We asked some of the hardest working artists, creatives and entrepreneurs we know to open up to us about where they think they got their work ethic from. Below, you’ll find some of those responses, stories, and advice.
Miranda Tibbling Ugwo
I think I get my work ethic form mostly my mom and seeing everything she been true. It’s been hard for her but watching her made me understand how important working hard and having discipline is.
When I started parkour I only trained with boys and I still do. But I travel more now and have the opportunity to meet more girls. But in the beginning I only trained with boys which forced me to work even harder. Trying to keep up with their skills and level.
I believe if you work hard and believe in yourself you can achieve anything you want! But you need to be willing to work hard and push yourself everyday. Read more>>
RAJIB KARMAKAR
My work ethic is rooted in the traditions and disciplines of Indian classical music, where dedication, humility, and the pursuit of excellence guide every action. They are shaped by:
1. **Discipline and Riyaaz**: Just as daily practice (riyaaz) is essential for mastering the art form, I believe in consistent effort and commitment to every task I take on.
2. **Respect for Tradition and Innovation**: Honoring the teachings of my gurus while embracing modern creativity has instilled a balance of respect and curiosity in my work ethic. Read more>>
Esther Otu
It’s 6:00 am in Ghana, West Africa, The cock crows, grandpa’s radio goes on, and the morning buzz begins in our household. I awake to embark on my daily chores. No one wakes me up, there is no alarm clock, yet at 8 years old, my internal body clock is already accustomed to waking up consistently every morning to complete chores before getting ready and heading to school. Read more>>
Jessica DeBaufer
My work ethic absolutely comes from my parents. Both of my parents grew up within low socioeconomic status households. Growing up, they knew that if they wanted to achieve their goals, it was going to take hard work and determination.
Both of my parents are retired police officers who started as entry level officers and worked their way into promotions and decade spanning careers. I saw firsthand the sacrifices, late hours, risks, and stressors that they were faced with. Even more so, I saw how they responded to these grueling demands. Timeliness, due diligence, patience, 110% effort, ethics, responsibility, focus, follow through, attentiveness to detail, communication, consideration, consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness were all lessons I learned from simply observing my parents go to work each and every day. Their work ethic was especially salient to me given their field of profession. Read more>>
Bianca Meza
I would have to say, from my father. He has always been the hardest worker I’ve ever known. He taught me, if you want something in life, you have to work for it. Read more>>
Sean Russell
my father instilled a good work ethic in my brothers and I from a very young age. He instilled an expectation of self respect, built on self-reliance. We also expected that once we became men or to become a man, being on your own financially, having a job, a home, was expected. All three of us as brothers had our own personal struggles and challenges, some of self-made, but we never felt like it was our parents job to act as our safety net. I don’t think I would have self-respect. I had it not been exactly as hard as it was. Read more>>
Cathy Rodriguez
I started working at the age of 11 babysitting the children in the neighborhood. I worked at CYO Day Camp as a teenager, and went into teaching as a profession. My father was my inspiration for my work ethic. He passed away when I was 11, but he always worked 2 jobs to b weigh able to allow my mother to be a SAHM. Read more>>
Johana Hernandez
My work ethic as the designer of GLAUDI comes from watching my parents work tirelessly in sewing factories when I was a child. Despite the long hours and low pay, they truly loved what they did and remained incredibly grateful for their work. To make ends meet, they took on small part-time jobs to cover our mortgage and family expenses. What stood out most to me was their unwavering positivity—they approached every challenge with a smile. Their dedication and gratitude inspired me deeply and continue to fuel my passion and commitment today. Read more>>
Gage Cowart
At a young age, I was raised to give 110% in whatever you do, no matter the job. In my previous jobs, it was always my mindset to work as hard as I would if it was my last day, every day. This mindset has transitioned well into being a songwriter and it’s always satisfying to see the results of hard work paying off. Read more>>
Cherline Rodriguez
I got my work ethic from not being happy within my self, from wanting to give my daughter a better childhood than mine (although I didn’t have a bad childhood) from wanting to take her out of the environment she is in and from knowing what I am capable of doing. Why work different jobs where I am getting told what todo, and living pay check to pay check, when I can make something out of myself, I can make a difference. If god put a talent in me, why not pursue it verses staying and living unhappy. Read more>>
Tatiana Valerie
People often ask me where my strong work ethic comes from, and the answer is rooted in my upbringing. I was born and raised in Eastern Europe, where the cultural and educational systems set a very high standard for children from an early age.
One of the most interesting examples of this difference lies in something as simple as writing tools. Did you know that in Eastern Europe, children in preschool and elementary school typically use pens, not pencils? Mistakes weren’t meant to be erased or corrected; they simply weren’t supposed to happen. The expectation was clear: what we wrote needed to be perfect from the start. This wasn’t just about neat handwriting—it was about discipline, focus, and the mindset that mistakes could and should be avoided through effort and precision. Read more>>
