The summer sun and winds burned my arms, face and back as I bent down to pick yet another rock from its earthen home where it most likely had rested for many generations. To this day, I can remember how hot, sweaty, and back-breaking that job of picking multitudes of rocks from the fields of our north central Minnesota farm was for me as a teenager. It wasn’t a job I necessarily wanted to do. I simply did it because my dad said to. I guess he thought it would build my character. At the time, I couldn’t see how that could be, and yet, because I knew my dad, I continued to do what he had instructed me to do.

Years later I can fondly reflect on those days as being an incredible opportunity for character building. Learning to obey, and honor my fathers requests, directions and rules with a right attitude, were life changing for me.

Teaching me to work hard with a good attitude was the best thing my dad could have ever have done for me. I have taken the concept of hard work and shared it with my children, and they, too, have come to understand the character building benefits of working hard. Our children are all very hard workers who contribute to society in a positive manner. I am so glad I succeeded in passing this on and now I hope to see it passed on to yet another generation, as I influence my grandchildren.

Whatever work you do, it is absolutely vital to possess a strong work ethic. Being productive and able to produce positive results through your work, is a key element of success and satisfaction in this life.

I have heard it said, you build a backbone two ways when you work hard–and it’s true. There’s not many things more satisfying and character building than knowing you have put in a good day’s work. And when it’s done with the right attitude, you know you’ve become a better person.