We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic come from? Is it something we learn from our parents, or are we born with it? Do our friends, work environment or the city we reside in impact it? We asked some of the hardest working folks we know to share where they think they get their work ethic from.
Emma G
I think the concept of work “ethic” is a really bizarre term in some ways. I’m all for working hard when it’s for something you love, or are passionate about, but work for the sake of work can be a really damaging concept. I say that to mean that I realized a few years back that a large part of my work ethic came from trying to avoid the ghosts in my life. I would try to bury my pain, or avoid conflict or unresolved issues in work. Read more>>
Demarkus Turner
I get my work ethic from watching my mom, Nina Wade. My mom has been working at St Mary’s Hospital for over 30+ years. Watching her continuously go to work everyday in order to provide for myself and my siblings. It has empowered me to work hard for what I desire in life no matter the trails or tribulations. Read more>>
David Trahan
I have always thought that if I expect to make substantial headway in your chosen direction, I must live that quest. When I’m not physically engaged in networking, interviewing, writing, AV editing, or programming delegation for Neworleansmusicians.com, I am viewing the world around me through the lens of its possible application to the advancement of my quest. Read more>>
Jakyrannee Phillips
My work ethic comes from my mother Felicia Phillips. Growing up, I witnessed my mom raise six amazing children by herself. She always worked hard to keep a roof over our head. Sometimes that resulted her to working two or three jobs at a time, to make sure she was able to provide for her family. I barley heard her complain or make excuses about her circumstances. Read more>>
Andrea Freeman
I love this question because it prompts reflection on a topic that holds immense significance in my life. My work ethic is deeply rooted in the upbringing I received from my father, a remarkable individual whose values and actions have been a constant source of inspiration. Raised in the Midwest amid modest means, my father emerged from a large family, where my grandfather worked as a steelworker. Read more>>
Matt Tipold
I get my work ethic from my friends. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals is critical if you want to find any type of success in your field. Friends who will send you a text randomly out of the blue telling you to keep going. Friends who will update you about their lives in hopes of inspiring you. But also finding people within your field that you can connect, and grow with. Read more>>
Jenny Bitner
Growing up, I was always taught the lesson of working diligently at creating the life you wanna live. I watched my father work so hard for everything that we had and he built this incredible life for us. He was able to give my mom the option of staying home with us for all of our school years and being able to take vacations, have new clothes and everything else that we needed. I knew how hard he worked because I would go to work with him and sit in his office just to watch how he ran this company. Read more>>
Pia Laing
My work ethic has been shaped by challenging life experiences and a deep sense of responsibility that developed early in my life. Growing up, my parents went through a divorce, and I found myself having to look after myself from a young age. This period taught me the importance of self-reliance and instilled a strong sense of independence. Read more>>
Kellyann Burns
Passion and devotion to my vocation is the foundation for my work ethic. I am a visual artist and it is the physical act of creating that motivates me to work as hard as I do. My overriding goal as an artist is to maintain a continual evolution in my work – to excel with every new body of work I make. I have always possessed an intense desire to discover and it is this searching sensibility that ultimately inspires and fuels my work ethic. Read more>>
Erin Stieglitz
My work ethic definitely comes from my parents! I have so many childhood memories of my parents working really hard to achieve goals. My dad did this in every way from succeeding in business, to fixing things around our house. My mom always found ways to contribute her effort to organizations from our religious home, schools, sports and dance teams, neighborhood, and other community opportunities. Read more>>
Megan Collins
Growing up in rural South Africa, my parents chose to homeschool me, which inadvertently taught me more about being self-reliant than it did about Geography or History. Well at least relying on myself to get things done has been way more valuable in real life! Read more>>
Alexandra and Ali Camur
Our journey as business owners is driven by the inspiration we draw from our pets, who teach us to appreciate small moments and love unconditionally. We’re dedicated to helping modern pet owners make informed choices, turning their pets’ dreams into realities. Read more>>
Chris Anderson
This is going to come as a shock, but my work ethic was really instilled in me by my parents. I grew up in a Elyria, blue collar town with a blue collar family. My mom worked as a secretary at the hospital and my dad was a Teamster loading and delivering milk trucks. I don’t want to over romanticize my childhood or pretend like I had it hard; I was a happy kid and had a lots of people who loved me. Read more>>
Sarah Montgomery
I don’t really remember anyone being harder on me than myself. I was an only child for the first 10 years of my life and I think that really shaped my independence and drive. Even as a child, I knew I wanted a different life than what I was around growing up in Indiana and I relished in the idea of being an adult even if it meant responsibilities. I had creative pursuits as a child and this was where my time and energy went. Read more>>
Krish Gutierrez
I definitely get my work ethic from my father. We came from the Philippines in the 80’s and I just remember him working every single day. His job would even call him on his days off to work because they knew he would come. Read more>>
LATOYA PERRY
I definitely get my work ethic from my mom. Before she got sick she use to work all the time and sometimes she had more than one job! My family has lots of business owners all the way down to my great grand parents! Read more>>
Heidi Bannon
Definitely my parents. I can’t remember them not working. Even on the weekends, they were always doing chores to improve the house and property. It’s so nice to see the fruits of their labor now, and they can enjoy what they created with their own determination. Read more>>
