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.
Daniel Pearson
I get my work ethic from my parents. Growing up, I watched my mother work two jobs to make sure my brother and I never went without. She sacrificed her true dreams so we could have a better life. On weekends, my father would pick me up and expose me to everything—from homelessness to wealth—teaching me that the choice was mine, but that nothing would come without hard work. Watching my mother’s sacrifices and my father’s relentless pursuit of his dreams showed me both sides: survival and ambition. That’s where my drive comes from. Read More>>
Margaret Craig
I think my work ethic comes from the fact that nobody wanted me to be an artist. I was an only child to older parents and there was no way they were going to let me study art, because I needed to be able to make a living. Somehow even in high school there was never any room in my schedule for an art class. (I graduated with 6 years of science and 5 years of math) I was never an A student as my heart was elsewhere. Even in college they thought when I took art classes it took away from my regular studies so they stopped me from taking them. Read More>>
Swych
Like so many others I got my work ethic from my parents. Growing up I would always admire their drive
to be better than the previous day. They worked hard and respected the job/career they had. Learning through them
I always make sure I’m on time, prepared, and eager to learn something new every day! Read More>>
Olga
I get my work ethic from wanting something. I believing if I make step towards that want I will eventually get it.
Sometimes the steps are easy and sometimes the steps are harder, but I just keep practicing and finding the differerent steps until I reach the want or “goal”. I believe the steps are the work ethics towards everything. Read More>>
Liam Johnston
I believe I get my strong work ethic from mother as she is an incredibly strong and resilient hard worker. Growing up around that really ingrained a strong work ethic in my psyche I think. Read More>>
Ira Tecson
I get my work ethic from my Filipino parents, for sure. My brother and I were Latchkey kids with a mom that worked a 9-5 and a dad that worked 2nd shift, both with the occasional overtime. They also showed me how to work at things outside of their careers, like fostering relationships and taking time to be with family. They instilled in us that we had to prove ourselves, first in school, and then in the jobs we would have later on. Read More>>
Carlos
My parents are immigrants that came to this country without a career path so I learned from them what hard work meant under American capitalism. I am also an elder Millennial who came of age under the financial insecurity of the 2008 recession so my drive and work ethic stems from that along with understanding my position as a brown man in the film industry that I have to work harder than most in my position. Read More>>
Russ Mazion
I was raised by a single mother with three sisters and one of the things I’ll always remember observing my mother growing up was that she worked very, very hard every day, no matter what was going on in her life, no matter how she felt how sick she was or depressed. She worked very hard to make sure we had Food on the table and a roof over our heads. Read More>>
Evannah V
My work ethic is a blend of legacy, culture, and purpose. I come from a Belizean-American family that has always moved between worlds—literally. My mom, sister, and I navigated life between Belize and Chicago, dealing with immigration, culture shifts, and the balancing act of building something meaningful across borders. That experience taught me resilience early on. It wasn’t easy, but it gave me a fire that continues to push me today. Read More>>
MATTHEW GRIFFIN
“Upon the fields of friendly strife are sewn the seeds, upon other days, upon other fields, will bear the fruits of victory,” Gen Douglas MacArthur
Like many people of the Gen X generation, I was a feral, latchkey kid of divorce parents. By the age of 10, it was apparent that if I wanted something, I had to do it myself. New bike = mow lawns. Go to camp = recycle aluminum cans. If I wanted something, there was no option other than to take the time and work for it. That was life in the 80’s. Read More>>
Isabella Santoro
I come from a long line of incredibly hard workers, so my work ethic is both inherited and shaped by powerful examples. My mom opened her restaurant in 2004, and for over 20 years I’ve watched her pour more time, energy, and heart into the business than anyone else. She’s never wavered in her dedication—she’s the first to arrive and the last to leave. Before that, she was a sales rep for a natural remedies company, traveling all over Italy and going above and beyond every single day. Read More>>
Sydney Green
Immediately, I think of my characters. Often when I get an idea or an urge to write, the people that inhabit the world come quite quickly to me, and they stay with me throughout my writing process. I hear them, so to speak. As a result, I write because I know what they want to say and it has to get out of me somehow. I write a lot about untold stories and hidden histories, and perhaps part of why that feels so very pressing to me lies in that I deal with voices waiting to be heard every day. Read More>>
Gabriel Reyes Donis
