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.
Nneka Okeke
I draw my work ethic from my mother, who has been an incredible role model throughout my life. I’ve witnessed her juggle a career full-time job while raising our family and managing businesses in both Nigeria and the U.S. Her journey began when she moved to America from Nigeria, and she often shares stories about her experiences navigating life in Chicago. I admire how she balanced her work and education while ensuring my siblings and I were well taken care of. Read more>>
Alexander Thomas
My work ethic comes from a combination of life experiences and personal drive. I’ve worked in high-pressure environments like firefighting and as an EMT, where there’s no room for cutting corners. You have to be all in, and that mentality carried over into everything else I do. I even lived in my truck for a year to save up for acting school because I believe in putting in the hard work to achieve what you want. Every challenge has taught me resilience and discipline, and I apply that same mindset to my acting career. Read more>>
Nathalie Marti
My work ethic comes from my experience studying law, working as a trainee lawyer, and passing the bar examination in Geneva, Switzerland. Both law studies and legal training demand huge discipline and resilience. The long hours, complex cases, and high expectations implies a relentless commitment and hard work. Passing the bar is another test of endurance, requiring full dedication and weeks of studies. Now that I am dedicating myself to art, these qualities naturally carried over. Creating art also demands huge dedication and willingness to spend countless hours working in the studio. My background in law has therefore deeply influenced my work ethic, which I now channel into my passion, making art. Read more>>
Jace Dowe
I get my work ethic from being in the space that I’m in. I’m constantly being pushed and moved by seeing how others create and do things and to be honest, its extremely inspiring. It makes me want to be even more creative with my videos and other lanes I continue to step into. I’m a very competitive person and want to be the best, so I’m always trying to outwork myself and the others around me. Read more>>
Nick Price
I get my work ethic from a variety of sources, but the main source has to be my upbringing and my father. Looking up to my dad and how hard he worked to provide for our family showed me that no matter what it takes, you can always dig deeper and work a little harder to provide for your family. My parents instilled this to me early on as they always said “if you want money to go out and do things, you better get a job!” I’ve been working since I was 14 and have carried my work ethic with me every step of the way. Read more>>
D’angelo Fulton
There are 3 answers for this one. 1 being the genetic disposition of having many diligent workers within both sides of my family, and 2 is desiring more from this life. You gotta put the work in to get there. I’m happy with where I’m at but I know there’s so much beauty yet to come in. If I stop now there’s a chance that I’ll never see you it. Lastly my passion for self-expression and intricate word-play and storytelling in unbreakable. Read more>>
Charles Mcdonald
I think a lot of my work ethic comes from my stepfather Nathaniel. Nathaniel is a master carpenter by trade, and growing up one of the ways that he connected with me was through working. Manual labor. He would have me help him on jobs in his workshop, or around the house doing landscaping and gardening – mowing the lawn, picking up rocks, etc. As a musical child I really detested having to do these odd jobs, all I wanted to do was play piano or sing, ride my bike, or create radio shows on my tape recorder. However, now as an adult I have come to appreciate those days working with my dad. Read more>>
Lisa Ma’ree
“If a man does not work he shall not eat.” My father would emphasize the importance of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 throughout my childhood. He aimed to teach his children that working hard will ensure their financial stability. I witnessed my father wake up at 4:30 AM to commute almost 2 hours to work while building our family home. Yes, he built a house! He was a skilled Welder which is a very labor-intensive profession. In addition to his career, he was an expert in plumbing, carpentry, and mechanics. Read more>>
Colleen Gregoire
I believe a person’s work ethic thrives on several factors: a supportive environment, self-confidence in response to that environment, and a personal drive to always improve. These factors have helped propel my career as an artist and arts advocate for over 40 years. Read more>>
Brandon Yousko
My strong work ethic comes from a combination of observing positive role models in my life such as my old boss Charles Kennedy, co-worker Mandy Tice, best friend Thomas Graham and Rachel, where I learned the importance of responsibility, punctuality, and going the extra mile to achieve quality results. I also actively sought out opportunities to develop my skills and take initiative in challenging situations, which further reinforced my commitment to delivering high-quality work and reasonable price. From someone who has battled mental illness and substance addiction I’ve reformed and rebuilt myself to be the best boss, worker and father I can be. Read more>>
Ashley Carrizo
I believe I got my work ethic from my father at a very young age. I grew up with him working all the time, day shifts, night shifts, and overtime. Especially during the Holiday season he would work extra hours in the city. At one point he worked his full-time job in the city and opened a spots bar just to make extra cash for the things my siblings and I needed or wanted to do; whatever we needed he worked extra to make it happen. This idea of work ethic stuck with me to present day. I worked during college to pay for rent and my living expenses. I learned how to balance both work and school which taught me a lot as a young adult. Read more>>
