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.
Rebecca Davis
As a child, I always knew I wanted to be a successful entrepreneur. I wanted to be able to give back. As I got older, I knew that would only happen with hard work. I have worked since I was 15 years old. When I started my businesses, I ran them and worked a full-time job. I was always told as a child, if you want to have anything, you have to work for it and that is what I live by. Nothing has ever been handed to me, I have worked for every single thing that I have. Read more>>
Nate Ouellette
I’ve been a worker my entire life, so it is a habit that was built into me at a young age. From the time I could ride a bike, I had a paper route. Which meant getting up at 5 am everyday, 7 days a week. Hours before any of my peers. No matter the conditions, I had to deliver the papers. Rain, snow, ice, German shepherds chasing me–I dealt with all of that starting around ten years old. Read more>>
Dr. Kara Elam
My work ethic was once deeply rooted in the hustle-and-grind culture—the idea that success could only be achieved by pushing yourself harder, working longer hours, and thriving on stress. And while that approach helped me reach impressive milestones, it came with an unseen cost. I was driven, yes, but I was also constantly running on adrenaline, with no room to truly enjoy the fruits of my labor. Read more>>
Steven Eloiseau
I get my work ethic from my father, who raised my brother and I on his own while working three jobs. I watched him juggle all these responsibilities—coming home exhausted, but never once complaining or letting up. His ability to balance multiple jobs while still being there for us was nothing short of remarkable. He showed me that hard work is about resilience, dedication, and showing up every day, no matter how difficult. His unwavering commitment to providing for us, despite the challenges, inspired me to adopt the same mindset in everything I do—pushing through, no matter the circumstances. Read more>>
Belinda Lau
My work ethic comes from my immigrant parents. Before I was born, my parents immigrated from Burma (now Myanmar) to Vancouver, Canada. They arrived with just $14 in their pockets and built a life and family from that. Because we had very little, my parents opened a gift shop in the city, where they worked every single day. And that shop is where I grew up. Whenever I wasn’t in school—on weekends and during school breaks—I was in the shop alongside my parents and siblings, all of us working to make a living. Read more>>
Jenelle Stathes
A strong work ethic was modeled for both Mark and I at a young age and throughout each of our respective childhood. My Dad was a CPA, and then additionally ventured out into starting and running a Homeowner’s Association business, so the entrepreneurial spirit was a constant in my home. My Mom also worked full time, and continued to improve her position and work her way up through corporate chains in every career that she pursued. Read more>>
Dean Peterson
Early on in my career I learned the lesson that if you aren’t willing to do something yourself, it won’t get done. You can’t wait around for a magic hand to emerge from the clouds giving you the permission and resources to achieve the things you want. That might happen for a lucky few, but they’re the exception to the rule. Also this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t ask for help or that you need to do everything by yourself, but often in the early days of a project or endeavor you might be toiling away by yourself for a while and you need to embrace that and get the ball rolling on your own. Most people only want to get on a train that’s already moving, so start pushing that thing. Read more>>
Beth Djalali
My work ethic is directly tied to daily habits, a positive attitude, and pride in my work. My father and late husband were great examples that showed me the importance of working hard daily. There’s no secret sauce to success, just an exemplary work ethic that begins and ends with showing up daily. Throw in personal values such as integrity, excellence, and accountability, and you have a strong work ethic that will serve you well. Read more>>
Hayli Castor
My work ethic is fueled from my upbringing, future goals, & the love I have for second hand fashion. Providing for myself through reselling and content creation is more of a hobby than it is a job. Read more>>
Christy Heusser
My work ethic came from my father. Growing up, my dad owned his own business. “Family owned and operated since 1955” was printed on everything. He prided himself in his work and making sure he was providing for his family. He had all three of his children involved daily in the operations. I started to answer phones and taking messages in elementary school. My dad worked late days and long hours. Without his work ethic, I would not be the person I am today. Read more>>
Samantha Townsend
I learned my work ethic from my maternal grandmother. She was a single mother that was dedicated to caring for her children and ensuring that they all were successfully educated. She worked in the health care industry for over forty years and received multiple awards and commendations for her work, service, and commitment to patient care. What was most astonishing to me about my grandmother was how she was able to find time to volunteer in her community and her church. Specific characteristics that I took from my grandmother include the importance of effective communication, paying meticulous detail, and consistent follow through. I have applied these skills daily throughout my career and business and I have been extremely successful because of them. Read more>>
Hillary Combs-orgeman
My father is the hardest working person I know. I grew up in awe of his dedication to his career as an executive recruiter. Supporting a family of five in San Francisco, he is largely the reason for my perseverance in the work place. Read more>>
Shelby Ferreira
I was raised by cowboys and hard blue collar workers with traditional jobs. The work hours started early and ended late, and I always saw that growing up from both my Father and Mother. I have learned over the years to have a better work/life balance but I truly love my career and if I am gone to long from the salon or behind the chair, I miss it. Read more>>
Michael Carroll
I think I always kind enjoyed the process of progression. Early in my childhood, progression look like being able to playthrough and beat video games. The ability to play through something, get better in the process, and understand who you were at the completion of it. This translated to how my my imagination consumed books. I started to believe we were just humans, made of flesh and bones. Same raw materials. The only difference was how hard we worked, and how we viewed and reacted to life. I knew then nothing was impossible. Read more>>
