to ensure that we not only had everything we needed but also the extra things that made our childhood special. I grew up surrounded by determined people who demonstrated the importance of perseverance, hard work, and dedication. Their example has instilled in me the understanding that true success requires effort, determination, and a commitment to not give up even when things don’t go your way. I carry these values with me in everything I do, and they continue to drive me to achieve my goals. Read more>>
Jim Kowalski
From the time I was 12 years old I’ve been working. I didn’t grow up rich so I knew from a young ago if I wanted something I’d have to work for it myself. Read more>>
Gianni Logan, Mba
I started working at the age of 14 because my parents weren’t able to provide me with certain needs. My family struggled financially. Because of this, I knew that if I wanted to have certain experiences in life, I would have to make a way to have these things on my own. Unfortunately, when I started working as a teenager, all of the money I made was not spent on getting the things that I needed and wanted. I had to help my parents. Taking on financial responsibility within my family at such a young age has played a significant role in the woman that I am today. I believe it’s the reason why I’m so ambitious and will stop at nothing to achieve success in life. Helping my family at such a young age is also the reason why I truly enjoy serving others, doing whatever I can to add value in someone one else’s life. Read more>>
James Thornton
My work ethic comes from 3 main places. First being my mother. As a child I watched her work multiple jobs. Some at the same time all while caring for myself and my older sister and then taking on the task of returning to and finishing school. Til this day sometimes I ask her HOW and she says I HAD TO and that’s how I feel most days. Which leads me to rwason 2 .. my children. I am the start and stop of everything with them so I have to keep going for them at all times no matter what. And in terms of music my work ethic comes from my competitive nature. I want to make the best music for me and the people who feel me so I stay studying and learning and adapting with my craft to try and unlock new moments to share with listeners Read more>>
Anne Fishkin
My dad. My father’s always been one that instilled with me that hard work pays off. As I’ve grown older, I have reframed that to a more gentle “where energy goes energy flows” mentality. My dad always pushed for his 8 kids to have a better life than he did. He worked hard and launched his own business in medicine in Greeley Colorado that has now expanded to serve all of Northern Colorado, some of Denver, and Wyoming. He also always taught me that you “catch more flies with honey not salt” so while you can work hard, you should also, be kind. Read more>>
Andrea Parker
I’ve always had a strong desire to live an amazing life, driven by the urge to realize my true potential and inspire others to do the same.
What truly motivates me is the thought of looking back on my life and knowing that I really went for it—that I created a life worth living and allowed myself to experience it to the fullest. Read more>>
Cassidy Bowman
My work ethic is rooted in my family’s background; my parents and all three siblings own and manage businesses and investment properties. From a young age, I was taught the value of hard work and continuous learning. Interestingly, I am the only creative one in my family, which meant that when I founded BoCo Designs, I encountered a steep learning curve. Every day, I strive to enhance my skills and tackle the challenges of running a business. Read more>>
Kiersten Diggs
It’s about consistency. Making sure you have laid out in an organized doable fashion all the things you need to do each day and accomplishing that. It’s more important to consistently finish all your tasks than to give yourself more than you can accomplish because you will always feel lacking. Read more>>
Charity Gee
My work ethic was instilled in me by my father. Not so much with words, but with his strong example of hard work. My entire life, I’ve watched him work harder than anyone I’ve ever met. Waking up every day in the early morning hours and working long days at a physically demanding job to provide for his family. Through illness, injury, and exhaustion, I can’t even recall a time he took a sick day. Throughout his career he perfected his craft and became the go-to person for those of all experience levels. He trained and mentored many of his younger peers and demonstrated unwavering loyalty to his employer. He deserved much more recognition than he received but this quiet, soft-spoken man would never complain. To this day, he continues to offer support to anyone and everyone, and never complains no matter the situation. I’ve learned so much from him, and there is no greater example of work ethic than my dad. Read more>>
Andreas Schmidt
My parents always encouraged me to be the best I could be from a very young age, which meant getting the best grades and as many achievements as possible. I would work hard in school, work to get the lead roles in every school play, train the hardest to be the best runner in Track and ultimately, make the best apple pie known to man. Read more>>
Marissa Gámez
My drive and determination that is my work ethic comes from a combination of my upbringing and life experiences. Growing up as a 2nd Generation Mexican-American, I was always inspired by my family’s resilience and hard work. My time in the Navy also played a significant role in shaping my discipline and determination. Being stationed on the U.S.S. Nimitz and working in demanding fields like nuclear propulsion and later with the JAG Corps taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability. These experiences instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and a drive to continuously improve myself, which I’ve carried into every aspect of my life, including the journey of building Míra Matcha. Read more>>
Tony Carpenter
My work ethic comes from a thought.. what thought? The thought of living my last days wandering what if… I don’t believe I need to explain any deeper than that.. Read more>>
Allen Christian
Looking at my life, this is a three part answer.