I’d like to say that I get my work ethic from my mom, she’s truly the most hard working person I know and I wouldn’t have made it as far as I have if not for her and her sacrifices. It’s something I want to pay her back for in time, to prove that I’m worth the sacrifices she’s made and show her that I’m capable of so much more. Read More>>
Raegan Waite
Nothing terrifies me more than wasting my life away. When I was in college I had a summer internship at an accounting firm, and quickly saw what the next 30 years could look like. I wanted to run the other way. Nothing is wrong with pursuing a typical 9-5 office job, but it was definitely not for me. My work ethic was born out of the question of “How do I create a life that feels purposeful & exciting & like time well spent?” I wanted to create a job that meant something to me and provided space for me to travel and generously love on my family & friends. Read More>>
Heather Montoya
I get my work ethic from my parents. They have taught me to do the job, do it right and don’t give up. When I was little I was always motivated to sell something whether it was chicken eggs, baked goods, homemade bracelets, etc. My parents taught me the value of money early on and how it can quickly be spent or be saved. Family & health is definitely my top priority but having financial security is a priority as well. I own an aquaponics business, called Tribe Country Farms, with my brother in law. We built it from the ground up and it’s been tough to survive against all the big competitors. Read More>>
Dawn L. Brown
My work ethic comes from the women who raised me. My lineage is one of women caring for their families while also supporting their communities, They worked hard, even when they were tired and they listened to God for direction. My paternal grandmother was a maid and a social justice activist, successfully fighting to establish the first Black school and starting an NAACP chapter in her small town. She grew up in a time when the odds were stacked against her but she did all of this while being a wife and raising ten children. Read More>>
Cierra Turner
My work ethic is honestly rooted in my upbringing. I grew up around family members who ran their own businesses or were very involved in the community, so I’ve seen the impact of discipline, consistency, and going above and beyond. Also, I’ve naturally just always been someone who is driven by goals. I enjoy creating, solving problems, and turning ideas into something real. I’m grateful for any opportunity to learn and grow. Read More>>
Matese Fields
In my younger life, my work ethic came from wanting to prove people wrong. When I was a child I was always being told what I wasn’t going to be able to do, and I made it my mission to prove them wrong everytime. I was a pretty accomplished musician back in high school (all-county, all-state, honor bands etc) and I knew that I wanted to go to college for Music Education. I remember my high school guidance counselor telling me that I had to be good at music to get into music school. Read More>>
Steelo I.B.
I’d say I get my work ethic from my father. Watching how hard he worked made me understand the importance of consistency. I understood it been but it didn’t actually translate to actual application until later in life. Read More>>
Anna Suprunchik/Chinikaylo
My work ethic comes from my upbringing and my journey as an immigrant. I was raised to value resilience, responsibility, and doing everything with excellence—no matter how small the task. That mindset has never left me. I carry it into every part of my business, especially in how I serve my clients. I also deeply believe that my gifts and opportunities are from God, so I feel a personal responsibility to steward them well. I don’t cut corners—I pour my heart into my work because I know that I’ve been entrusted with capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments that are part of someone’s legacy. Read More>>
Rebecca Steighner
I draw my work ethic from my parents, both of whom were business owners in the arts. My father was a lighting designer, and my mother was a floral designer, so I was fortunate to witness firsthand their dedication to their craft from a very young age. They both demonstrated a remarkable attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to doing things right. Watching them build their businesses and pour so much care into their work set a strong example for me. It taught me that true excellence comes from diligence and passion, and that the effort you put into every aspect of your work truly matters. Read More>>
Kanda Persaud
My mother who was a school teacher thats retired now, went to work without fail . She believed in what she was doing, and she had a passion for her work that was contiguous. Read More>>
Enrique Brito
My work ethic comes from the urgency to express the invisible emotions, life cycles, and human connections that can’t always be translated into words. I paint because I need to understand and transform what I feel. I work from inner chaos, from the fire of the unconscious, but with the discipline of someone who knows that every stroke is a spiritual and biological search. Consistency allows me to engage with the unknown, and art becomes a vital, almost ritual act. I don’t work only when I’m inspired I work because art is my way of breathing. Read More>>
Elena Yang
