You can have a strong work ethic but not have anything to show for it. If you’re not working toward the proper goals, then that’s not productive at all. How many people work hard, but because they don’t understand what’s important, they don’t get results?
I don’t have a problem with work ethic. I’m on all the time, and I’m always thinking. But I have a lot of experience so I know what’s important.

• Authenticity. Know yourself and find out what you love to do.
• Complaining. I can’t remember ever complaining about the job that I was given to do. I can’t even imagine anybody would question or complain about the job that somebody gave them to do. If your people are complaining, you need to be aware and pay attention to what your subconscious is telling you. If you have a pang, know that it’s driving you to make decisions about their employment with you.
• Dedication. Whatever I do, I want to be the very best at it, and eventually it’s going to pay off.
• Expectation. Set a high standard for yourself. Find out what people expect from you, and exceed it!
• Opportunity. Take every chance to show off, to blow people away. You need to impress them. Everybody is watching you all the time, so work the hardest you can. Use any opportunity to showcase yourself.
• Self-discipline. This takes work!
  

If you’re working in your family business, you need to be better than every other employee in that company—in every possible way. If not, you’ll have no respect from anybody. You know why? Because you’re the owner’s son or daughter, and that’s why you’re there. And in many cases, it’s true, it was given to you. So, as a family member, you need to work hard to earn the respect.

A strong work ethic is great, but you need to know what you’re working on, and why you are working on it. I worked 12-, 14-, and 20-hour days building up my business, trying to make it work, but I had no plan then. I just said to myself, “I know I can work, and I can work hard.” What are you working on? Is it going to really take you where you want to go? What’s your plan?

I guarantee you, if I worked at McDonald’s sweeping floors, making hamburgers, taking orders, or whatever it is, people would notice me. Instantly, they would notice me. I would be arriving early, and I would be staying late. I’d be working harder than everybody. I’d have a better attitude because I know if I do everything I need to do, somebody’s going to notice. Somebody’s going to say “Hey, you know what? Why don’t you come over here? Why don’t you throw out the trash?” Okay, no problem. Could it have been a test to see how I’d handle that task? I’d go out there and I’d be throwing out the trash. And everybody would be smiling. I’d be like, “Hey, I’ll get that trash for you at the same time.” You would notice me. It’s a work ethic. It’s positive, and it’s authentic. Because I know I need to be really, really good at it, and eventually it’s going to pay off.
—Mike Holt