Daniel Maffett
My work ethic really comes from my parents. I am the youngest of eight kids and I grew up watching my parents working non stop to make sure all of us had everything we needed. My mom always worked open to close at restaurants and changing jobs for better opportunities continuously leveling up her title to make sure she brought home the best she could. Read more>>
Jon Reynolds
It all starts from my father that always said, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right!” That stuck with me. If I do something, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. I’ve never been the smartest guy in the room, or the most personable, so I compensate with my mechanical inclination, attention to detail, and my pride/passion for excellence. Read more>>
David Merritt
I get My Work Ethic From Artists I have known. I consider myself an Artist, not a Rapper and My Cousin Terrance Palmer AKA MC Groove was a Rap Artist in The 80s and 90s and he was the first person to show me behind the curtain of The Music Industry. He performed Constantly and always had joints Droppin. Read more>>
Adrienne Schmitt
I’ve always had a good work ethic, I remember being little and always wanting to help my parents. My mom and dad are both very hard workers. My parents are now 74 and 78 years old and can still run circles around just about anybody. Things weren’t easy for us when I was growing up. Read more>>
Melissa Serpico
My work ethic is a direct reflection of my mother’s influence. She’s the one who taught me the real value of hard work and perseverance. Watching her navigate life’s challenges with such strength and determination has been a constant source of inspiration. Read more>>
Danielle Velasquez
My family is the most influential source from where I have gained my work ethic, strength, and resilience. My grandparents on both sides of my immediate family immigrated to the United States in hopes of providing their children with a more prosperous life and ample opportunity. Throughout my childhood they shared their struggles; their stories of uprooting and leaving everything behind, the hardship of learning a new language and settling in a new country, especially during a time when racial injustices were at a historical high. Read more>>
Alexander John Courtney
My parents were business owners and entrepreneurs. Growing up in that type of environment, I learned that I get what I earn, not what I deserve. This led me to Physical Training too. Being strong physically has helped me develop endurance and strength when I don’t feel like I want to be strong. Read more>>
Noah R Rosenfarb
“As a third-generation CPA, my work ethic has deep roots in my family’s professional legacy. Growing up in a family with a strong accounting background, I learned early on the importance of responsibility, attention to detail, and unwavering professionalism. Read more>>
Justin Irby
My work ethic definitely comes from my parents, especially my old man. My dad’s been my go-to inspiration and all-around role model for as long as I can remember. But what really gets me is his INSANE work ethic. The guy never complains, and he’s the master of getting the job done without cutting any corners. Read more>>
Chris McColl
My work ethic is a culmination of elements, which really started developing when I got my first job at 16. Initially, my work ethic was born out of a necessity for survival; I moved out when I was 16 and I needed to work to fully provide for myself. Working hard and making efforts to stand out would help guarantee me the hours and/or promotions I needed to ultimately help ensure my “survival”. Read more>>
Debrayta Salley
I believe that my work ethic is ingrained in my DNA on both the Maternal and Paternal sides of my family. In fact, As I look back over my life, I’d have to say that most of my family members have been hard workers and take their roles and responsibilities very seriously. Read more>>
Taralynn Ruiz
My work ethic was instilled by my mother. She has inspired me throughout my life. When I was a child, she worked for Xerox and she tirelessly worked various shifts and roles over the time that she was there. My mother has worked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift. There would be times that she would come home in the morning while having worked 3rd shift to see us off to school or she’d be resting for a little while on Saturday after coming home from work. Read more>>
Josh Lien
My parents planted the seeds for my strong work ethic at a young age. I witnessed, admired, and copied their general approach of working until the job is done right. Long before I could get a paper route or carry golf clubs (my first two jobs), my father taught me about work, income, savings, and debt. If I wanted something, such as a bike or video game, I had the option of working for it. Read more>>
Hannah Friggel
It’s interesting to reflect on my work ethic. Before I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I’d honestly describe my work ethic as average. I was a competent employee, meeting the necessary standards, but rarely feeling compelled to exceed them. There was a lack of deep connection to my work, which, in hindsight, limited my drive for going above and beyond. Read more>>
Sheena Binkley
I believe my work ethic was inherited from both of my parents. Both were hardworking individuals who put their all into their work. No matter how big or small the assignment was, they always went the extra mile to achieve their goal. That’s something I have always done with all of my projects. Whether it’s my full-time job as an office manager or my writing, I’ve always strived to put in extra effort and go above and beyond to achieve my goals. Read more>>
Hanna Brand
I have been a part of my family’s farming business for as long as I can remember. Even during my high school years, I would work during the busy seasons, such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. My father instilled in me the value of hard work and the importance of carving out a place for myself in this world. With his guidance, I have learned that with determination, consistency, and a strong mindset, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. Read more>>
Shaina Paulson
I get my work ethic from my drive to succeed and advance in my career. I know that talent and natural ability can only take you so far. In this industry the effort, time, and intentions you put in will take you further than waiting for things to come to you. My mother is also a huge influence on my work ethic. Read more>>
