Where do you get your work ethic from?

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.

Sean Moore

My work ethic came from my father, my brother in-law and his father. I spent my teenage and young adult years with these 3 men. They instilled in me a work ethic to a level where still today I will work anyone and everyone under the table. Not just from an effort level but from loving what you do so that it is not work. The saying “If I did this for the money alone, I wouldn’t do it at all” sums up my belief system in making sure we all choose careers that we love. I couldn’t imaging spending my days at a “job”. Read more>>

Christopher Moore

I attribute my strong work ethic to my goals and aspirations. My ultimate aim is to create generational wealth for myself and my future family, and I’m fully committed to sacrificing my time and energy now to ensure it pays off in the future. I’m fortunate to have an incredible support system in my family, who consistently encourage me to push myself 110% every day. Achieving goals requires dedication and relentless effort, and I’m willing to make the necessary sacrifices because, in the end, I’m choosing to pursue my dream—a dream that drives me forward with unwavering determination. Read more>>

Tjameika Wilson

I got my worth ethics from my grandfather and my mother. My grandfather had a quadruple bypass. And he still got up every day and cut wood and walked me to school. He never laid in the bed, No matter how sick he felt. He took care of everything. Even now at the age of almost 70 my mother still works two jobs. I was taught you work hard you can do anything you want. Read more>>

Corrine Newland

I know for certain that I learned my work ethic from my father and my mother. Growing up, my brother and I both were taught by our parents that nothing good ever came for free; and becoming a figure worth respecting never came from pushing down others who were walking in your same path. Read more>>

Moses Lawi

I believe that my strong work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my father. He embodies dedication and resilience, never taking a day off unless he’s grappling with illness or confronting a family emergency. Watching him pour his heart and soul into his work has inspired me immensely.

My family’s journey to the U.S. was filled with hardships and challenges that shaped my perspective on effort and perseverance. We faced numerous struggles that tested our strength and unity, and those experiences imparted valuable lessons about the importance of hard work. Read more>>

Maureen Janson

My background as a professional ballet/modern dancer and a choreographer provided me with a structure for literally embodying a strong work ethic. The discipline of dance and the demands of daily training for years have become engrained. Those same qualities are necessary for an acting career and are incredibly beneficial in any career.

Even more fundamental, the work ethic that allowed me to pursue a career in dance originates from witnessing my father (Gene Janson) in his own successful acting career. He worked tirelessly to improve himself, and I learned early on from him that self-motivation, loving what you do, and tackling the daily hard work yield great results.  Read more>>

Zarina Bahadur

I get my work ethic from my parents, and it has been the cornerstone of my entrepreneurial journey. Growing up, I watched them navigate life with unwavering dedication and perseverance. Whether it was putting in long hours to provide for our family or tackling everyday challenges with determination, they instilled in me the importance of working hard and staying true to my commitments.

When I started my company, I quickly realized that the foundation they built for me was not just helpful—it was essential. Entrepreneurship demands resilience, self-discipline, and a willingness to push through uncertainty. Those late nights refining a business plan, early mornings meetings, and countless moments solving unexpected problems were all made possible by the work ethic my parents modeled for me. Read more>>

Kat Mccoy

I owe my work ethic to my parents, who were both entrepreneurs in very different fields—medicine and music. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand what it took to succeed in these vastly different worlds. My mother, who sadly passed when I was just 8, owned and operated multiple retirement homes. She instilled in me the value of excellence, often reminding me, “If it’s worth doing, do it all the way.” Read more>>

A.shoaib Khan

Definitely my parents! Growing up my dad kept a career in the military that was very demanding and regimented and seeing him never falter really instilled in me a sense of pride and identity with the work that I too would end up doing. Additionally my mom worked initially as a teacher at every school we would go to in order to help afford only the best education for her children. Her career track I hugely admire as she climbed the ranks from teacher to administrator to principle and eventually advisory roles on school boards.
Both of their work ethics was beyond reproach and they always found immense pride in their ability to contribute in meaningful ways to their respective fields.
I remember in 2021 I wrote in my notes app “If I even put in half the effort my parents do, I can make it anywhere.” Read more>>

Jessica Abreu

I would have to say it has been instilled in me from my parents, who have always taught to me to work for what I wanted in life. Nothing was ever handed to me or my siblings, although sometimes it was rough, especially seeing my friends get things they wanted so easily. As an adult, I am so grateful to be raised the way I was. I understand the meaning of hard work and the value of all that I do to create a better life for my family. Read more>>