Donny White
My work ethic comes from my parents example in the home and my 20 years in the US military. Both of my parents worked growing up and no matter what was going on my brother and I were always their top priority. Watching them both was a masterclass in time management, budgeting, prioritization and most of all LOVE. My military background almost goes without saying but I had the amazing opportunity to serve my country and level up my management and leadership skills at the same time. Read more>>
Nath Purandare
As a little kid I was very fortunate to have had a chance to be around some amazing people from various fields. Having them around, breathing the same air, one tends to pick up some things that would change your whole being. That was the power they yielded. Some members of my family, some people from the industry, looking at them work at their given ages, I really understood the meaning of ‘work ethics’! Read more>>
Noel Zamot
I think for most of us, work ethic is something you learn through exposure to family and colleagues. I grew up in the shadow of a post-war generation that didn’t have it easy. Work ethic, to them, was like breathing. As a kid, I often wondered if I’d ever discover a passion that would consume me. Read more>>
Connor Mobley
My father, he was a pipe welder on the Alyeska Pipeline. As a kid I never quite understood why he worked so hard, but now as an adult, and caring and providing for my own family he’s all I can think about when it comes to a proper work ethic. Being able to provide for the community especially these days is very important. Read more>>
Rochelle Perry
I grew up with a single mom who basically did it all. She raised us while working a 60-hour work week, she instilled in me and my brother the importance of studying hard and that hard work pays off. She was always an overachiever and so I always felt like I had some big shoes to fill. She’s such an inspiration and I am proud of all my accomplishments because I know I’ve worked really hard to get where I’m at. After we moved out of the house my mom worked extra jobs as well on the weekends. And I feel like since I entered the work force I have always had a side hustle, whether it be freelance design or color work, writing for the theatre, or now content creating through my social media channels. People say as you get older you turn into your parents, and I definitely see a resemblance of my mother in me. Read more>>
Wynord Thomas Jr.
I grew up in a family of five. My dad was the breadwinner, my mom was the homemaker, while my brother and sister were my inspiration to be an aspiration. As a young child, I can recall seeing my dad arrive home, visibly exhausted from a long shift. Yet, he always arrived with an unforced smile to the sounds of my siblings and I calling out with excitement, “Daddy’s home!” Each time, no matter how exhausted, he managed time to pour the best of himself into our family. While my dad has proved himself to be a real-life superhero, the inspirations behind my work ethic cannot be stated without also mentioning my mom. Read more>>
Brandon Gates
Adversity and tragedies have played a significant role in shaping my work ethic. When life throws challenges my way, I’ve learned to see them as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Difficult experiences taught me resilience, pushing me to work harder and smarter. Each setback has instilled a deeper sense of discipline, perseverance, and determination. In the face of hardship, I developed a mindset that refuses to quit. I know that success isn’t always immediate, and often it’s the struggle that shapes the grit necessary to achieve long-term goals. Read more>>
Elizabeth Stainberg
The work ethic for my artworks come from the values that my family has taught me.
Since I was a girl I have painted with love and respect next to my parents. My father would always sketch in his sketchbook and my mother to this day is a great artisan. Read more>>
Yung Jetpacc
I inherited a strong work ethic from my parents. Growing up, my dad pursued a career as an electrician, while my mom initially worked as a custodian at Georgia Tech. Both roles played a huge part in me being as initiative and consistent as I am in my career. Read more>>
Anabel De Bruijn
My work ethic comes from my immigrant background. I spent my childhood watching my dad work himself to the bone as a small business owner. I never saw him complain or be unappreciative of the fruits of his labor. I learned that putting your best effort forward and working hard is a part of my heritage and I take pride in it. Read more>>
Wesley Panther
My work ethic definitely starts within my genetics, but is practiced as well. My father has always had a strong work ethic, as his father before him. Especially as an independent small business owner, keeping a healthy work ethic is extremely important. It is helpful when you are passionate about your work, but this alone will not get you through efficient use of endless hours of work. Read more>>
Autumn Capurso
I got my work ethic from my dad. Growing up, I was always taken aback by how hard of a worker my dad was, and his stellar commitment to quality in everything he did. His motto was always to leave something better than when he found it. As an engineer, creating was his passion. Watching his laser focus and dedication on any project he started inspired me to carry those qualities into my own personal and professional ventures as an adult. Read more>>
Nana Ghana
I get my work ethic from my Mum. She is the hardest working woman I know. She is equip with vision and full of Grace. Her strength, faith and steadfastness in everything she does is very inspirational to me. Read more>>
Mia Nelson
I got my work ethic from my mother, Tirzah Nelson. She raised my sister and I while being a single parent. She did whatever she had to do to keep me in dance classes. When I went to study dance at Arizona State University, she got two jobs to help me pay for college. She didn’t care how long her work days would be. As long as my sister and I were happy, she was happy. I look up to her for so many things, but she taught me so me much about work ethic and to go after what you want no matter what. Read more>>
Tyler Kiser
I carved out my work ethic from understanding positions in my life experiences.
Working full-time taught me that even though I’m doing the same thing every day, I wake up with a new set of emotions. However I feel, it will guide the day. That’s the guaranteed variable. So, the times I’m up to work, I work but I also have to understand that it’s okay if I’m not working the times I don’t feel like doing it. Trusting in the timing of my life and how I operate really alleviates a lot of stress and anxiety. It’s okay to sit with yourself and not work. We, as humans, deserve some grace going through this reality. It’s tough out here. Read more>>