First, I am the sixth of nine children from a lower to middle class family. In order for our house to function, we all had a job to do and in order to make any money, I figured out how to create work that would put money in my pocket. Read more>>
Tala Achi Mueller
My work ethic comes largely from a combination of my upbringing and my personal values. Growing up, I watched my parents work multiple concurrent jobs to provide for our family. Watching them balance so many responsibilities made me realize the importance of commitment and resilience. They balanced work while being present and engaged in our family life, showing me that it is possible to work hard and still enjoy life experiences. This balance is something I strive to maintain in my own life- working diligently but also making time for what matters most. Read more>>
Cristina Cotruta
Developing My Work Ethic:
My work ethic has been deeply influenced by a blend of personal experiences and cultural values. Growing up in Moldova, my family instilled in me the belief that resilience and hard work are fundamental to overcoming challenges. This foundational belief has been a guiding force throughout my career. Read more>>
Christina & Eddie Sledge
We developed our work ethic pretty early on. My husband, Eddie was a soldier in the Untied States Army at twenty-one years old. I went alone to obtain a summer job when I was 14 years old and waited in line for over 12 hours. We both learned hard work from our parents. Additionally, from our military service and our life as an Army family we learned hard work, dedication, initiative, sacrifice, effective communication, patience, resilience, collaboration and resolve—which are also qualities needed to become entrepreneurs. Read more>>
Jeffrey Davis
Great question. Work ethic is surely one of the more important behaviors of success for entrepreneurs, and yet this question takes a step back to examine where it comes from. For me, my work ethic derives from mostly three influences: a self-employed father, intense poverty, and a mentor in my twenties. Read more>>
Anna Mesman
My work ethic stems from my parents. I have been lucky, and still am, to be close to both of them. Both have worked and been able to work their entire lives. My mother was a nurse for 47 years. Always a smile on her face when going to work. My love for the Arts comes from my father who also studied Art History. Initially I started with Law school, but within a few months I noticed this is not me. My parents were the ones to tell me ‘Why not study Art history? Lets worry about the future later’. It has kept me going during my years of study and afterwards when I got a lot of nay-sayers and raised eyebrows as to why I would study Art History. Work ethic for me is also related to do what you love and don’t focus only on what others paint as the perfect picture. Isn’t the perfect picture different to everyone? Read more>>
Meryl Meisler
My parents, Jack Meisler and Sunny (Sylvia) Meisler née Schulman, were honest, hard-working people who modeled and instilled strong work ethics in my older brother Kenneth, younger brother Mitchell, and me, the middle child. Dad was a printer. As newlyweds, Jack and Sylvia worked to save money so Jack could open his own business, Excel Printing Company. Dad worked six days a week, 12-hour days including his commuting time, was kind and genuinely interested in his customers and employees, and took pride in his work. In the 1950s, Sunny became a full-time mom who did volunteer work. When my younger brother Mitch was in school, she wanted to return to work to help save for our college educations. At first, Sunny sold auto parts to gas stations and then started Genée Cosmetics, a small business, with her friend Helene. Then, she began her full-time job as a “head hunter,” an employment counselor specializing in accountants. Sunny’s pseudonym as a head hunter was Marion Hale. She especially loved finding jobs for women. Marion excelled as a head hunter. To this day, my siblings’ families and I employ an accountant our mom found a job for. They encouraged us to take the opportunity they never had because of growing up in poverty to go to college and pursue the profession of our choice. Ken became a sports podiatrist. Mitch parlayed his journalism background into finance. When I told my parents I wanted to become an art major, they said fine under the condition that I got a teaching degree so I could always make a living. We all became successful and respected in our chosen fields while having our hobbies, passions, family, and friends. Mom and Dad taught us to be honest, reliable, tenacious, and take pride and joy in our work. We inherited our work ethic from our parents. Read more>>
Katie Hawkins
I owe my work ethic to my parents who instilled in me a simple but powerful principle: always do my best. I didn’t need to be the best – I just had to do my best.