Ashley Guzman

Growing up, I saw my mother go back to school at the age of 27 with two children. She got her license as a radiology technologist and continued studying to get multiple certifications. Due to her hard work, she was able to save up money and move us out of our tight one bedroom apartment in Washington Heights into a house in Bergen County, New Jersey. Witnessing her hard work provided me a great example on how hard work pays off. Read more>>

Adil Akhtar

My work ethic comes from my family and cultural background. Being Asian American we have working hard and success driven into our minds at a young age. As well the many influences from family. For an example one of my biggest inspirations is my grandfather. Without his hard work and study my family would never been in America. Be still in Pakistan. Even to this day he support everyone from the motherland. He created and took care of his family himself his whole life and made our future generations easier living. Read more>>

Fontine Da Luz

My work ethic comes from my parents and the example they set for me. Watching them build a business from the ground up with no prior knowledge of how to run a business instilled in me a deep understanding of hard work and perseverance. Growing up, I remember them working tirelessly, almost around the clock. Whenever they were out, I would help run the store, which gave me an early glimpse into the value of hard work and the importance of money. Read more>>

Marcello Life

I don’t want to see work as just work because I’m always striving to turn my passions into something meaningful. I try to follow my spontaneity and creativity, and I don’t believe in working just to pay the bills. Ideally, humans should be at a point where we work because we want to, not because we have to. Unfortunately, I know the reality of working out of necessity—I come from poverty, and as an artist, I still struggle to make ends meet. It’s hard, but I believe in doing whatever it takes to turn a passion into work that satisfies both the bills and the desire to express and create. Read more>>

Jemika & Mary Sivak & Kelly

We both developed our work ethic through perseverance. Starting as single mothers with a dream to help others feel their very best is what inspired us to move into this industry. We are nurses by background, Jemika is soon to be a Nurse Practitioner and Mary, a Nurse Health Coach. We have watched our families work endlessly to provide a life that we in return wanted to provide to our children. Perseverance, integrity and hard work is simply what we follow to get to where we are today. Read more>>

Rikhil Ranjit

“Work ethic beats talent when talent doesn’t work.” Much of my work ethic, from running a global non-profit organization to advocacy efforts, stems from my passion for what I work on. I truly immerse myself in what I work on, knowing that there is an end goal that I have strived for since the beginning of my journey. Even if someone is particularly talented in a field, this is simply a gift they have been given. It is work ethic that develops one’s character, which is an idea I embody and continues to motivate me. Read more>>

Martins Acha

I developed my strong work ethic at a young age, inspired by my father, who exemplified discipline, dedication, and meticulousness in his work. He maintained a consistent routine, always returning home at the same time each day, which instilled in me the value of time management and reliability. Beyond his professional commitments, he demonstrated the principles of entrepreneurship and investment, teaching me how to create and manage wealth through hard work and strategic planning. His unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity has shaped my approach to work and life. Read more>>

Yukiko Cho

I believe my work ethic comes from a combination of my upbringing, my cultural influences, and my passion for filmmaking. I’ve been immersed in art since I was little, exploring drawing, printmaking, and model assembly. These early creative experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation for dedication and the process of bringing ideas to life.
Having both Chinese and Japanese backgrounds, along with the ability to speak four languages, has given me a unique perspective on the world. This multicultural lens inspires my storytelling and fuels my passion for creating films that explore diverse themes and experiences.
Additionally, my love for storytelling drives me to put my best effort into every piece of work. Filmmaking is an art that demands persistence and adaptability, and I’ve learned to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Read more>>

Sarah Wright

Growing up, My childhood training and home life fostered a sense of helpfulness, diligence and simply put, “laziness will not be tolerated.”
From a young child the disappointment of getting a low score on a paper or a less than positive remark from my Mother instilled a desire to always do my best, and to keep trying. The feelings of a job well done always were much better than discouraging or disappointing feelings. As an adult, after my faith grew and my spiritual foundation was laid, it reinforced, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” Col 3:23. Read more>>

Max Beebe

I attribute my work ethic to my journey and experiences over the past several years. In 2018, I founded Deadbeats, an Audio Engineering company, driven by my passion for sound and creativity. The following year, in 2019, I expanded my entrepreneurial pursuits by launching O’Mega Images, my video production company. During this time, I balanced multiple jobs, which required a great deal of perseverance and dedication. Read more>>