Carl Dunlap Ii
Hands down – my grandfather. While growing up I watched him work tirelessly for Goodyear Tire Co. He often missed holidays and birthdays to ensure that my family and I had a great life. He eventually retired with 42 years of service. Read more>>
Keith Cooper
That’s easy: My father. He is about to turn 96 and still works full time as a senior partner in a major international law firm. Every single day, without exception, he’s physically in the office from 10:00 to 7:00. While in his 90’s, he literally went to work with pneumonia. He travelled to France for a single weekend and headed straight to the office after returning and landing at LAX on Monday morning. He is a machine. Read more>>
Tris Udeh
My dad and University. My dad is a very hard working and diligent man. One of the main qualities of my dad is the ability to get things done. He never slacked in his duty as a father or as a husband and as an adult now I really find that inspiring. He took his duties at home very seriously and now when I have things to do, I know I have to do them because someone I look up to has set a good example for me. Read more>>
Rashaun Will
My work ethic is all about consistency, focus, and never cutting corners. When I get into the studio, I lock in—whether I’m producing a beat, writing lyrics, or mixing the final track. I take pride in every step of the process, making sure the vision comes through exactly how I imagined it. I don’t believe in waiting for inspiration; I believe in showing up and working hard every day to make things happen. My OG’s always told me when I was young nothing comes to a dreamer if you don’t do the work. Read more>>
Darrell Utt
My work ethic comes from the foundation of my upbringing in West Virginia, where hard work, grit, and perseverance were essential values. Coming from humble beginnings and raised by two parents who never graduated high school, I learned early on the importance of hard work and doing what needs to be done, no matter the obstacles. Read more>>
Raquel Lake
I get my work ethic from my parents. They instilled in me the idea that you should always do work that you can be proud of. You only get one chance to make a first impression, that sentiment extends to your work and your work ethic. For me work becomes a place where I can showcase my talent, my desire to do good work and represent what my parents taught and instilled in me. I enjoy every opportunity I get to work because it demonstrates one aspect of who I am. Read more>>
Jake Newcomb
As soon as I turned 16, which is the legal age to begin working, my dad told me it was time to find a job. I got a job flipping burgers at a Wendy’s in a small town in Maine. I was never handed anything at an early age, so my work ethic grew out of that, naturally. My family relied on food stamps and Hamburger Helper to get by, so it was just sort of expected that I had to work hard for everything I needed. It’s a common trait that New Englanders, especially Mainers, have a strong work ethic. I naturally adopted that mentality from my environment and just gave every job my all. After leaving high school, I wanted to be 100% independent, not relying on family or anyone else to keep me afloat, so I took on side hustles and multiple jobs to make ends meet. Read more>>
Desirée Nicole
I got my work ethic from my beautiful mother. As the oldest, the relationship started as just the two of us. I remember crying so hard being left with my grandma when she had to work. As I got older, I realized how much she sacrificed her happiness to ensure my siblings and I were always good. Now that I’m able to work, I work hard too. In the process, I always try to do things to show her how much I appreciate her and the things she has done. Read more>>
Tyrone Heard
I would have to say I got my work ethic from sports. I had started off playing sports at a young age and played all the way till the end of highs school. I played football on and off, ran track but my favorite sport is basketball. The focus of going to practice every day working towards a single goal, the up’s and downs of a game are similar to the business field and life in general you learn to navigate threw. Read more>>
Jessica Ramirez
Growing up in a household where hard work was not just a value but a way of life, I have always been inspired by my parents’ journey from Guatemala to the United States. They arrived here as teenagers, driven by the hope of building a better future for themselves and their families. My dad, only 17, juggled multiple jobs before establishing his own landscaping business. My mom, with her 27 years of experience in house cleaning and the medical field, demonstrated the importance of resilience and determination. Read more>>
Wilfredo Ramos
My strong work ethic stems from overcoming adversity, having grown up without parental support and being raised in group homes. This experience taught me that my success is determined by my own passion and drive. Surrounding myself with equally passionate creatives further motivates me to strive for more. I live by the belief that when you come from less, you must work harder to achieve more, and I remain committed to that principle. Read more>>
Ahmad Fielder
I believe I get my work ethic from multiple experiences and family members. First, I would say I developed it from my mom, who sacrificed a lot to make sure her children could grow up to be successful in life and pushed through some trials and tribulations while still having a good time. Another person that comes to mind is my uncle, who’s currently trying to balance a full-time job and trying to operate a local tea shop at the same time. I also read many self-improvement books during my free time, such as The Big Leap, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and Slight Edge, which gave me a different perspective on navigating life. These people helped me realize that no matter how challenging the circumstance is, you can embrace and relish the journey. A quote I read not too long ago stuck with me and relates to the topic of work ethic: “Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” Read more>>