This mindset showed up the most in sports. I wasn’t a child prodigy but I knew how to work hard and always put in my best effort. Even when I lost, I never stayed down for long. I knew I had given it my all and if it wasn’t enough, that only fueled my drive to get back to practice and make sure my best was better next time. Read more>>
Shyreen Lowe
I can credit my work ethic to growing up around working mothers. Whether it was my mom, or my aunts and older cousins, I have always had an example of hard working woman. I wanted to continue that cycle, and I promised myself I would always make them proud of me. So, I started working fresh out of high school and I haven’t stopped. I don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon either. Now that I have created something that I am proud of myself for, I am working twice as hard and I love it. Read more>>
Matt Rogers
I suppose the work ethic of my parents and grandparents played a big part of that. They taught me that nothing comes easy, and you have to work everyday to achieve your goals. They taught me to never give up and keep pushing toward your goals. I’ve learned that lesson many times over being in this industry. It takes a lot of resilience and determination to keep going sometimes, but I’ve learned to keep focused and keep my eyes on the goal. Read more>>
Rochelle Janecek
I was born into a immigrant family in Southern California, and my parents set the example of hard work paired with humility. Both my parents worked not only in their jobs full time, they volunteered and served in the community helping others. As a child, we went wherever they did so we got to see and also help doing acts of service in various forms. Watching and participating truly instilled in me a drive and desire to help others. It showed me that hard work, combined with a kind and generous heart, can bring incredible purpose to one’s life. Read more>>
Geechie Poet
When you love what you do and have a true passion for it, you don’t view it as work. Thats how my journey has played out over time. From the time I started to write as a teenager, I felt like the rhyme couldn’t be walked away from until it was completed. However if we fast forward to present day its a little different. Its ok to put your best effort into your work and if thats all you can come up with at that time its fine to give it a break and come back. Read more>>
Tony Rodriguez
My work ethic stems from my father. He came to this country with very little and built his own business from the ground up. He was very successful, and I had the opportunity to grow up around him. That go-getter mindset was modeled for me at home. It wasn’t just about his work; it was everything he did—he took pride in all of it. From cooking to his bonsai trees to his tidy home, he was balanced in all aspects of life and still managed to attend all my baseball games. He has been my main source of inspiration and hero since I was a kid. Read more>>
Sarah Cuddy
Music has always been a part of my life; my father played a variety of instruments and sang, and we often made music as a family when I was growing up. As I got older and wanted to do more as a musician, I joined my school’s choir program and started entering music competitions with UIL and TMEA. Read more>>
Beth West
All of my lessons in hard work came from my parents. Both of them worked hard at everything they did whether it was their jobs, volunteer work, or daily home life. The question they often asked me was “Did you do the best that you could?” I’ve used that as my guide throughout my life. Whether it was my previous career as a teacher, my job as a mother or my own business, I have always strived to work as hard as my parents. Now with running my own business, I often joke, ” if you want to work as hard as you ever have in your life, start your own business!” A strong work ethic is essential for owning your own business. The buck always stops with you! Read more>>
Carly Taylor
My work ethic is definitely a combination of intrinsic motivation and from my family. Growing up my parents both worked extremely hard. My dad traveled most of the year for his job to provide us a great life and my mom took care of us day in and day out. I saw their sacrifice and what they gave up for my siblings and I. Read more>>
Jack Lutz
This question is so funny because I actually get it from an entirely unrelated place. I actually get it from my middle school and high school days of running cross country. I ran for one of the best teams in the state, and from middle school my coach made me understand the importance of work ethic. A day not training and progressing forward, is a day wasted. I soon applied that concept to my own music and guitar playing, and still to this day follow those words. Read more>>
Aj Eckstein
My work ethic is a direct reflection of the lessons my parents instilled in me from the very beginning. I can confidently say that the drive and determination I carry today are the results of witnessing their relentless pursuit of success and their unwavering commitment to their passions. Read more>>
Timothy Massey
My father, Harlan Massey, never finished high school. Yet, throughout his life he was bound and determined to remain curious, learn and work toward goals. After I, for illogical reasons, decided to pursue an Art degree in college, he told me (to paraphrase) “I don’t know much about Art, but I do know that if you want to have success in your goal you’ll have to work hard for it”. He also told me that as long as it was something I loved to do, it would never feel like work. I approached my studies in that manner and found enjoyable success at the junior college I attended. When I transferred to a larger 4-year university I realized that my new classmates were rather advanced in their abilities compared to my own, and that I would need to work twice as hard to reach their level. I got there and kept going. From a Bachelors degree to a Graduate degree and onward to a teaching career in Art and producing artworks, I’ve tried to maintain the goal of progressively elevating my practice. Read more>>
