Research Paper about Work Ethic

Do you know someone that is successful? What qualities have you used to define this individual's success? It is most likely based on their grades, career, or lifestyle. What has led them to have these things? Do they have a pleasant demeanor? Are they confident and eloquent? Are they organized, productive, and respectful? Or are they negative, often late completing tasks, impolite, and prone to procrastination? I'm inclined to believe that your answer is the first option. Attitude, confidence, communication, organization, and other qualities reflect not only the characteristics of a successful individual, but also the values of having a strong work ethic. As illustrated by a multitude of literary works and media, a person who has a strong work ethic is generally successful. We often use these terms interchangeably. 

As per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, work ethic is the “set of values centered on the importance of doing work and reflected especially in a desire or determination to work hard.” They define success as “ a favorable or desired outcome or the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” Success and work ethic are usually linked. Success necessitates productivity, integrity, punctuality, and a plethora of other qualities; which are innately difficult to achieve in humans. To have a good work ethic, you must work diligently. Thus, you must have a strong work ethic to succeed. Is it always the case that this statement is correct?

To examine the statement: you must have a strong work ethic to succeed, I will examine the displays of work ethic and success in literature. Characters in a myriad of works strive to meet their goals. For example, in Mabel Earp Carson's novel, Song of the Trail, a group of camperos encounters a lump sum of difficulties. To travel to their next camp area, they'll have to put in a lot of effort. The chapter Troubles of the Trail says, “ The long drag of three days without water for the sheep was ended for the time. They had pushed them five miles that day to make it. Everyone, including the sheep, the burros, the goats, and the men were very tired” (p.39). The group had achieved its goal of obtaining water and reaching the campground. Due to their hard work, they succeeded. 

As displayed, work ethic and success are intrinsically connected. Now that we know that we need a strong work ethic to be successful, how do we develop one? According to the Georgia Piedmont Technical College, appearance, attitude, character, communication, cooperation, organizational skills, productivity, respect, and teamwork. While the concept of success is frequently subjective, work ethic is unmistakably defined. Success might mean to be content. It might mean to have strong relationships. It might mean to be wealthy or to do well in school. Whatever the situation may be, you will need to put in a lot of effort to reach your goals. To build strong connections, you must communicate. To get excellent grades, you must study and finish your demanding homework. The path to success  is long and narrow. You must sacrifice and work assiduously to accomplish your goals.

According to Pele, a renowned Brazilian soccer player, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Pele's comment serves as a model of achievement and work ethic to be appreciated and emulated. This quotation reminds us that we must love what we do, learn, sacrifice, and continue in order to attain greatness.

A successful individual, according to Bill FitzPatrick, founder of the American Success Institute, is "strong when toughness is necessary and patient when understanding is required." The extraordinary successful people are distinguished from the mediocre by their solid judgment and reasoning. As a reader, you may be questioning if you are successful in any aspect of your life and if success is even possible. Possibly you view success as too much work. Research shows that it is not simple to achieve success, and few people are successful. Nonetheless, success is possible. Success, like everything else in life, takes time and effort; no one achieves greatness quickly. True success requires a strong work ethic.