Isz
I started doing music when I was very young. At first I was just a writer. I would write songs that played on the radio out on paper. By the age of 13 I started playing the keyboard at the church I attended at the time. Eventually I started making my own beats and rapping to them. I pretty much do everything myself from production, to songwriting, mixing and mastering. Read more>>
Alicia Renee ‘ Aka ” Blue Eyes “
My parents (Rest in Peace) My mother was an educator and father worked for General Motors & had his own business. Both were hardworking , very humble & God fearing people. I never saw or heard them complain about work regardless if they caught a cold, weather was bad ,etc and I looked up and admired them for it and decided to take on that attitude. Read more>>
Scott Wurth
My work ethic developed during my years as a junior golfer, where I dedicated countless hours to practice, driven by a desire to improve and get better each day. I was also inspired by my parents, who demonstrated the importance of perseverance and dedication, and from close childhood friends who shared the same passion for hard work. These influences instilled in me a drive to pursue my goals and the belief that consistent effort leads to success. Read more>>
Michael Rubin
My work ethic has been significantly shaped by my experience in the pool business since 2008. Throughout these years, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and shortcomings within the industry, including false promises, overcharging, and poor workmanship. These exp Read more>>
Ramir Williams
My work ethic is inspired by my mother, who owned a hair salon. She was constantly hustling, and even on her days off, she embraced a DIY approach, creating things from scratch. Her dedication and creativity have shaped my own journey as a fashion designer, motivating me to infuse that same spirit into my brand. Read more>>
Robert Bliss
The central ethos and animating spirit of Blissmade Furniture is ‘The Finest Kind’. It represents the highest form of good, in the Platonic sense, that is singular, perfect, eternal, and unknowable. As a designer and maker of furniture, this notion of an unknowable perfect version of an object is all consuming. I could make a different table everyday, for my entire life, and still never manifest that unknowable perfect table into existence. However, with sights aimed at that perfect form each time my sharpened edge touches the timber, I get closer and closer to that perfection with every version I produce. Read more>>
Anna Venhaus
My work ethic is something I believe I inherited and learned from the incredible people around me. Growing up, I was surrounded by strong, independent women—my aunts, who balanced successful careers with being amazing mothers, and my mom, who, along with some of her sisters, were entrepreneurs. Their drive and determination were inspiring, and I feel like that grit runs in my blood. Read more>>
Liya Bombardier
I definitely believe I got my work ethic from my parents. They are both extremely hardworking and disciplined in everything they do. Growing up and watching them work so hard inspired me to push myself even further. Now, my work ethic is driven by my passion for music. I want to excel, and I understand that to achieve success, hard work is essential. So, it’s a combination of how I was raised and knowing what I want—and going after it. Read more>>
Eric Bigger
Work ethic is something instilled in me and I always wanted to be great or the BEST at what I do. I’ve been curious my entire life about successful individuals so I studied them to learn what are their habits to be who they are. I followed many different blueprints until I became the blueprint for others to look up to and study. Read more>>
Jazmin Evers
Coming from a more traditional household, I would be lying if I didn’t say I got my work ethic from dad. My family had a beautiful balance between masculine and feminine energy. Mom worked hard during the day but would come home once I got out of school and would be there to nurture: feeding and loving my sister and I, always making sure we had what we needed for our spirit. Dad would teach elementary school during the day, come home and relax in his recliner and read the newspaper for an hour or two then go teach night school at a community college I eventually attended, Imperial Valley College. Arguably one of the best colleges I’ve ever attended because of the amazing staff. Read more>>
Durrell Hunter
My work ethic comes from within. My passion for creating art. I enjoy it, and appreciate how it makes me feel. To stay in that state of happiness I need an aggressive work ethic. When I think about my journey as an artist, I want my work to reflect my work ethic. So viewers can see me progress and know, this guy was serious. Read more>>
Mark Herrera
Lawn maintenance in the heat and rain of Miami-Dade County is no fun so getting an early start and working steady before the peak temperatures followed by afternoon thunderstorms was imperative. I learned this working with my dad as a teenager in his lawn service and tree trimming business. It was labor intensive work and even sometimes dangerous however I also learned that attention to detail when it came to the quality of the finished product paired with strong interpersonal skills with each client was as important as getting the job done. Sometimes we would be done and I would be waiting in the work van but my dad would be looking for anything that needed cleaning up. I the client came out to talk to him, he would gladly spend a few minutes chatting. I did not understand at the time but he was building relationships that lead to loyalty after a job well done. Read more>>