Russell Sun Eagle
For me, I believe my work ethic developed when I started doing Jiu Jitsu. I remember going to my first practice and being humbled very quickly. That first practice, I was being tossed around and submitted the entire time. When grappling for that first time it felt like I was drowning. It’s like how you just keep pushing yourself up enough to get some air to breathe, but it’s just always not enough because my training partners, had the energy to keep going and pushing themselves when I didn’t. After that first practice, I felt really bad about how I did and even wondered about coming back to next day. After practice, I realized what kind of community I was in. Everyone came up to me and told me good job and told me to keep coming back. They were all very encouraging and wanted to see me come back. So I did. I kept going back every day and it also helped motivate me to do even more to get better at jiu jitsu. I started running more and even started doing CrossFit since the gym offered CrossFit along with mixed martial arts. I did this for three years and during that three years that taught me a lot about myself about how to not give up, everybody fails, and to understand how far you can go when you don’t quit And believe in yourself. I still use this mindset daily. It’s not as tough as getting choked out or submitted, but I still have my days where doing media can be tough. When starting podcasting, photography, videography, sports commentating and anything else I always try my best. I always work hard. I always try to stay consistent with everything I do. This is where I get my work ethic from. Read more>>
Rhayne Thomas
I get my work ethic from my era of the 1970’s through the 1990’s as “your word and your handshake were a contract.”
During those eras, people said what they meant and meant what they said. If you said you were going to do something, you did it from start to finish, you went above and beyond because you took pride in your work. Those eras also took pride in themselves and, if something wasn’t quite right, you held yourself accountable and made it right. Read more>>
Mateo Lopez
I get my work ethic from the foundation that my family has. I have always been taught that if I want to be the best I have to work very hard at it. Practicing, learning and always doing my best is something I live by. Read more>>
Taryn Mohler
I attribute my strong work ethic to the example set by my parents and the guidance of my mentors. My dad, a finish carpenter, was incredibly detail-oriented, hardworking, and resourceful, with a natural talent for drafting plans and tackling every handyman project. My mom is a retired teacher and has always been deeply passionate about helping kids grow, persevere, and succeed. She poured her heart into her work, always going above and beyond, treating her students like family. Read more>>
Giancarlo Beroldo
I developed my work ethic from years as an athlete. I learned from a very young age the importance of persistence, patience and discipline. While other athletes were unable to form their lives to meet the growing demands of sport, I found success in dedicating myself to what I loved. I have always been very passionate about my life and when I became an ocean photographer after my career as a soccer player, I found a positive outlet for all the skills I had learned through twenty years in sport. I think part of my work ethic comes from my love for what I do, I find that if you find joy in what you do then it is easy to want to work very hard on it, and easy to find the energy and time to do so. Read more>>
Elizabeth St. Hilaire
As the eldest of five children in a middle-class family, I took on the responsibility of caring for my younger siblings from around the age of ten. Our parents instilled in us the importance of hard work and financial independence, requiring us to pay for many of our own expenses. By the time I was 12, I was babysitting, delivering newspapers, raking leaves, and shoveling driveways to earn money. When I had the chance to travel to Spain in high school, my parents gave their permission but not financial support. Determined to go, I got a job at the local McDonald’s and babysat daily, eventually earning the $1,000 needed for the trip. Previous to that, in eighth grade, my parents informed me that they wouldn’t cover my college expenses. I put myself through Syracuse University, working 80 hours a week every summer and 20 hours a week during the school year. That commitment to hard work has stayed with me ever since. Read more>>
Sandra Morales
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my background and values. I come from a family of immigrants who instilled in me the importance of hard work and perseverance from a young age. They faced numerous challenges but always emphasized the need to work hard and remain dedicated, no matter the circumstances. This upbringing shaped my drive to achieve a good and sustainable lifestyle. Read more>>
Joseph Wyatt
My work ethic is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of my family, deeply ingrained in the very fabric of who I am. From my beloved grandma Ella Wyatt and grandfather Ben Wyatt, whose unwavering dedication laid the foundation for BensBoyz, to my namesake drinks honoring the resilience and love of my grandma Ella, every drop of sweat and toil is a testament to their legacy. Read more>>
Nethan Nguyen
“My work ethic comes from my mom. She’s always been a hardworking woman, tirelessly supporting her family and kids. Watching her dedication shaped who I am today, and I owe so much to her. Thank you, Mom.” Read more>>
