While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that everyone is just ghosting their lives away, we’ve seen countless examples of how strong the work ethic is on every street and in every neighborhood in America. Hard work is alive and well and we asked some of the hardest working folks we know how they developed their work ethic.
David Becker
I developed a strong work ethic from my father and first music teacher who instilled that if you want to achieve something, you have to be prepared but also have to be reliable. Success comes from opportunity meets preparedness. I have also learned from many of my mentors about the strength of having a strong work ethic and it has served me well over the years. Read more>>
Horacio Weschler
My work ethic comes from my experience as an immigrant from Argentina. When I first arrived, I felt like I needed to work extra hard because English was my second language. Over time, as my English improved, I kept up that strong work ethic, which really helped boost my confidence, and shape me into the person that I am today. Read more>>
Kevin Fleming
From my parents. They both worked extremely hard to provide a great life for our family. I learned early on that if there was something I wanted to achieve, I was going to have to put the work in. One of the main reasons I’ve been able to succeed as an artist is because of the work ethic and drive my parents instilled in me. Read more>>
Christian Di Cesare
I’d say my work ethic comes from a mix of passion and necessity. I’ve always been driven by a deep love for making music, and that passion keeps me motivated. During the pandemic, when things were a bit uncertain, I decided to channel my energy into my music. Seeing the positive response from my YouTube channel, like gaining subscribers and views, really fueled my drive. Plus, I’ve always believed that consistency is key, so I make sure to stay disciplined and keep pushing forward every day. Read more>>
Becky Jewell
When I lived in Houston a few years ago, I was out on a run in a park and I saw a piece of paper on the ground, it was a coloring assignment for a student. It seemed interesting to me, so I looked at it more closely. What it ended up being was a blank coloring sheet, and it was a reward for completing another coloring assignment well. Read more>>
Logan Tsinigine
I have been fortunate to have many positive influences in my life that molded my work ethic. The foundation of my work ethic started with my parents. My Mother is a carpenter by trade and I’ve worked with her since I was a little guy. I started out getting her the materials and tools that she needed. Over time I was working side by side with her and eventually she just laid out the job and I was the one doing the work. Everything my Mom built was made to last. The measurements were perfect, the wood cuts precise and the assembly strong. I learned that building things the correct way meant more effort was required. Read more>>
Walter Martinez
As a child, (9 years old) I remember my father asking me what I was doing and I replied, “I’m bored” he said, “Really? Let me help you with that” and he put me to clean the yard. He went on to say, “There’s ALWAYS something to do”. At that moment, as a child, I never understood what he meant and in fact, I was upset because I knew I could never be bored again around him. Read more>>
Monique Waugh
Definitely Janice Marlow, my mom. She left home at an early age, and has always made a way for herself. When we(me and my 3 sisters) came into the picture, I think she kicked it into overdrive. She was always working. We didn’t always have what we wanted, but we most definitely had what we needed. She never relied on excuses, emotion, or adversity. She hustled… period. The thing that makes it so inspiring is how she made it look easy. Read more>>
Maria~elena Poblacion Pineda
One’s work ethic can be shaped by many sources including environment, upbringing, and education (formal and “life lessons”). I’m thankful that those three sources in my life are positive, supportive, and encouraging. My most important sources of work ethic are my parents and my relatives. Both of my parents immigrated here from the Philippines. Fulfilling their dream for a better life, they worked hard to establish themselves in the U.S. They faced many challenges coming here, but they never let those challenges affect their confidence, self-respect and drive to establish their careers and reach their goals. Read more>>
Jamie Scheppers
Looking back, my work ethic was very intentionally shaped as a child by my parents and the activities they enrolled me in. First came dance, which started almost immediately after I got out of diapers, and continued until midway through college. I did MANY other activities growing up (piano, softball, voice lessons, musical theater, academic camps, etc…), but dance is always the one that I think of as shaping my personality the most. At one point, I was spending more than 20 hours per week in dance classes or musical theater dance rehearsals. And that was on top of an AP college-prep course load, and other extracurriculars. I have no idea when I slept… Read more>>
Janne Larsen
I grew up on a small farm and we grew most of our food, we logged our land for firewood, we had many animals and there was always work to be done. My mom would wake us up at 5 am every Saturday morning to weed the garden or bale hay or help butcher sheep. As a kid this was torture. One time I snuck in to eat ice cream and I was busted so I slid the ice cream under the counter when my mom came in. Needless to say, it melted everywhere and created a big mess and I got in big trouble. Even with that small setback, everyday on the farm the animals needed to be fed and watered, the fire needed to be tended and all of the other everyday chores were the responsibility of my sisters and I. Read more>>
Shawn Christian
This is a good question to me. I’ve found it can be hard to write music. Writing the actual song isn’t that difficult to many people but to me the hard part about writing music comes from choosing what genre you would like to be known for, getting the right sounds with synthesizers, guitar etc., and finding music you really LIKE to write, not just music that other people would like to hear. This among other things can make writing music difficult. This is why work ethic is so important. To be completely honest I get my work ethic from the fear of not being successful at music. Read more>>
