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.

Padideh Jafari

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing as a first-generation Iranian American. It was shaped, without question, by my father. He was an extraordinary man who believed in the power of education and the value of hard work not just in theory, but in practice every single day.

My father lived by example. He often held multiple jobs, typically one main job, one philanthropic role, and another just to stay active and connected to the community in Los Angeles where we reside. He simply wasn’t the type to sit still. Read More>>

John Mclaughlin

My work ethic comes from growing up with bare minimum and the want to have more in life and what better way than hard work Read More>>

Kim Leach

I have to give credit for my work ethic to my parents & being raised on a small family farm. My parents always taught us that there was always work to be done and that it took the whole family working together to keep the farm running. Read More>>

Virginia Funes

I developed my work ethic from my parents, who were both incredibly hard-working and committed. My father owned a chimney sweep business, and my mother worked long shifts as a registered nurse at the local VA hospital. Despite their busy schedules, they managed to raise me and my three older siblings with care and consistency. They never complained—in fact, they seemed to take pride and even joy in the work they did. Read More>>

Dylan Lee Baxter

I get my work ethic from being a competitive snowboarder growing up. It taught me a lot about setting goals, repeating the same trick until you land it, and always picking yourself up, no matter how hard you fall. I translated some of these lessons into my daily life and the films I’ve made. It’s helped me keep going when getting rejected from festivals or people telling me I can’t produce a film because “it’s too ambitious.”  Read More>> 

Jeremy Madrid

My work ethic started from a tremendously young age. I was always into sports and baseball became my passion. Both of my parents have a lot to do with my work ethic. Both are very strong, self sufficient, and extremely dependable. I would have to say that I get a lot of my grit from my father with him being in the military and my perseverance and passion from my mother. I’ve faced a few difficult challenges in my life, but once I set my sights on something, I always see it through. Read More>>

Eva Tsang Vega

I have to give the credit of my work ethic to my parents. They have been my role models my entire life and because of the sacrifices they have made; it has helped me become successful.

They came to the United States with no money or even the language skills and have built a life that is truly the epitome of the American Dream. I have watched them open up new restaurants and then close them, but not once have they ever given up.  Read More>>

Stuart Fischbein

My parents. Both were dedicated to their jobs and emphasized doing your best is more joyful and fulfilling. Read More>>

Larry Lambert Ii

My work ethic comes from the passion I have to see how great I could be mixed with where I came from and where I’m working to go. Read More>>

Cynthia Wang

I grew up as a second generation Asian American kid with immigrant parents (from Taiwan). My dad grew up in an orphanage after losing his mother when he was very young. He focused on working hard, and ended up attending the National Taiwan University, then immigrating to the United States in the 70s when he started his PhD in physics at Caltech.  Read More>> 

Michael Sawyer

I believe I gained my work ethic from my grandmother and my father ! Read More>>

Natalee Rae

That’s a great question. I would say it stems from two main areas, both deeply rooted in my experience as an esthetician since 2004.
First, the nature of an esthetician profession itself is a very strong work ethnic. When you are working one-on-one with clients, often on sensitivity and personal aspects of their appearance, there’s an immediate and direct responsibility. Read More>>

Kayla Crouch

I get my work ethic from the generations before me—hardworking people and farmers who came to America with nothing and built a life through grit, faith, and determination. They weathered the Great Depression, worked the land, and taught by example that perseverance, stewardship, and strong values are the foundation of a good life. Read More>>

Stephanie O

I think my work ethic was shaped the first time I failed at something that really mattered and chose to get back up anyway.

When I was a teenager, applying to university in the UK, I thought I had it all figured out. I was coming from Nigeria, with strong grades overall, but when the international exam results came in, I had an E in Math…one step above failing. Not only was it humiliating in a Nigerian household where academic excellence is the standard, but the school I applied to flat-out rejected me. Read More>>

Caéleb

I get my work ethic from my parents—but really, my whole family had a strong work ethic. They always taught my siblings and I to do a job right the first time and to always give our absolute best.