Sophie Baker

He worked for the Government in South Australia for a very long time. It was an extremely stable job which was key when my Mum didn’t work as she stayed at home to raise my three brothers and I. My Dad left that job to open his own business, which was a huge risk as his job covered our rental and provided security for the family, so we moved into a small home with no air conditioning (a big deal in an Australian summer when you live in a small country town on the cusp of the desert area) and he put everything into that business and it paid off. Read more>>

Victoria Demsey

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the incredible work ethic of my parents, who started their own business when I was young. Watching them pour their hearts and countless hours into building something from the ground up taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Their commitment to their dream wasn’t just about the business; it was about creating a better future for our family. Whether it was late nights, early mornings, or juggling challenges with grace, their determination left a lasting impression on me. Today, I carry that same drive into everything I do, knowing that success comes not only from talent, but also from the relentless effort and passion they modeled for me. Read more>>

Chris Schnabel

I have always been a self-starter, driven by the satisfaction of achieving the goals I set for myself. Whether it’s completing a project or maintaining a workout routine, I find motivation in pushing myself to reach my objectives. While I may not always succeed, my self-starting attitude ensures I stay proactive and keep moving forward. Read more>>

Jen Donohoo

Being a woman in any room is sometimes the toughest pill to swallow. Instantly feeling like your effort and energy must be significantly more than your male counterparts. You are held to a higher standard, any misstep is judged, a lack of knowledge is weakness, and there’s an almost instinctual need to be questioned on every decision made. I find myself consistently over-explaining my reasonings, tiptoeing around egos, and sugar coating feedback to keep the balance. It’s exhausting and far too common. Read more>>

Fabian Hernandez

My work ethic stems directly from the two people who raised me: my parents. Their dedication and selflessness have been a guiding force in my personal growth and professional journey, including my work in my photography business, Fabian’s Focus.

My dad has always been a living example of perseverance. As the sole breadwinner of our family, he shouldered the responsibility of providing for all nine of us with dedication. Even now, I see him get up early for work every single day, no matter how he’s feeling. Sick or well, he’s there, providing for his family and ensuring the bills are paid. Growing up, I noticed his commitment wasn’t just about clocking in—it was about keeping food on the table and clothes on our backs. Watching him work 10-plus hour shifts without complaint instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of consistency and resilience. Read more>>

Morgan Oslowski

All my life I depended on my grandparents for help and they’ve always instilled in me to save save save! My grandmother grew up with dirt floor with nothing to her name her and my grandfather made their lives comfortable by always working hard and that resonates in me. I’ve had a job since I was able to work. I am not a millionaire yet! But when it comes to my work ethics I’m gonna always show up sick,tired, or broken my grandparents always showed up so I have to as well. Read more>>

Kinara Smith

When I was younger, I would always see how hard my mom worked . That’s as an employee of her job and as a mother. Even now she still works hard. My mom NEVER skips a beat when it comes to making sure we (her kids) have everything that we want or need (that goes for us older kids as well #SPOILED). Seeing her work so hard motivates me to do the same! Read more>>

Kyrsten Willits

I definitely got my work ethic from my mother. She raised me and my two siblings as a single mom, working the night shift as a corrections officer so that she could be with us during the day. I couldn’t have known all the sacrifices she made for us as a child, but as I’ve become an adult I can better appreciate how hard she worked and all the sacrifices she made especially doing it all on her own. She raised me to be a hard worker, to never stop learning, and to follow my heart.. Read more>>

Lanée Mcneal

My work ethic comes from my father, who set an incredible example of dedication and perseverance. No matter the circumstances, he always showed up to work, only taking time off when he was truly sick or using PTO. Watching him prioritize consistency and commitment instilled in me the importance of always showing up. I’ve taken that foundation and built upon it, applying it to my own business. Now, I not only show up but also challenge myself to keep growing, pushing boundaries, and finding new ways to move forward. Read more>>

Sarah Coupland

I get my work ethic from my dad. He’s been a business owner since I was little, and I’ve watched him navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Even when he had a business that failed, he didn’t give up. Instead, he started over and kept pushing until something worked. His resilience, intelligence, and determination taught me that setbacks are just stepping stones to success. Those lessons have shaped not only my career but also my mindset in helping others achieve their goals. Read more>>

Tristan Wayne

I get my work ethic from hitting a low point in my younger years when I
Initially lacked motivation. It motivated me to never want to feel like that again and to stay active and stay motivated to reach my goals! Read more>>