I grew up in a family where work came before holidays, socializing, or anything else. My mom really instilled that mindset in me from a young age. I remember her sitting down with me on the weekend to practice writing the English alphabet when I was four years old, then driving me to my gymnastics lesson. As I watched my mom grow her business through persistent hard work while raising me, I carried those values with me in my pursuits. I practiced chess for six years before I won my first trophy, placing third in the Canadian Youth Chess Championship. Read More>>
Ray Sheehan
While being very young at 18 years old, some may say I defy the odds work ethic wise. Being a performing and recording musician for over Two years, people often find themselves asking “Where does all of your drive come from?” To put it simply, every day I get up with a strong hunger to win. Whether that be to practice for hours on end, upload countless social media posts, or to have a vigorous rehearsal with my band. At the end of the day I want to be the best version of myself that I can be. Read More>>
Chante’l Armstrong
I get my work ethic from a deep sense of purpose and the values instilled in me by my family and community. Growing up, I was taught that showing up, being consistent, and doing your best, whether someone is watching or not, speaks volumes about your character. My commitment to service, equity, and impact pushes me to lead with intention in every role I take on. Whether I’m mentoring, managing a team, or organizing a community event, I approach the work with integrity, accountability, and a drive to leave things better than I found them. Read More>>
Shannon Paul
I think my work ethic was shaped early on by my family and life circumstances. My dad passed away when I was just five, and I was raised by my mom, who was a single parent and a relentless provider. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs, so I saw firsthand what it meant to take ownership, take risks, and build something from the ground up. Watching my mom juggle everything—putting food on the table, creating stability for us, and still showing up with strength and grace—instilled something powerful in me. Read More>>
Justin Wilson
I come from a family where hard work was the standard, not the exception. That drive was built into me from day one — to show up, give it everything, and never settle. It’s that energy that’s fueled my growth, opened doors, and keeps me chasing bigger goals every day.. Read More>>
APRIL TURGEON
I get my work ethic from my Eastern European roots! I think it’s in our blood, ha ha. I grew up watching the women in my family working in the kitchen, the garden and their businesses so I find good old fashion hard work to be so l fulfilling! Read More>>
Margaret Rye
My earliest memories are of my brothers my parents dogs and heavy equipment, motorcycles, engines and transmissions in various stages of movement, repair and disrepair. My life was surrounded by activity busy people working and living life. My mother made our food from sctatch and sewed our clothes, pants, shirts, dresses. She also went to college full time in Anchorage. Our home was 54 miles north of Anchorage at this time so my parents enrolled my younger brothers and I in school in Anchorage. Read More>>
Vanessa Deets
My work ethic? 100% from my mom.
She raised me on her own, and we started our journey together with absolutely nothing when I was about four years old. I vividly remember our small one bedroom apartment—we shared a bed, ate meals on the floor because we didn’t have furniture, and there were weeks when a 50 cent candy bar at the store was simply out of the question. Read More>>
Brittany Baumanis
As a self proclaimed artist I have spent my whole life looking for beautiful things, finding means to create beautiful things, or finding ways to emphasize and curate existing beautiful things. It’s something that I have always felt a determined and insatiable compulsion to do. I have explored and enjoyed many outlets in the way of the fine arts, but my work ethic comes from striking the balance between finding a medium which I truly love and have a passion for, and which serves a need and desire within the community. Read More>>
Anthony Samuel
“Where Do I Get My Work Ethic From?”
When asked where my work ethic comes from, the answer is simple but the story runs deep. I watched my parents commit themselves to their jobs every day for over thirty years. They never complained, never cut corners they just showed up, consistently and faithfully, until they reached retirement. That kind of dedication leaves an imprint. Read More>>
Dylan Hayes
I don’t really think of what I do as “work” in the traditional sense. I’m either practicing, writing, rehearsing, teaching, or performing—but it all feels like part of the same creative drive. My work ethic comes from a deep love for the music and the process of constantly growing as a musician.
To stay inspired and creative, I make it a priority to practice the piano daily. That includes transcribing the masters, expanding my repertoire, and spending focused time composing and arranging—especially for big band, which has become a true passion of mine. Read More>>
Leah Kogen Elimeliah
Being an immigrant, coming from then Communist Russia, I think growing up I had a different understanding of what it means to work hard, learn to be responsible, reliable, a leader, organized, and overall committed to the work I do, any work. For me it is crucial to stand firm by my convictions, including a strong work ethic, which really sheds light on one’s character, their interaction with others and showing how much one actually cares about the work that they do. Read More>>