I also looked up to artists I admired, like Beyoncé and Brandy, and watched how tirelessly they worked on their craft. Later in life, I learned how to work hard without burning myself out trying to do everything perfectly. Hard work is important—but so is your mental and physical health! Read More>>

Morgan Akeé

Since the beginning of my career, my core values: integrity, professionalism,dedication, and creativity have driven all of my actions and decisions when building my work ethic. My many experiences in the beauty industry such as being lead MUA for the ever so talented Creative director and photographer Blake Martin out of Chicago, being lead MUA for Josh Johnson, the comedian for his stand up comedy show, all the way down to body sculpting with the infamous Courtney Lockridge of Shaped Secretz in Downtown Los Angeles have helped to shape how I work independently and with others. Read More>>

Blake Welch

With over 30 years in the design and advertising industry, I learned that if you were to meet deadlines (which are paramount) you must develop and adhere to a solid work ethic. Do good work and deliver on time. Read More>>

Donna Chen

I have to thank my parents for instilling in me a strong sense of work ethic. Growing up, it was a mystery to most kids what their parents did for work – they likely knew the job title and maybe talked about the work, but I would say the hours from 9 to 5 was mostly a black box for them. I knew exactly what my parents did for work (not your typical 9 to 5) and more importantly, I saw how they did their work and their approach to it. After school, the school bus would drop me off at my parent’s restaurant and I was greeted by warm smiles and delicious food.  Read More>>

Lindsey Smith-Sands

I have very ethical parents who instilled in me a strong work ethic. From my earliest memories, the expectation was always that I would do my absolute best effort at things I tried. Then as a teenager, I attended a private school with the motto “Do well whatever you do.” It became a blueprint for how I approached tasks in most aspects of my life. Read More>> 

Maya Tannous

My parents for sure. They are both the perfect example of having a good work ethic. When they were younger they didn’t have any money, their parents barely had enough to put them in good schools to have an education. When they became adults, they worked really hard to be where they are now, and they are both thriving. To this day, they still work very hard to be able to sustain themselves and me. I wouldn’t be where I am without them and they taught me to work hard for what I want to get and if I want to succeed in life. Read More>>

Aaron Louis

I get my work ethic from my father. Growing up he worked bell to bell just to make sure we had everything we needed. He showed me what it meant to fail and not give. How failure is an opportunity for growth. To never feel bad for myself and appreciate each experience. Read More>>

Nik Johnson

After years in the industry, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with diverse individuals, each employing unique processes and customer service approaches. Someone once advised me, “Learn something from every person you meet,” and I’ve taken that advice to heart. I’ve drawn from everyone I’ve worked with to create an optimal hybrid approach for Local Steam. My work ethic comes from the inspiration of individuals that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. Read More>>

Arden Schager

It comes from my parents. We were a working-class family, and they both had a quiet strength. My mom came to the U.S. from Vietnam, and my dad was a truck driver. They just did what needed to be done.

They taught me that if I wanted something, I had to go after it. My mom encouraged me to excel in school, and my dad encouraged me to work with my hands. As a kid, I started a lawn mowing and gardening business to pay for my Gameboy games. I learned about harmony from that. There was a balance in the trimmed trees and grass that stuck with me. Read More>>

Mark Tommerdahl

Undoubtedly, I got much of my work ethic from my father. He grew up on a farm in Iowa during the Great Depression, joined the army when he was 17 and worked several jobs to work himself through school after WWII. His attitude was to never rest on past success but rather that you are only as good as role in your latest project – no matter how big or small that project was. He always reminded me that on the farm, if you don’t do something, it simply does not get done. Read More>>

Michael Parham

I grew up in a family that was no stranger to hard work. My mother a nurse and father a teacher and coach, working hard every day to make a living and serving their community with heart and soul. They left a lasting mark on me firsthand by portraying purposeful, service driven work every day. I truly believe that did me a great service by having chores and structure, while also allowing space for creativity and dreaming. Read More>>

