Nature vs Nature - Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Is work ethic is a matter of nature or nurture?  I think it is both.  Kids whose parents work hard, usually work hard themselves.  Kids are usually a reflection of their parent’s work ethic.  But are the kids hard workers because they are taught to work hard or because it is in their genes?  I guess that is the question.  If a hard work ethic is a genetic trait, it is by far the most valuable trait possible, just behind baldness-haha.  If you love to work hard, anything is possible.  We are all different and are motivated in different ways.  one’s work ethic is probably a reflection of what they plan to accomplish.

i grew up believing I could do anything I wanted if only I worked hard enough.  winning the Olympics wasn’t a dream of mine, it was a goal.  Because of the positive support I was given I feel like I knew I was going to win the Olympics.  there is a fine line in parenting between putting expectations on a kid and supporting them and pushing them to try to be the best they can be.  I think I have blogged on that idea before but it is an important one so I won’t go into it tonight.

My parents expected a lot out of my bros and I growing up, but I can’t put a finger on what exactly they did to help us love hard work.  We were held accountable for our actions and expected to contribute and work. I am a big believer in tough love.  As my wife and I raise a family I hope to instill the love of hard work in my children.

Writer Stanley G. Ellis dicussed this in a speech and said, “My dad taught us to work hard. We worked hard all the time and it became a habit. We even worked on holidays! One year between Christmas and New Year, we built a mile and a half of fence out on the ranch in the snow. But my dad taught us how to make work enjoyable. He taught us a little song that said, “Sing as you work, and work will be play.” So we sang all the time while we were working, and that way we learned the joy of working hard and seeing a job well done. I have found throughout my life that being able to work hard is very important in anything we do.”

Finding a way to enjoy the hard work is huge.  We don’t always have to love what we are doing to work hard.  A lot of the time there is simply a job that must be done out of necessity.  You can see instant progress in a lot hard work.  But in sports and life, you don’t always see the progress quite as clearly.  You know it is coming, but you have to have faith.  You have to have faith that you are accomplishing something and taking a step closer to your goal.   Working towards goals is a lot of fun.

nature or nurture?  food for thought

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” Gen. 3:19

“He that would have fruit must climb the tree.”  Thomas Fuller

“For purposes of action, nothing is more useful then narrowness of thought combined with energy of will.”  Henri Frederic Amiel

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