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.
Stephanie Nery
My work ethic comes from my passion for what I do and my commitment to delivering excellence in every project. Growing up in a multicultural environment and having the opportunity to work internationally in countries like England, New Zealand, and Brazil has shaped my adaptability, professionalism, and understanding of diverse client needs. With over 12 years of experience in the makeup industry, I’ve learned the value of going above and beyond, not just to meet expectations but to exceed them. I take pride in my ability to bring any vision to life while maintaining a friendly, collaborative, and professional approach. My dedication comes from genuinely loving what I do and the joy of contributing to the success of each unique project. Read more>>
Cherry Dukes
I get my work ethic from my dad. He was the definition of resilience. He was a preacher, ran a car lot, owned a car wash, and was always hustling to make things work for our family. Watching him juggle so much with determination and faith taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. He’s the reason I go so hard in everything I do. Read more>>
John Gristina
Simple . My parents. They came here when they were children both had to work to learn a new language , both had to work to help support their family . Then when it was their own family they took r the traditional roles of husband and wife my Dad worked as much as possible to provide what my mother needed to make a home for all of us . They valued spending time with family but they knew that time was earned and deserved by the time that was spent working to be able to bring that family together for dinners and birthdays and family holidays . To take a sick day meant that there was a doctor or hospital involved , otherwise you pushed through and did your job. You got hurt at work? Ok but can you still work despite being hurt is the question. Read more>>
Kalumet King
My work ethic stems from my elders—my grandparents, aunt, and parents. These individuals were/are incredibly hardworking and always found a way to make things happen, whether during times of abundance or moments of struggle.
Because of their example, I find it difficult to stay still. I have a deep aversion to feeling stagnant and an unwavering drive to maintain momentum.
Sometimes, people gently suggest I’m taking on too much, yet they’re often surprised when I manage to see everything through. Read more>>
Jai Imani
I Think My Work Ethic Comes From Watching My Mom NEVER Miss a Day of Work! My Mom was An Elementary School Teacher For Almost 40 Years & I Can Count on One Hand How Many Times I’ve Seen Her Call in Sick or Take a Personal Day. She Never Missed Meetings & A Lot of Times She Even Stayed Hours After to Get Things Done For The Next Day or Next Week. I Think Witnessing The Woman Who Birthed & Raised Me Work Hard Definitely Passed on to Me in My Career. Read more>>
Joi Jetson
Funny. I actually learned how to swing a tennis racquet before I could tie my shoes. While other four-year-olds were still working on those bunny ear loops, I was learning discipline and form on the court. Tennis completely rewires your brain – it’s wild how it teaches you that getting better is really just about showing up and trying again. I spent years at Nike camps, Reebok clinics, and made it all the way to Dartmouth’s courts. That’s where it really clicked – success isn’t about never failing, it’s about not letting failure stop you. Read more>>
Carinne Boord
I would say both of my parents, and my paternal grandmother especially, instilled in me the value of working hard. My Grandma grew up on a small island near Okinawa and she’s told us many stories about how difficult life could be on their farm. When she moved to America she had several jobs to help pay the bills, including working in a suitcase factory and seamstress work. She used to say to me “don’t do something unless you’ll be the best at it”. My father had to join the military to receive higher education, and they tell me often that nothing in life is given to you, everything is earned. My mother grew up in coal country, southwestern Virginia. You can glimpse the economic difficulty of that time and place in the documentary “Stranger With a Camera”, it’s something I think about often. Read more>>
Paula Rosales
At a very early age my mother has instilled values of shared responsibility, time management and being pro active to all of her children. It was something she always gamified instead of making into a chore and it was really fun. When I grew up I instilled the same work ethic to my career or any project that I get my hands on to. I never look at it as a chore but instead a game or a problem that I need to solve. Read more>>
Jayy Sanders
I get my work ethic from my father, who always emphasized the importance of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. That foundation was further solidified during my 8 1/2 years in the Army, where I learned the value of teamwork, resilience, and pushing through challenges to accomplish a mission. Both experiences shaped me into someone who is committed to excellence and always willing to go the extra mile. Read more>>
Devaughn Wilson
My work ethic comes from my grandfather i watched him growing up over there’s work hard even when he retired from his steal mill job he still work as a landscaper seeing him always active always put me in that type of mind set. Read more>>
Ryan Carter Media Tv
From Imagination to Innovation: How Dreams Paired with Education Changed My Life
As children, our imaginations were limitless. A stick became a sword, a rock transformed into a baseball, and our backyards became stadiums filled with roaring fans. In those moments, we weren’t just playing—we were building the foundations of creativity, problem-solving, and vision. For many of us, those moments sparked the belief that we could create something extraordinary, take center stage, and live out our wildest dreams. Read more>>
Blake Kelley
B0rn in Louisiana and raised in a blue-collar community in southeast Texas, I learned at an early age that if you want something, you will have to work for it. Both of my parents were college athletes, and I quickly decided that was what I want to pursue as well. I give all credit to my parents for not only laying out a blueprint but also keeping me honest with the pursuit of this goal, even when I was stubborn. This came with long days with football workout, most of them when no one was around to see. Fast forward a bit, and I was a wide receiver on the Texas Tech University football team. Even then. the same principles applied. If I wanted to get playing time. I needed to continue to follow the work habits that my parents taught me. It was a great feeling to not only be naturally talented at something but also have the work ethic instilled by my parents to boost this craft. Read more>>
Memo Ortega
My work ethic stems from a deep connection to the communities and cultures that inspire my art. Chicano culture, the streets of Los Angeles, and the traditions of Mexico, I saw how dedication and creativity could transform challenges into opportunities. Photography became my way of capturing the raw, authentic beauty of these influences, and I’ve carried that passion into every aspect of my work.
As a photographer, I’ve developed a habit of immersing myself fully in my projects. Whether I’m documenting the bold lines of a lowrider, the intricate details of a tattoo, or the expressive faces in my ELLAS series, I approach each shot with intention and respect. Every frame tells a story, and it’s my responsibility to honor it with my best work. Read more>>
Anastasiia Gaines
I developed my work ethic during my years working on branding and packaging in a managerial role, starting at the age of 22. That experience taught me the importance of learning quickly, staying creative, viewing products from the user’s perspective, and delivering exceptional results. These efforts often translated into significant profits for the brands I worked with. Read more>>
solomon salazar
My entire life I’ve been surrounded by hard workers. Some of my earliest memories are of “helping” my dad while he worked on machinery on a potato farm. There were also late nights in the winter when I accompanied him while he checked on the ventilation fans in the potato storage buildings, if the temperature and humidity weren’t correct a whole crop could be lost.
There were times, I couldn’t have been more than ten years old, that I remember helping roof a two story building while my uncle was building an addition to his house. Growing up my family didn’t have a lot of money, but what we carried in spades was skill. if something need built or fixed or fabricated there was someone in the family who was more than capable. Read more>>
Carley Weed
As most individuals’ habits are shaped, mine was a byproduct of my childhood. Without overindulging in information about my upbringing I can say I lived in a difficult environment that benefitted from some sort of escapism. For me that was always school and work. Part of my ideology stems from my mother always encouraging me to vent through drawing. That if I ran into an obstacle I should resolve to work harder to beat my problem rather than wallowing in frustration. Read more>>
Rodel Mallari
I got my work ethic from my mother and father always to never give up and to always follow my dreams no matter what. Read more>>