Amelia Allen

We come from throwing DIY house shows and basement shows, and if we weren’t throwing the shows ourselves, we often would be found helping out on sound, or setting up beforehand or helping to clean up afterwards. It takes a village to run DIY shows, and as much as we enjoyed playing house shows, we also enjoyed just being part of our local scene and community, meeting likeminded artists and musicians.  Read More>>

Cody Hoyt

My love and passion for the fitness and wellness world developed from my athletic career, in fact, my business (7 Fitness) his named after the number I wore my whole athletic career. From an early age all the way through my athletic career sports have taught me valuable lessons and values, including my work ethic and determination to succeed at whatever I do. Read More>>

Dr. Lauren Golden

It starts with my parents.

My dad showed up every single day for work—whether it was exciting or mundane. He stayed committed, pushed through the hard seasons, and quietly succeeded in his role while making sacrifices for our family. My mom is a total force. I watched her climb her way up the corporate ladder, leading with strength and heart. Both of them taught me what it looks like to work hard, lead well, and now? I get to watch them enjoy the life they built. That’s what I want for myself too. Read More>>

Naz Tokgoz

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my intrinsic drive and the realities of the arts industry. In such a competitive and demanding field, consistent self-motivation is essential. Often times the only way opportunities can arise is from one’s own initiative, so it’s incredibly crucial to stay proactive and persistent. I’m already a pretty determined person, but combining that with the industry’s own challenges, I’ve cultivated a disciplined and resilient approach to my work. This commitment ensures that I not only meet expectations but continually strive to exceed them. Read More>>

Cortez Ross Jr.

The older I get the more I say my mother. Read More>>

Alice Cho

Ever since I was a little girl, I would watch my dad leave for work in the morning and get home from school at night. I remember struggling to stay up, seeing him come home from his 12-hour day, and wishing him a good night. He was always the prime example of “I can achieve whatever I want, as long as I keep working hard”. Read More>>

Michael Giller

I would say my parents, grandpa Delbert, and pretty much most of the men I was raised around. I grew up on a farm in a small town. I remember growing up my dad worked multiple factory jobs for a main source of income and would fix people’s lawn mowers and cut grass for a side hustle. My mother’s step dad Luigi and his brother Rudy owned the farm land I was raised on and my parents would help by maintaining the property like cutting grass and trees.  Read More>>

Nick Tuft

My work ethic comes from two main sources. First, growing up in a single-parent household, there were times when I couldn’t always have what I wanted because more important priorities had to come first. I got my first job at 15, working at Wendy’s, and that experience gave me the ability to earn and provide for myself. From that point on, I never went without a job or a source of income. It instilled a sense of independence and responsibility early on. Read More>>

V. Shayne Frederick

My grandfather prided himself on his work ethic, his ability to endure and be the last man standing. I learned the value of presenting well, being prepared, carrying myself with respect, speaking with authority and clarity, and most importantly (possibly in summation) being a man of integrity. Read More>>

Athena Stratis

My grandfather George Stratis. He was born in Greece, then early on in life moved to USA and opened his own pizza place. It has been a staple to our community still till this day. As someone who always worked hard and made sure everyone was taken care of. He lived a life of selfless service, quiet strength, and unwavering faith. He showed me that true impact doesn’t come from recognition, but from showing up every single day for others with love, humility, and purpose. Read More>>

Sara Jo Walker

I get my work ethic from my mom, Gloria Houghland. She’s always juggled multiple roles—teacher, realtor, and writer—and did so with a remarkably positive attitude. Watching her as a teacher, I saw firsthand the impact she had on her students’ lives, which was incredibly inspiring. As a single mother, she showed me that work is simply part of life, and you should approach it with purpose and pride. Read More>>

Christina Havis

My upbringing shaped my work ethic more than anything else. Growing up, I moved nearly every year of my childhood. Not because we were unstable, but because my mother always believed in reaching for something better. She wanted a better city, so we left Las Vegas for Los Angeles. She wanted a better car, so she traded in her Mustang for a Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo. She upgraded from renting an apartment to owning a three-bedroom house. Read More>>