Apryl Payton Gordon
Being a true Southern girl raised by my grandparents, I was taught early on the importance of responsibilities and independence. Part of it has been instilled in me from a young age and the other part is having goals that I want to achieve, and knowing what needs to be done in order to reach those goals. I have 3 growing boys, so I’m constantly thinking about their futures and how the work that I put in now will benefit them in the future and give them a head start into adulthood. Read more>>
Sophia Cochran
My work ethic truly comes from my mom, she was a stay at home mom for the first few years of me and my brother’s lives and even then she always had side hustles, such as working as a Dove Chocolatier. Then toward the end of elementary school she got a job at a remote company first as a writer but was quickly moved up to Human Resources. Watching the way she handles her job and her drive to do the best she can has always been inspiring. There’s never a time that I remember her not being able to make it work and I’ll forever admire her for working her butt off to ensure my brother and I could do anything we wanted to do (within reason of course). Read more>>
Michele Moore
My work ethic is a direct result of my upbringing. My mother, Alma, was an incredibly strong and resilient woman. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York, she instilled in me the importance of hard work and perseverance. Read more>>
Radhika Karandikar
We live in a world that is extremely volatile and unpredictable. There is even more uncertainty in the lives of artists because of the various challenges they face and because of the dynamic nature of the art industry. Through all these walks of life, my dance has been my anchor throughout and I have a very deep faith in it. I am completely myself when I am amidst dance and that is where I find my truth. My dance has taught me to dream and work towards my goals. It has given me a certain confidence and self-worth. But it has also taught me discipline, hard work, respecting people for who they are and staying firmly rooted. Read more>>
Claire Lee
My strong work ethic, instilled by my parents, has been key to my resilience and determination. From a young age, I learned that success only comes from hard work. My mom often reminded me that whatever I wanted to achieve in life required self-discipline and dedication. Raising me along with three brothers was no easy task, and understanding my mom’s strength and hard working nature has always inspired me. Additionally, my dad has successfully run his own wholesale produce business for over 30 years, building it from the ground up and maintaining its growth throughout my childhood and beyond. I am deeply grateful to both of my parents for teaching me the value of hard work. Read more>>
Jayson Benjamin
My work ethic comes from my upbringing and early work experiences. My parents taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and integrity from a young age. They encouraged my brother and me to dive into entrepreneurship and real estate, which ignited my passion for it. By grade school, I understood real estate transactions and contracts because my parents involved us in the process. Read more>>
Ashley Rodriguez
My work ethic comes straight from the grind and hustle that has shaped my journey as a single mother, and now as a wife. Navigating life as a single mom taught me resilience and the importance of hard work. I poured everything I had into raising my kids and building a better future for us. Those long nights and early mornings laid the foundation for my drive. Read more>>
Courtney Williams
I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge and as a kid it was highly focused on history. Asking questions about my ancestors is what got me understanding the importance of hard work and work ethic. My ancestors consist of almost everything from coal miners, nurses, and veterans; to bankers, teachers, and farmers. Read more>>
Kristin Meredith
My mother. My father passed away after a terminal illness when I was 15, and my mom raised me single-handedly. She worked full-time until I was out of college and had no patience for laziness. We lived in the same town until 1996, and I remember calling in sick for work one day after having too much fun the night before. She came to my apartment and told me to get to work immediately. Read more>>
Shamni Dougall
I’ve been so blessed to have so many fierce women leaders and mentors who have come before me; who have taken the time to nourish my skills and holistically develop me. They demonstrated massive awareness and sought me out to support and guide me when I had no guidance. They wanted to see me do well, and they continue to encourage me today, long after we’ve gone our separate paths in careers, they continue to provide mentorship and support. Read more>>
Susan Binkley
My work ethic has been developing since my first job at the age of 15. I could not wait until I could start working and earn a paycheck, which is funny because money has never been that important to me. I think the paycheck represented a job well done, and that was more important to me than the dollar amount. Read more>>
Sharon Secondus
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my Nigerian heritage. Growing up surrounded by incredibly driven and hardworking individuals, if you know a few things about Nigerians – they are hardworking people. I’ve always believed in giving my best, no matter how big or small the job. I’ve always been inspired by my parents’ dedication and perseverance. They instilled in me a strong work ethic that has shaped who I am today. This mentality has fueled my determination to put in the necessary effort to achieve my goals , even when faced with challenges. Read more>>
Michael Morris
As a child, I set out to emulate my role models in music, film and theatre. Once I realized I could achieve a tangible result, with or without the approval or encouragement of my friends, I became solidly independent from the needs to please anyone else but myself. From there, it was merely a matter of discipline to achieve any result I wanted, whether or not anyone like my efforts or not. Ultimately, I found a way to please myself. Mathematically, the odds will be in your favor if simply do the work for its own sake – eventually someone will recognize you. Read more>>