Kazo Hyjaki
Seeing, the work ethic my mom has makes me want to go harder at everything I do. Seeing the problems we faced, seeing the things she had to go through to bring us up, bring our family out of poverty and into new zip codes and rooms. It was life changing and she definitely set a standard. So many people told us no and when I was ready to quit she showed me what patience was. Read more>>
Stephanie Thompson
I’ve always had a strong work ethic. I learned from a very young age that if you wanted something you were going to have to work for it. I remember being 12 years old & starting my first job at my family farm. I saved up all summer to buy an iPod Nano for a whopping $200. I then spent the next 7 summers working at the farm so I could afford the things I wanted. While most of my peers were on family cell phone plans, I had a pay as you go phone. So if I didn’t have money I wasn’t going to be able to send those texts that were very important back in middle school. I also spent a whole summer working to save up for my car once I turned 15 so that when I finally got my license I would be able to buy a car & get myself from Point A to Point B. My family had a very strong sense of showing up & doing your best. You learn quickly that the work you provide directly reflects the business you are working for when your family name is literally on the sign. Read more>>
Rose Generazi0
One of the things I pride myself on is my work ethic. I got that from my parents. We are early people – if we aren’t 15 minutes early we are late. I also think it comes from the fact that if I don’t provide great product and get it done fast, it triggers some wild anxiety and I can’t stop thinking about it until its done. I have always been someone who gets stressed out when things aren’t done right the first time or on time. I am HUGE about meeting deadlines well in advance. My parents are both very hard workers and taught me the importance of having a good work ethic so I can definitely attribute that to them. It is so important to have a good work ethic. Read more>>
Zach Peterson
When I fist started stand up comedy I had a pretty dreary corporate job that I am best tolerated. My goal was always to be able to not have a job that I didn’t like, not to work for anyone else and to never have a meeting about if I am “taking too long to eat.” I was raised on a farm and spent all my summers working in the field so writing and getting up on stage was a breeze and never felt like work. I am happy to say that I am self employed now (not just comedy, but other things as well) and have never been happier. Read more>>
Corinne Hidar
I grew up watching my two parents work multiple jobs to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, while never letting myself and my sister know how tired they were, which is where my drive to keep pushing came from. I also started dancing on a competitive team when I was younger, which taught me the discipline I needed to pursue the career path I am on. Read more>>
Karen Riano
My work ethic comes from a deep passion for what I do and a commitment to making a real difference. I’ve always believed that the effort I put in today shapes the successes of tomorrow. Read more>>
Alyson Limehouse
I learned the value of hard work and determination from my father and his side of the family during my upbringing. My father was known for working tirelessly, often pulling long hours at the Charleston County market and in his business in Hastings, Florida. Thanks to his strong work ethic, we were fortunate to have two homes due to his career. – one in Saint Augustine, Florida, and one in Charleston, South Carolina. Moving between different schools and homes taught me the importance of ambition and perseverance. This was so my Dad could do his job and it provided a fairy tale and yet chaotic life. My father’s dedication to providing for our family meant we could enjoy summers in the Bahamas without financial worry. I am grateful for the privilege I experienced growing up, which was not solely based on monetary wealth but on the values and work ethic instilled in me by my father’s example. A side note my Dad lost his company and still works to this day. It is never about the money with those who have a strong work ethic. Read more>>
James Vanterpool
I grew up with my Dad being in the Navy for 23 years he always instilled in me working hard and working consistently at a very early age. I get my passion for dreaming big and chasing my goals from my mother. Her dream was to become a Broadway dancer she is from Cleveland but moved to LA and New York to pursue her dream. She realized it wasn’t for her but she pursued her dream. Read more>>
Delisa Roman
I get my work ethic from my mom. She immigrated to this country with nothing but the hope for a better life. Watching her work tirelessly to build a life for us, despite all the challenges, taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and determination. She showed me that success isn’t handed to you; it’s earned through grit and relentless effort. Her journey and dedication are what inspire me every day to push myself and never settle for less Read more>>
Joe Cutta
Hello this is Joe I created Cutta Squad Lawn Care as a venture off onto my own. I started this career by working multiple landscaping jobs and one day I decided that I want to start my own business. Providing lawn care is my passion, and I couldn’t imagine working for someone else the rest of my life. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, I just never knew it would lead me to the lawn care industry. Overall, I hope to be very successful in this business & I will continue to strive for excellence, and take pride in every yard I touch. Always remember Cutta Squad Lawn Care, a friendly service you can trust! Read more>>
